About three weeks ago our 2007 A3 2.0T with 43k miles started to develop a sporadic knocking noise right after accelerating, between gear changes, mostly 1st->2nd or 2nd->3rd. The sound seemed to come from the front left wheel well. Occasionally, if I engaged the clutch at very low rpms, it sounded like the entire front was breaking apart.
-Removed the wheel, only to find a plastic fastener out of place in the front left wheel well. Tested but the noise persisted. (BTW I removed about *a pound* of wet sand and leaves from behind the plastic lining covering the rear part of the front wheel wells)
-Took it to a mechanic, put in on a lift, found nothing. The guy's remarks were, "actually, it looks like new", and "sometimes it's almost impossible to find these, better take it to the dealer".
The local dealers where booked that afternoon, so I went back home and investigated some more. As I opened the hood, something in the air intake looked odd. The upper plastic cover was missing (and never found it), and the assembly itself (plastic box in the picture) was missing the two screws that attach it to the front grille. Not sure whether this was result of vibration or a distant bad service.
The noise came as the engine rocks backward as the car accelerates, pulling the plastic assembly out of place thru the hose coming from the engine cover. The difference was immediate.
I removed the loose assembly while the replacement arrived:
Part Status Description Quantity Price
1K0805965C 9B9 Ready * note technical satin black * product information 1 $10.70
N 90986802 Ready Hexagon socket head panel bolt as required use: 2 $0.52
Hope this helps,
Ivan
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