Blown motor? Rocker arm failure? HELP!

[Audi_Andrew19]

I was browsing the B9 S4 side of the forum (I have a B9 S5) and saw a thread of people talking about early 18 MY B9 S4/S5 having a failing rocker arm issue that causes a tapping sound. I took a video of my car idling to compare and noticed a very scary sounding tapping coming from the right side of the engine bay. Anyone have any ideas? Bought the car in Feb. w/ 34k miles and good service history (just had oil changed too).

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jTjKu71CNzQ

[MGZ]

I was browsing the B9 S4 side of the forum (I have a B9 S5) and saw a thread of people talking about early 18 MY B9 S4/S5 having a failing rocker arm issue that causes a tapping sound. I took a video of my car idling to compare and noticed a very scary sounding tapping coming from the right side of the engine bay. Anyone have any ideas? Bought the car in Feb. w/ 34k miles and good service history (just had oil changed too).

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jTjKu71CNzQ

That does not sound good. It does not sound like the HPFP. It's out of sync

[Trentimus]

Seems normal. Run it by a reputable mechanic if you’re concerned.


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[XSWG]

Half of it sounds like normal direct injection, the other half sounds like a lifter valve issue. You can't really identify issues through sounds and symptoms only though. Take it to your local shop for an endoscope and see what they say.

If it's outside of warranty and there's really a failure, unfortunately, you'll have to wait for a class action because Mort car dealers don't like giving away free parts and services (idk why people don't know that dealers are more like authorized dealers of car manufacturers rather than owned by them but that's another topic for another day)

Rocker arm failure is so rare on this platform though I don't know what to tell you. I beat the hell out of all of my cars and my S4 is probably the third most tracked car out of the group with no engine specific issues (I break parts regularly though) but mine is a 2019 and the issues I have seen are on the early to kid 2018 build dates and prior so half of the 2019 and all of the 2018. Again, hard to tell.

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[Audi_Andrew19]

Half of it sounds like normal direct injection, the other half sounds like a lifter valve issue. You can't really identify issues through sounds and symptoms only though. Take it to your local shop for an endoscope and see what they say.

If it's outside of warranty and there's really a failure, unfortunately, you'll have to wait for a class action because Mort car dealers don't like giving away free parts and services (idk why people don't know that dealers are more like authorized dealers of car manufacturers rather than owned by them but that's another topic for another day)

Rocker arm failure is so rare on this platform though I don't know what to tell you. I beat the hell out of all of my cars and my S4 is probably the third most tracked car out of the group with no engine specific issues (I break parts regularly though) but mine is a 2019 and the issues I have seen are on the early to kid 2018 build dates and prior so half of the 2019 and all of the 2018. Again, hard to tell.

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I thought it was a rare issue on these cars too. That’s mostly why I never paid much attention to the thread since people seem to be all over the place with guessing, weird noises, it being nothing, etc.

My car only has 35k miles with good service history - and I would think it is way too early in the car’s life to develop an issue this significant (no matter how early the build date is, etc).

The car runs great currently, no CEL, etc. so I really don’t want to waste time/money taking it for a diagnosis. I know these cars make lots of weird noises and it’s probably just me being paranoid. If the noise gets worse or something, I guess I’ll cross that bridge if I get to it (knock on wood).

[Kerbouchard]

Mine is in the shop currently. <15k miles, bone stock. dealer says something sounds “wrong” on pass cyl bank. Beginning $5k tear down to determine root cause…. Wish me (and my wallet) luck!

[XSWG]

I thought it was a rare issue on these cars too. That’s mostly why I never paid much attention to the thread since people seem to be all over the place with guessing, weird noises, it being nothing, etc.

My car only has 35k miles with good service history - and I would think it is way too early in the car’s life to develop an issue this significant (no matter how early the build date is, etc).

The car runs great currently, no CEL, etc. so I really don’t want to waste time/money taking it for a diagnosis. I know these cars make lots of weird noises and it’s probably just me being paranoid. If the noise gets worse or something, I guess I’ll cross that bridge if I get to it (knock on wood).

Definitely is rare but it seems to affect more of the early B9 models but I don't have part number revisions for those engine components but just about everything in the damn engine bay for the B9 and B9.5 have had revisions since early 2019. These have had failures on stock cars so if someone gets a failure whether it's within warranty or not, fight for the fix with corporate if you have to and threaten litigation. Worst thing that can happen is you not getting anything which is the same as not doing anything anyway. Might as well fight for it

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[oesman]

DI engines make a ton of noise and it's hard to tell from a phone video really. I don't hear anything alarming. How does it sound if you throw a rev? Does it start up just fine or slow to crank? Any codes? Hesitation under load when driving?

EDIT: I listened to this on my phone which can't reproduce bass, and I do hear a bit of a secondary ticking that bass on my pc was drowning out. Could be something top end like someone mentioned. This on a cold start? Make lots of short trips?

[CELison]

That sounds completely fine. The failed rocker arm is a distinct sound. Also remember, that valve is going to open once every 720 deg. of crank rotation, so it's a slow and loud tap. You're fine, enjoy your car.

[Dardani2000]

My car it started to make that same noise 49k miles..... it did not make that sound before... this engine is fucked

[Audi_Andrew19]

DI engines make a ton of noise and it's hard to tell from a phone video really. I don't hear anything alarming. How does it sound if you throw a rev? Does it start up just fine or slow to crank? Any codes? Hesitation under load when driving?

EDIT: I listened to this on my phone which can't reproduce bass, and I do hear a bit of a secondary ticking that bass on my pc was drowning out. Could be something top end like someone mentioned. This on a cold start? Make lots of short trips?

None of the above. Was on a slightly warm start. Car runs flawlessly otherwise. I have been listening closely after each drive now and I think the sound has gotten less noticeable but it still concerns me. Maybe I’m just imagining things here…

[Audi_Andrew19]

That sounds completely fine. The failed rocker arm is a distinct sound. Also remember, that valve is going to open once every 720 deg. of crank rotation, so it's a slow and loud tap. You're fine, enjoy your car.

I figure as such. Especially since the car runs great otherwise with no codes. I’ve heard both sides of the coin here though - some say no issue others say the engine is totally screwed. Doesn’t do much to help my confidence lol.

[oesman]

Could just be the way it sounds through your phone, could be hpfp noise, and so on. As far as the whole engine being screwed it really depends on the circumstance. Right now with no other symptoms? Probably not. For example a worn rocker bearing may cause noise, but won't wreck your engine while it holds up. If it starts getting louder have someone crack the valve cover open. If you want more peace of mind get a oil analysis and at least know the engine isn't "screwed" today. A bad rocker will get louder and eventually fail. A failed rocker will have significant symptoms beyond just a noise and will definitely show up on an oil analysis. You can't have a valve not operating correctly and have no symptoms beyond a tick, you'd have misfires, performance loss, etc... then the engine might be an expensive wreck.

[CAL30]

I was browsing the B9 S4 side of the forum (I have a B9 S5) and saw a thread of people talking about early 18 MY B9 S4/S5 having a failing rocker arm issue that causes a tapping sound. I took a video of my car idling to compare and noticed a very scary sounding tapping coming from the right side of the engine bay. Anyone have any ideas? Bought the car in Feb. w/ 34k miles and good service history (just had oil changed too).

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jTjKu71CNzQ

And have they already checked your engine?

Does it have a rocker arm failure ?