2016 Audi A3 small drone/humming sound around 2k rpm

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Tony Bari

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Hey guys I just bought a 2016 Audi a3 2.0t Quattro with 30k miles. I’m still new to the car and learning how it drives etc. I seem to be getting a drone approaching 2k rpm. It starts around 1700 rpm up until 2000 rpm. It doesn’t seem to do it in 1st gear. Mainly in 2nd gear and higher when I’m lugging the car. I don’t really drive aggressive, I drive it slow. When it shifts the sound goes away and it comes back as it’s approaching 2000 again. Than it shifts and goes away and comes back. I don’t know if this is the nature of this cars gearing or what. It sounds like it’s coming from the rear so I was wondering if it could be the haldex. I ordered a haldex flush kit to do since it has 30k anyhow. Any thoughts on this?

I have factory warranty until August so I’m not sure if I should have them look it out. Especially if it’s normal.

Thanks.


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Tony Bari said:
Hey guys I just bought a 2016 Audi a3 2.0t Quattro with 30k miles. I’m still new to the car and learning how it drives etc. I seem to be getting a drone approaching 2k rpm. It starts around 1700 rpm up until 2000 rpm. It doesn’t seem to do it in 1st gear. Mainly in 2nd gear and higher when I’m lugging the car. I don’t really drive aggressive, I drive it slow. When it shifts the sound goes away and it comes back as it’s approaching 2000 again. Than it shifts and goes away and comes back. I don’t know if this is the nature of this cars gearing or what. It sounds like it’s coming from the rear so I was wondering if it could be the haldex. I ordered a haldex flush kit to do since it has 30k anyhow. Any thoughts on this?

I have factory warranty until August so I’m not sure if I should have them look it out. Especially if it’s normal.

Thanks.


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Click to expand...
Caution to the wond take it back explain noise they should do test drive with you

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I’m going back next Saturday. It’s howling and there’s a slight vibration. Only around 2000 rpm. Confused if it’s a wheel bearing or a rear diff or haldex. I was going to service my haldex tomorrow but I might wait now to see what they say.


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I spent all Saturday at the dealer waiting for 2 rear wheel bearings to be replaced and a window regulator for the little air leak I’m getting through the drivers side. Well the car was done and driving home I noticed both problems still exist. I’m a little annoyed. Now I will have to spend another Saturday at the dealer thats 30 miles away. Nobody with an a3 has a similar issue?


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Tony Bari said:
I spent all Saturday at the dealer waiting for 2 rear wheel bearings to be replaced and a window regulator for the little air leak I’m getting through the drivers side. Well the car was done and driving home I noticed both problems still exist. I’m a little annoyed. Now I will have to spend another Saturday at the dealer thats 30 miles away. Nobody with an a3 has a similar issue?


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I get the slight wind noise drivers side apparently it's a common fault. I also have heko wind deflectors which doesn't help th2 situation but I've learned to live with it

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heloo said:
Does this happen when you accelerate or during steady corse?
Click to expand...

It’s when I accelerate. Approaching 2k it comes on. When it up shifts and the rpms go down it gets quieter and than gets loud again around 2k. It’s most noticeable in the higher gears 3-6. In 6th if I stay at the speed that keeps the rpm at 2-2200 rpm I can keep the sound constant. It’s definitely a drone that’s actually pretty loud.

Every now and again if I’m in top gear and I just let off the gas, it will make the drone as the rpms are coming down naturally, around 2k.

In neutral I can rev it freely at all rpms and there’s no drone.



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I had the same problem at the same rpm range but mine is a diesel with manual gearbox.Is your manual also?
 
Well I rescheduled another service app for this upcoming Saturday. The service manager called me and told me it would be better to come during the weak as “master techs” work weekdays and not weekends. With her advice, I took a half day from work today and drove another hour back to the shop to get in. I get there and guess what? It was the same tech who’s been working on my car. I was a bit mad I missed a half day of work for this but I continued on. Now the tech swears the car sounds much better since he replaced the rear bearings. He did a complete 180 from the first day where he said he heard the noise and it’s not normal. Today he said he thinks it’s just exhaust. He did not want to compare it to any other a3s on the lot today. He put it on the lift and said he inspected the exhaust and drivetrain and it all looks fine besides the fact I have “3 bent rims” that he thinks are the culprit. I’m getting a little fed up with this. I just bought this car from them a month ago. Not only that but I’m pretty sure bent rims would vibrate and shake all the time, not just under load. The sound is definitely not normal. I’m giving it one last go at a different Audi dealer that’s much closer to home. I made the appointment and told them this other dealer was in the middle of diagnosing the problem but it’s just to far for me to continue traveling too. Hopefully there’s no issue with warranty


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My last A3 2.0tdi fwd suffered with droning noise, worse at certian speeds, and certain road surfaces. It was the rear tyres. It is commonly known as fifty pencing, Worse so with certain tyre brands. The camber caused the tyres to hex shape. Id well imagine bent rims to vibrate, but also to create noise. Can they try putting new round wheels on and see if that quietens the noise
 
sportback A3 said:
My last A3 2.0tdi fwd suffered with droning noise, worse at certian speeds, and certain road surfaces. It was the rear tyres. It is commonly known as fifty pencing, Worse so with certain tyre brands. The camber caused the tyres to hex shape. Id well imagine bent rims to vibrate, but also to create noise. Can they try putting new round wheels on and see if that quietens the noise
Click to expand...

I have new rims and tires that I happened to be putting on anyway. I will install them early next week and go from there


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I’m already almost giving up. My car was at Audi for a week. They replaced the resignator(silencer), piping, mufflers and tips all under warranty. They swore up and down it was fixed. Of course driving it for a bit and I noticed it is still there. They are saying it’s a characteristic of the A3 now. I’ve wanted this car for over a year and a half and now I’m regretting buying it. All the A3s in this forum and nobody knows if their car drones a bit approaching 2k rpm?


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