The car is a 2002 A4 3.0L with about 90,000 miles, its my sisters. When the car is turned on after sitting for awhile, there is a very annoying whining sound coming from the engine bay. After it warms up, the sound goes away. The power steering pump has been replaced twice already.

1st ? - could the annoying noise be the power steering pump? If yes, why does the pump need to be replaced so often?

2nd ? - I scanned with the vag-com and found these codes:
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Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 8E0-820-043.lbl
Part No: 8E0 820 043 G
Component: A4 Klimaautomat 0912
Coding: 00000
Shop #: WSC 63351

2 Faults Found:
01274 - Air Flow Flap Positioning Motor (V71)
41-10 - Blocked or No Voltage - Intermittent
00604 - Potentiometer Positioning Motor for Air Flow Flap (G113)
30-10 - Open or Short to Plus - Intermittent

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not really sure about them, but could it have anything to do with my next question

3rd ? - I opened the hood and found what appeared to be braided vac lines that are really worn out (see pics), I have some silicon hose that I used to replace the vac lines in my b5 1.8t, are these lines the same size?

4th ? - the lines run into what appeasr to be a valve (see ? in pic), there are two of them, maybe a noob question, but what are they for?

Thanks in advance if you can help me on any of these questions.

 

bump

anyone know if the braided hoses are the same as the 1.8t b5? they are in such bad shape that I dont want to take them off unless I know I can replace them right away

 

vac lines on B6 are braided and rot with time due to engine bay heat. replaced mine with 3.5mm silicone but can probably use 4mm. Replace yes, it affects performance. I would also replace any valves that are damaged.

The codes you posted are for the HVAC vent flaps in the dash, etc. The flaps get stuck or don't work and it throws a code. No big deal. Mine does it.

The noise can be anything. Lift the hood and try to locate the area. It could be something like your serpentine belt or your crappy vac lines whistling.