Just after this weekend with all of the rain that we have been having up here in the north east I started to notice that my engine/drivetrain seems quite a bit noisier then it used to before the car warms up. Everything seems to quiet down after the engine warms up. Is this a common thing for the 4.2s in colder whether?

 

Hmm. I am in the NE too but have not noticed this yet. Are you sure you didn't go through any giantly deep puddles that might have gotten water in your engine? I somehow doubt that would be it though bceause that would probably stall your engine completely right?

I am curious, how long do you wait for your car to warm up before driving it?

One more thing, check that your engine coolant is not low.

I can't think of anything else but I'm new at this too. I've only had my S4 for 6 weeks as of tomorrow.

 

I usually don't wait more then 30 seconds before I drive off but I usually take it easy until the car is warmed up. I just had my car in for 5k service and they said everything is fine. My service rep noted that the 4.2 value gear can be a bit noisy when the car is cold. I don't think I got any water in the engine. My new intake would have prevented that. I think I may just be getting to that point where I think every little noise is some sort of problem. I need to wait for the rain to stop and then take it out for a proper drive and listen for anything. I think that my exhaust might to knocking on something or perhaps even leaking a bit. I am going to have my perfomance guy look over everything when I get my ECU flashed.

 

I'm in the northeast as well. I have not noticed any difference in engine/drivetrain noise. It may be as you said...you start hearing all the little gremlins!

One thing to think about, when it is colder, as the car warms up you are may get more little noises associated with materials expanding at different rates as they warm up. I would think this happens more when the outside temperature is colder since there is a bigger differential between the air temp and the engine/drive train temp...just a thought.

I usually only wait 10-15 secs after start up to get rolling, but I take it easy until the water temp is at it's normal level.

Oh, and I just installed Milltek DPs and Catbaks....resonated...sound great! Thinking about the Hsport sways too...what do you like about them??

 

Not really sure what is to like. I like that they work better then the stock bars. I like the fact that my car doesn't roll as much around corners. I like that they don't affect ride quality.

 

Did you do front and rear?

 

Yup.

 

Ok...I guess I found my next mod...thanks!