I just picked up my new 2007 A8, a demo with 3000miles on it, however, there is an annoying tapping from the motor at idle, i cannot here it in the car but when I am outside I hear it like a Toyota motor with 80K on it, tap,tap,tap,tap,tap,tap, it almost sounds like a lifter or tappet problem or a cam that was not broken in correctly, is this a common sound on the 4.2 V8 or haveI got a problem?

Thanks in advance for your reply.

 

Its not tapping, your hearing the FSI (direct fuel injection) injectors fire.
FSI motors are built more like a diesel engine, where the very large injectors fires fuel into the cylinder using a high pressure fuel pump. See the two pumps on top of the engine?
Its still a lot quieter than a diesel engine though.
Its normal is what im trying to say.

 

thanking you Sir,

i appreciate the information, puts my mind at rest.

Thanks