Audi 8L S3 2001 - Rattle noise on startup and at low revs - ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE

[david86]

My car has developed a rattle on cold startup which from reading on the forum is most likely the cam chain tensioner. There is also a rattling noise coming from the engine only when the engine is warm and under low revs between 1.5k to 3.5k.

The noise is coming on under low revs in neutral as well as in gear.

The car is on 86k and has recently had a 10k service. Previous owner (8 years) to me has serviced the car every year and has on average covered around 6k miles between services. I have also recently had the oil pick up pipe checked which was fine and not blocked.

The car appears to otherwise drive fine, engine pulls well,no flat spots etc...

If there is anymore info you need to know please ask.

Here are a couple of videos below, one for cold startup and the other with light in-gear acceleration.

Audi 8L S3 - Startup noise when engine cold. - YouTube - Cold startup noise.

Audi S3 engine noise under load - YouTube - Noise when revved in gear and in neutral.


Any advice is much appreciated

 

[<tuffty/>]

Cam chain tensioner... its ****** dude... had the same on mine...

They are a £400 odd part from Audi but I got one from GSF for just over 250 IIRC and works fine... just don't buy the cheap ebay ones... they are tempting at just over 100 quid but they are quite frankly rubbish...

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER 023VG0140

<tuffty/>

 

[david86]

Thanks for the feedback. I wanted to get a few opinions first however I did have one of the GSF tensioners fitted, brand new by my mechanic however it was causing more of a rattle that it currently does. It sounded like a tractor apparently even after a quick run! The mechanic refitted the part 3 times with still no success! I am trying to hold back from spending ~£435 on a tensioner which may only be contributing to the startup noise.

I may have just been unlucky with a defective part, now that you say a GSF part has been OK for you I guess it might be worth giving it another try.

Cam chain tensioner... its ****** dude... had the same on mine...

They are a £400 odd part from Audi but I got one from GSF for just over 250 IIRC and works fine... just don't buy the cheap ebay ones... they are tempting at just over 100 quid but they are quite frankly rubbish...

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER 023VG0140

<tuffty/>

 

[<tuffty/>]

Humm... it could also be the oil pump so check your oil pressure (need to test it with an oil pressure gauge) and there is also a non return valve in the oil filter housing that can get iffiy...

You could also be suffering from blocked oilways as there is no way a new tensioner should rattle... also check the oilway tot he tensioner is not blocked as have seen this fill of sealant before... little or no sealant is required to refit the tensioner when using a new gasket which you should everytime

<tuffty/>

 

[david86]

Thanks again tuffty. After further inspection this evening I have discovered the noise is occurring also when revved in neutral. Seems to be coming from the top part of the engine. I guess first things first it to do an oil pressure check then go from there....

 

[david86]

All fixed! I replaced the cam chain tensioner and it resolved this issue. I have now discovered another problem now, on to the next!

 

[Scullies]

Glad to hear its sorted, GSF or Audi part?

Finding more issues is what owing an old performance car is about

 

[david86]

I replaced it with a GSF part which I got for a price I couldn't refuse!

True I guess, I have spent my fair time in previous years adding/tweaking things on cars so I guess I could see this as another project

Glad to hear its sorted, GSF or Audi part?

Finding more issues is what owing an old performance car is about

 

[Scullies]

A3 are projects, its more of a love affair with an S3

 

[david86]

Haha. The S3 has been more of a love-hate relationship almost since the day I bought it so far.....