1994 Audi 80 2.0 E

[farflungfish]

Hello all,

I have a 1994 Audi 80, 2L Manual with 182 000 miles and counting on the clock

All seems to be in pretty good order - a few minor problems but nothing that cannot easily be overcome - except 1 very annoying one!

As i drive along there is a horrible high pitch whining sound that get more intense and louder the faster you go. The noise seems most powerful at about 50 odd miles an hour (but by the time you get up to 70 / 80 it becomes hard to hear over the motorway noise)

I am 100% certain that this noise is NOT coming from the engine - This conclusion I have reached as i have taken the car up to 50 on a long straight road and turned the engine off and just coasted along in neutral - the noise remains and as the car slowed down the noise gradually quietened and faded.

The sound certainly seems to be coming from the front portion of the car, but it is impossible to tell where it is coming from.

I really want to keep this car going till the end of its days but am having to contemplate getting rid of it based on this noise alone! (I drive 3 odd hours a day and it is very grating indeed!)

Any clues and ideas would be gratefully received

Many thanks in advance

James

[kenney]

Sounds like a wheel bearing,jack the front end up,and spinn one wheel around as fast as you can. do the same with the opposite side see if you hear any differance

[dos]

I would back Kenny's diagnosis,one of your wheel bearings (hopefully not more) has given up.

[paul20v]

there is one more option diff bearing are not unheard of but i hope you have a wheel bearing

[dos]

You're so right Paul, but the thought of the possible cost and time to repair James' car could have weighed heavily on his mind so I left that bit out, lest he decided to just get rid of it.

A belated reply, but I don't get to this comp. very often.

dos.

[TDi-iac]

More probably than not the wheel bearing, (diff. bearings wearing out are quite rare). If it's more noticable when cornering then it is certainly one of the front bearings, and easy enough to replace. Rear nearside bearing is long overdue replacing in mine, and beginning to affect braking, dum de dum...!!