s4 cold start noise!

**eugenbd** · 03-04-2009,09:15 PM

hi to you all!, i get a noise from my car when its cold and i start it! but goes after 3-7 seconds after starting, its a rattling sort of noise but quite loud any ideas would be really helpfull. if i start the car and then turn it off and straight back on agian it wont do it again??????

**Crasher** · 03-04-2009,09:19 PM

Timing chain tensioner(s). What year is it?

**eugenbd** · 03-04-2009,09:37 PM

hi its a 2003 with 60k, cam tensoner sounds espensive! engine out job? ps sometimes i turn my key and nothing happens all lights come on but does not crank! no clicks or noise at all

**Crasher** · 03-04-2009,10:11 PM

Yes on the BBK engine this is a very expensive extremely involved long job which takes a huge number of hours and is as you suspect, engine out. It is at this point that you realise that timing chains were not such a great idea over belts just to make the engine two inches shorter. Great idea when new, crap idea when they get older. A3 3.2 owners (and R32) take note, I have seen these do this at 32K!

**eugenbd** · 03-04-2009,10:24 PM

got warranty that covers it but only upto £1000! so is it alot more?
and many thanks for your help

**zeratul** · 03-04-2009,10:24 PM

Hi - I believe there is a common noise at start up on the 1.8. Mine makes a rattling noise for a few seconds every morning and I too looked on here where I first heard it.

Have a look at this thread. If it is the same noise that a lot of people hear then it should be nothing to worry about. But - it wouldn't hurt to have it given a look over.

**Crasher** · 03-04-2009,10:29 PM

Yes the 1.8T can make this noise but if it progresses it can cause valve to piston contact although just using 10w/40 oil can cause the noise even on a brand new genuine VAG engine as I experienced on my own car, changing to 5w/30 stopped the noise. A Leon VT I looked at this week was so bad I advised the customer not to drive it any more, not that he took the blindest bit of notice. On the BBK engine the entire cam train is chain driven, not just the relay between cams and failure of the chains can result in a £10K bill, not something to be taken lightly!

**a8 tech** · 03-04-2009,10:42 PM

i will back crasher up although the s4 has always suffered this brief rattle from cold due to oil pressure not reaching the tensioner from cranking.I would say change the oil first and monitor as i have seen a good oil change rectify this but if the engine must come out then a engine platform is required like we have at Audi and the engine can be lowered as to take the engine out with a crane would be a nightmare,in the last month my workshop has removed 1 s8 1 s6 and 3 3.2 fsi for chain tensioners and engine bay wiring looms,Big jobs with big bills for big boys lol

**Zeb** · 03-04-2009,10:51 PM

My car also makes a rattling noise on cold start for about few seconds, then it goes away. It sounds like one of the cambelt/tensioners is slightly loose and needs adjusting on my car.

Mines a 1.9 TDI

But could be wrong!!!