Is it common for the Audi 3.0 V6's to have noise top ends? I can't take a video/sound recording of it since I don't own the vehicle, but the A4 Avant Quattro wagon I'm looking at had noticeably louder ticking compared to the A4 Quattro sedan. Does anybody else have experience with this?

 

could be nothing. could be sticky valves. could be a bad cam chain tensioner

if you looking to purchase a used vehicle see if the seller will allow you to get an independent mechanical evaluation. find a shop that specializes in euro/Audi. you may pay $100 for them to check it out but it is money well spent if it keeps you from buying somebody else's "problem"

 

My wife's A4 Avant 3.0L doesn't make ticking sounds at all, but I haven't gotten here anywhere near redline. How high of RPM's are we talking?

The engine in my wife's Avant makes a beautiful, throaty growl when you accelerate a hard. I love it!

 

When you say "Cam chain tensioner" are you guys referring to the timing belt tensioner?

 

No, the cam chain tensioner is what the cam chain rides on. If you take your valve covers off, you'll see the cam chain and the tensioner on the back side near the firewall.

The timing belt tensioner is what the timing belt runs around, and is in the very front of the engine.

Often times when the cam chain tensioner is bad, you'll hear a fast "machine gun" clacking sound from the rear of the engine.

Do a search on YouTube for "Cam chain tensioner" and you'll see what I mean.

 

i dont believe the audi 3.0 has a cam chain tensioner... All cams are run off of the timing belt on this engine. As far as the noise goes, I havent heard any noise coming from my engine at high rpm. Sounds like you may have abnormal engine noise going on.

 

Don't buy that car, it has a chewing camlobe on the passenger side. The mentioned car is probably a 2002 right?