If it is SEVERELY loud like a diesel (and goes away after 3-4K rpm or so), then it could be a dead timing belt tensioner allowing the belt to slap around. I had this on my 98 sedan and I caught it before it shredded the belt.

 

i just got some quotes on the price to do the timing belt and i got prices from 300-800! lol i think im going to go with the 300$ shop. Its called TT auto repair FOREIGN & DOMESTIC so hopefully thay know what they doing. Well anyhow he said dont worry about the water pump? and is the tensioner part of the process of doing the belt? how much is the tensioner

 

The water pump should be replaced at the same time as the timing belt. I'd get those both done sooner than later. The tensioner should be replaced with the timing belt, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it will be. Specify that to the mechanic. If the noise you are hearing is in fact lifter noise, Audi has identified an oil sludge problem on 1.8t's that will cause lifter noise. I experienced this myself and after I replaced the pickup and pump the lifter noise went away completely.

 

whats the pick up? pump as in water pump or the oil pump

 

I would worry about the quote of $300 to be too low. I will take the car somewhere else. The timing belt and water pump plus thermostat must be all replaced at the same time. it will save you labour cost if you do it now.
I changed the oil and the filter (bigger filter now) on my car and the lifter noise disappeared. It was not the tensioner or the belt that was causing the diesel sound on my car because I had the belt replaced before the noise showed up.

 

well im not sure if this would have caused it, but the last time i changed the oil, my dad told me it didn't matter if i mixed the 10-30w oils with the 5-30w. Both was synthetic oil by mobil, could this be the reason?

 

No that isn't the reason. Basically you should have your car checked up by a Euro mechanic if you are concerned. We can try to troubleshoot all day, but trying to describe sounds over the internet is only so effective.

 

Just a thought. It could be the one thing under the plastic cover near the air filter. I dont have a digi cam, but once in a while a ticking noise does come from that area for my 99 2.8 Q.

Jestnomen can you help me out here. Do you happen to have a pic of the right side of the engine near the edge, about half way up. Its like a small sqaure (looks like a fuse connection or somethign) under the plastic cover. The air filter is there. I am really trying to describe the location of it so that Jestnomen can post a pic I can show you guys what I am talking about. Well if you have a pic of it Jest it would be great so that i can point out what i am talking about....If not..then I guess I cant show you guys untill I find a pic of that part of B5 engine.

I have been goign crazy trying to find one on the net..but cant...

 

Does this help?

 

OWDI is talking about the Evap Purge valve, on top of the Ignition Amplifier unit. Yes that ticks as it opens and closes (very cyclic and even) and that is normal, especially in colder temperatures.

The valve routes evaporated fuel vapor into the intake tract so that it gets burnt off instead of leaking into the atmosphere.