Just purchased this car, here in MI, not that cold, just under 30, noticing when it's cold, car has about 1 second of lifter noise when I start it. 5-40 oil, I think he put in Mobil-1. I do plan on using Amsoil, but wasn't going to change it since it's not due for 2000 miles.

Thoughts?

 

cam tensioners are leaking down. one or both of them

 

This is not lifter noise. To expand on the other reply, the timing belt turns one cam on each side. Between the cams (front right and left rear) is a chain which turns the other cam.

There is a cam tensioner that uses oil pressure to move chain slack up or down, thus changing the valve timing (variable based on load, speed etc, per ECU). The chain rides on nylon "shoes" which push the slack up or down to adjust. Sometimes the oil seals behind the tension leak down. On first start up until oil pressure is up, you will hear clatter. Audi has told owners not to worry about this as it goes away in a few seconds. Still, it's annoying AND can cause a big problem.

The nylon shoes wear and sometimes break. It is a major job to remove the tensioner to replace seals and/or replace the shoes.

Here is a link with pictures and how-to. It's not for the faint of heart. The shoes can be sourced by themselves but I don't have a link to that. Someone on here should be able to point you to a supplier.

quattroworld.com Forums: Replacing cam chain tensioner and/or pads on bank #1 of 40V motor (shorter cut)...

 

Turns out that my car doesn't have the shoes. I opened the valve cover up.