cam tensioners
 

Does anyone have a diagram of the cam tensioners. When I start my car up on a cold morning I hear rattling like the cam chains for about 2-3 seconds and then it goes away. I am not sure how the tensioners work, do they work from spring pressure or what. It is a 2001 2.8 with 139,000 on it.

They work via magic. You need a whole new one if it's loose. Get it via PureMS.

Incorrect. They are pressure regulated. I spoke to an audi tech about it. thats why it only happens when the car is idling or cold. It goes away later right?
The only time you would NEED to replace it is if it clicks the entire time youre driving.

It wouldn't hurt to replace it, but why spend the money if its unnecessary?

If youre doing your timing belt you can do it at the same time. but other than that its prob not something you really want to get into.

Correct, it only happens on initial start up. I know my cam tensioner gaskets are leaking but, I was hoping to get through the winter before replacing.

Well, just about any part has sort of an intermediate period where you know it's starting to fail but it's not bad enough to need replacement right that second. But don't wait TOO long.

what does it sound like cause when i start my car up sometimes it sounds like a heat shield rattling for less then a second, but if i turn my car off after a few min and start back up its gone and it doesn't do it all the time either sorry to tread jack

Same thing on mine, it doesn't do it every time.