1.8TFSI and 2.0TFSI S3 : Metallic Rustle/Rattle between 1500-3000 rpm

I have booked my car in for service and asked them to look into the rattle. They basically told me there and then they won't do anything about it but they will report it anyway and i am to basically put up with the "characteristic". I went down the "how can it be a characteristic if not every engine has it" he couldn't answer and made his excuses and left..
 
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Gorillajebus said:
So to my understanding the rattling noise is created by the wastegate rod which is affected by air flow and vibrations caused by exhaust gases coming out of the turbo.
A bigger downpipe increases the volume and speed in which the exhaust gases can be channelled out of the turbo/engine.

In theory it would decrease the amount of influences the air flow has on the wastegate and maybe even reduce the vibrations.
So couldn't a aftermarket downpipe "fix" the rattling noise by relieving the wastegate-rods?
Click to expand...

Wow I was just going to say since installing my downpipe I can't hear the rattle anymore, used to drive me nuts.
 
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Very interesting findings... and something Audi should be aware of. I think they should offer me a new uprated downpipe and allow my warranty to remain in tact with a remap :)
This would solve my rattle problem and make me very very happy at the same time.
 
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Yep sorry Audi but I had no choice but to go stage 2 to fix the fault you refuse to acknowledge.
:)
 
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AndyB-S3 said:
I have booked my car in for service and asked them to look into the rattle. They basically told me there and then they won't do anything about it but they will report it anyway and i am to basically put up with the "characteristic". I went down the "how can it be a characteristic if not every engine has it" he couldn't answer and made his excuses and left..
Click to expand...

That's exactly what they told me aswell mate. Even the yellow S3 saloon they have as a demo does it and thats what they are basing it on. Grrrrrr its doing my nut in now cause thats all i can hear when i drive it and ive only done 700 miles
 
So in the german forums a lot of people using the HJS downpipe reported that he rattling was gone.
I think it's worth a try but I don't want to compromise my warranty.
It will expire in August this year anyway.
Still afraid that Audi won't cover any potential turbo damages even after the warranty is over.
My Audi contact said that if my car has a broken turbocharger (702 N) after the warranty, they will try and get Audi to pay for some of the charges. (accomodation enquiry).
 
Have this noise too,
2,200 miles, 1 month old S3 Saloon.

Will be keeping an eye on this thread :)
 
Had my S3 10 days now, done 900 miles (500 on the first day). I'm not 100% but I think I may have the rattle. As it is I can live with it because if I do indeed have it, it is so quiet I can barely here it with the window down and stereo off, but then it might be my ears playing tricks because I've been trying to listen out for it! Anyway I've decided that I'm not going to listen out for it anymore but if one day I can definitely here it or what I think I can hear is very noticeable and louder then I'll jump on the band wagon and visit the local dealer to at least have it logged. At least then I'll be adding to the case to get something done about it for all the guys that have it worse than others and really want a fix. Unfortunately I don't know anyone else with an S3 to compare, I've never even seen another S3 outside of the showroom!
 
Ive heard this noise in mine since day one. I haven't thought much about it as i work away at sea a lot and car hardly goes anywhere, haven't even thought about it, until my dad mentioned this log about the rattle. The sound is similar to when we work on larger turbos on the boat whilst removing the rotors from the turbo housing, these aren't easy to remove and always you hear a blade rest or catch the casing, with quite a harmonic ring to it, I am just wondering if the tolerance aren't correct for when the turbo spools up.
 
I have realised I definitely have it, it's got louder than when I first thought it may be there. It definitely wasn't there the first 5 or 6 days From collection. Now it's Still quiet enough not to bother me though, it kind of sounds like a small metal ball bearing rolling around a glass jam jar rolling on its side. I can see that because I've went from nothing to thinking it might be there to definitely being there in less than 3 weeks, it will probably get louder. Will be popping in to Audi after the weekend to report it and get it logged, purely for the fact that if Audi eventually pull there finger out, I would rather no noise if possible. Will post Audi's response in due course.
 
To me it sounds more like the wastegate rattling rather than the turbo blade catching. I've been youtubeing for wastegate videos and I've found one where you can hear the wastegate 'ring' as he opens and closes the wastegate. If you imagine this 'ring' speeded up to, say, ten times, and a metre away then I think it would sound like what I'm hearing on mine:



Since it happens at lowish revs, and not under any real load, there will be no demand for turbo boost: so could the engine management just be opening the wastegate slightly to let any boost out (its not needed under those conditions) and the peak of a standing wave within the pipe just happens to unfortunately resonate with the wastegate and rattle/jiggle it? Maybe this would explain why fitting a different downpipe (and changing the resonanace of any standing wave) would remove the rattle?

I don't know enough about wastegate actuators to know how much force they apply to the wastegate to hold it open / closed / mid-position.

There's just something about the noise that brings to mind the rattling of the lid of a boiling coffee pot on a stove in some old western film I've seen... But speeded up a bit.

The characteristics of a standing wave will change with pressure (so change the engine load and it will go away). Also the characteristics would change if the exhaust back pressure was different (say on a 1.4TFsi rather than S3) and it may be sufficient to add a little extra mass onto the wastegate to hold it - which is why it can be eliminated on a 1.4 by adding a small amount of weight, but not on a S3. Although apparently on an S3 changing the actual downpipe can cure it.

Maybe I'm overthinking this? :think:
 
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Actually reading that sounds pretty spot on.. i do not notice the rattle when really pushing on but I put that down to the increased engine/exhaust noises.. but maybe it does go away!
 
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fastfield said:
To me it sounds more like the wastegate rattling rather than the turbo blade catching. I've been youtubeing for wastegate videos and I've found one where you can hear the wastegate 'ring' as he opens and closes the wastegate. If you imagine this 'ring' speeded up to, say, ten times, and a metre away then I think it would sound like what I'm hearing on mine:



Since it happens at lowish revs, and not under any real load, there will be no demand for turbo boost: so could the engine management just be opening the wastegate slightly to let any boost out (its not needed under those conditions) and the peak of a standing wave within the pipe just happens to unfortunately resonate with the wastegate and rattle/jiggle it? Maybe this would explain why fitting a different downpipe (and changing the resonanace of any standing wave) would remove the rattle?

I don't know enough about wastegate actuators to know how much force they apply to the wastegate to hold it open / closed / mid-position.

There's just something about the noise that brings to mind the rattling of the lid of a boiling coffee pot on a stove in some old western film I've seen... But speeded up a bit.

The characteristics of a standing wave will change with pressure (so change the engine load and it will go away). Also the characteristics would change if the exhaust back pressure was different (say on a 1.4TFsi rather than S3) and it may be sufficient to add a little extra mass onto the wastegate to hold it - which is why it can be eliminated on a 1.4 by adding a small amount of weight, but not on a S3. Although apparently on an S3 changing the actual downpipe can cure it.

Maybe I'm overthinking this? :think:
Click to expand...


Sounds extremely logical to me !!! and that little metal cap he showed us tapping on a metal surface sounds like the exact noise I am hearing!!!!
 
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David83S3 said:
Sounds extremely logical to me !!! and that little metal cap he showed us tapping on a metal surface sounds like the exact noise I am hearing!!!!
Click to expand...
So where from here? Downpipe aftermarket? Continue to pursue with Audi even without a warranty fix? Would appreciate you suggestions Dave to help me on what to do next even though it sounds faint in my S3.
 
Well ive had a call from Audi today and mine and Andys cars are going in to be measured on Friday 15th. I cant really advise on your own situation as each of see the issue maybe slightly differently. For me its Audi's issue and they need to sort it out. others might accept it .....some may not even mind it. Just do what you think is right for you :)
 
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Well guys following my visit to dealer yesterday they are not going to do anything and have put it down as the "characteristic". What they have done though is noticed that my steering is actually a bit iffy and are taking it back in for further testing/work..

anyway the rattle.. tbh since it has been in and checked i actually think it is not nearly as loud. I think they had a play about in turbo area and i am sure seen them in there with a spanner. ..lol. maybe they didn't and its in my imagination but am happy now that its been in and checked anyway and it aint a goosed turbo. Hopefully you get yours sorted David and i did ask the question about the characteristic and why not all have it but they couldn't answer.. uhmmd and ahhd.. but that was it. Anyway i al drivelling.. been out on the bevy so apologies for drawn out message.. ;-)
 
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If that's good enough for you Andy then that's good enough for me and to say to Dave, like Andy, i hope you reach an amicable resolve. No Andy i haven't out been on nectar being awake at this time my job every other Sunday unfortunately starts shortly. #FML
 
You guys should take this to watchdog, like people did with FIAT over the 1.2 that didn't go up hills.

Also could mention about 1.4 COD vibrating like a tractor in 2 cyl! Does for some, doesn't for others - WHY?
 
I doubt watchdog would be interested in a slight engine noise.....that ain't good telly!
 
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David83S3 said:
Well ive had a call from Audi today and mine and Andys cars are going in to be measured on Friday 15th. I cant really advise on your own situation as each of see the issue maybe slightly differently. For me its Audi's issue and they need to sort it out. others might accept it .....some may not even mind it. Just do what you think is right for you :)
Click to expand...

Any news David?

I had a call from Audi UK this week to say they have assigned a Customer Relations Manager to 'deal' with my complaint. Suspect I'll get the same initial response as you did...
 
So to conclude the said Clip will not work on our current 8V S3's and we await further news from Audi UK?
 
Imagine an email to VAG with the VIN numbers and names of every single person that has this rattle from all forums ......and then a quick letter to Watchdog :) Maybe that would get thier attention?
 
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I wonder if its worth knocking up a website that can record VIN numbers etc to present to Audi/VW UK and share this on the various VAG forums. At the moment the biggest battle seems to be collecting a list of affected cars in one place to log a complaint they will have to do something about.
 
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I experience the same rattle on mine
Engine:
1.8 TFSI QUATTRO S Tronic
Age: 64 plate 2015
1700 miles on clock from new
Metallic, rattling, chattering noise from 1800 revs trough till about 4k revs or engine/road noise drowns noise out.
Heard notice from early in car ownership. WK 1
Told to let car do at least 1k mikes to run in properly.
Still hearing noise after 1k
Take out master tech at Portsmouth Audi to replicate noise. Tec confirms rattling heard from cabin. Only hear rattle under load/driving not at idle.
Upon collection of car I'm told this is a characteristic of the car and I should complain directly to Audi UK to raise concern. No fix available from workshop.
Rattle still continues to present day.
Contacted Audi roadside recovery as a bulb kept dying and told him about fault and took out for a drive to replicate the fault. Job recorded and unable to resolve. Suggested complain to Audi UK.
After watching watchdog last Monday about the A5 TFSI. I went on their website to send my story. Weather I'll get anything back from them I don't know.
Next stop Audi UK.
I'm also keeping an eye out for 1.8 TFSI at the local Audi garage to take out for a drive to make sure it is a 'characteristic' of the car. A characteristic of the car they forgot to mention to me when i was buying the car. If that one doesnt rattle I have more ammo when I go to complain about the noise that is really starting to P me off.
 
chrise said:
I wonder if its worth knocking up a website that can record VIN numbers etc to present to Audi/VW UK and share this on the various VAG forums. At the moment the biggest battle seems to be collecting a list of affected cars in one place to log a complaint they will have to do something about.
Click to expand...
Would you know where to start with that sort of thing? Or what to do? I don't I'm afraid, but would be happy to record vehice details.
 
It's really strange that the 1.8TFSI can also get this... I'm wondering if even the 1.4 COD will get it (I hope not.. we've got the jolts and vibrations situation that has only just started to get better!) or even the new 2.5TFSI RS3!
 
Not that strange as the 1.8 and 2.0 in the S3 are both EA888 Gen 3 and so pretty similar and both have electronically actuated wastegates. Both also have 8 fuel injectors (in EU spec); 4 direct and 4 indirect. The 2.0 has uprated parts and fancier electronics.
 
Tom8VA3 said:
Would you know where to start with that sort of thing? Or what to do? I don't I'm afraid, but would be happy to record vehice details.
Click to expand...

Yeah I could make this but don't want the hassle of dealing with Audi UK!
 
JohnM100 said:
Not that strange as the 1.8 and 2.0 in the S3 are both EA888 Gen 3 and so pretty similar and both have electronically actuated wastegates. Both also have 8 fuel injectors (in EU spec); 4 direct and 4 indirect. The 2.0 has uprated parts and fancier electronics.
Click to expand...


Ah ok, that adds up then - wait 8 fuel injectors? Wow... do you know how many the 1.4 COD has? Just 4?
 
Hello

I've had this problem since buying my Audi S3 Saloon S-Tronic this year. It's a brand new car with about 2000 miles.

The rasping / rattling turbo waste gate has been acknowledged by 2 Audi centres and I've also had 2 Audi technicians sit in the car with me and comment on the noise. I've complained no end to Audi, and basically they don't give a s**t that this is annoying customers. This is part of a message they sent to me after about 3 letters of compliant:

"Having discussed the technical bulletin with our Technical Support Team, I can confirm that the waste-gate flap and rods on the
turbo charger start to vibrate due to exhaust gas pulsations. These vibrations cause the noises. The function of the boost
pressure control is not affected. The vibration related noise is normal and operational. It is within the tolerance and not
detrimental to the vehicle’s performance. Our Technical Support Team has confirmed that currently there is no plan for any
production change regarding this.
I can confirm that neither of the Audi Centres has found any fault or manufacturing defect on your vehicle. They have concluded
that your vehicle is working as normal. Hence, no further investigation is required on this matter."

An absolutely appalling response from Audi customer service to another dissatisfied Audi customer. This rattling problem exists and is causing distress and displeasure to those who have the issue, therefore Audi should spend a penny and design a simple fix for it!

Not happy. Will be progressing my claim further.
 
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