Weird Noise on cold start up, timing belt?

[Raiketsu]

Hey guys,

I've had this weird noise happen on cold starts, like the first time I start the car each day, or after it has been sitting for a while and the engine cools down all the way (which is virtually impossible in the day here in Georgia...) Anyway, I took a quick video with my iPhone and surprisingly enough you can very clearly hear it. Here it is:



Any help/input is appreciated, thanks!

Edit: I'd like to add that I have not noticed any differences when I drive. Still runs like a champ!.........at 130,5xx miles lol

[PSU S4]

weird is the sound you are referring to at 0:06? It could be something on the accesory belt. Is your A/C on when you initally turned it on? could be that or pwr steering possibly

[Raiketsu]

weird is the sound you are referring to at 0:06? It could be something on the accesory belt. Is your A/C on when you initally turned it on? could be that or pwr steering possibly

Yes right around 0:06, the weird grindy/rubby noise. And my AC is not on. Thanks for the quick input, anyone else have anything?

[R3V3NANT]

Just a thought, as you mentioned timing belts, did you have yours changed somewhat recently?

[Raiketsu]

Just a thought, as you mentioned timing belts, did you have yours changed somewhat recently?

That's what I am worried about, I actually don't know when it was changed...from the looks of it, it looks fine, but I bought the car about 10,000 miles ago and forgot to ask, but I go to his shop for my repairs and oil changes and stuff, so I will ask him the next time I go

[Raiketsu]

Bump for the Audi gurus?

[R3K8C24]

Check your oil level. Mine made that noise on Sunday when i started it. Thought it was weird. Was driving for about an hour and suddenly the "min oil" sign showed on the display. I got off the freeway and pulled over, checked the oil level and it was really low. Bought some oil and put it in. Smooth sailing ever since.

[Raiketsu]

Check your oil level. Mine made that noise on Sunday when i started it. Thought it was weird. Was driving for about an hour and suddenly the "min oil" sign showed on the display. I got off the freeway and pulled over, checked the oil level and it was really low. Bought some oil and put it in. Smooth sailing ever since.

Hmm, thanks for the input. That actually got me thinking. My oil level sensor is busted right now, so my car wouldn't have been giving me warnings about a low oil level. I'll check in the morning

[walky_talky20]

I think it is noise from the cam chain tensioner/adjuster. It is normal as it takes a bit for it to get full oil pressure up top. It will make this noise for a few solid seconds when you change the oil, if you don't fill up the oil filter before installing. That is because you don't get oil pressure until the filter fills up. I believe the tensioner is *supposed* to retain pressure through an internal check valve or something, but it is normal for a high mileage one to have this behavior (pressure leaks down after it sits for a while). If it gets worse - like making the noise at other times, or continuously - it may need addressing.

You can verify it is the tensioner by having someone start the car (cold, so it makes the noise for you) and having a stethoscope or screwdriver between your ear and the back of the valve cover. If the noise obviously comes from the back of the valve cover, you can pretty much narrow it down the tensioner. If it comes from the front of the engine, it may be from the accessory belt tensioner.

Next time, stick your head under the hood and have someone else start it for you.

[R3K8C24]

Good to know. Thanks for the info.

[Raiketsu]

I think it is noise from the cam chain tensioner/adjuster. It is normal as it takes a bit for it to get full oil pressure up top. It will make this noise for a few solid seconds when you change the oil, if you don't fill up the oil filter before installing. That is because you don't get oil pressure until the filter fills up. I believe the tensioner is *supposed* to retain pressure through an internal check valve or something, but it is normal for a high mileage one to have this behavior (pressure leaks down after it sits for a while). If it gets worse - like making the noise at other times, or continuously - it may need addressing.

You can verify it is the tensioner by having someone start the car (cold, so it makes the noise for you) and having a stethoscope or screwdriver between your ear and the back of the valve cover. If the noise obviously comes from the back of the valve cover, you can pretty much narrow it down the tensioner. If it comes from the front of the engine, it may be from the accessory belt tensioner.

Next time, stick your head under the hood and have someone else start it for you.

Thanks a lot for the info walky talky! That was exactly the insight I was looking for. Next time I cold start I will have someone do it and pop the hood. If it is the accessory belt tensioner could that be a big issue?

[walky_talky20]

If the tensioner fails completely, it could be a big issue for sure (no power steering, no charging system, etc). I'm a little doubtful it is that as it seems to be temperature or time dependent (has to sit for a while). If it were the acc belt tensioner it would probably do it *every* time you start the car. But I wouldn't rule it out yet.

If the noise is really hard to pin down, you can eliminate things. For example on a cold start where you *know* it will make the noise, remove (or hold the tension off) the accessory belt when you start it.

[Raiketsu]

Thanks a lot for the very good advice walky talky. As soon as I get the chance to have someone start the car for me I will report back with the location of where exactly the sound is coming from.