Ticking noise at idle

[fusion3214]

I was in the process of doing an oil change when I noticed this ticking noise at idle that speeds up when I rev the car. My car is a 2018 SQ5 with 52k miles on it. The build date is July 2018. A video is attached below-

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

Is this something to be concerned about? I've read around the forums and it seems like these have a low chance of rocker arm failure.

[GoCougs1234]

Mine does the same (2021 SQ5), and has since new. AFAIK it's the fuel injectors. Take off the engine cover and it's much more noticeable.

[fusion3214]

Oh interesting... maybe these are just super noisy engines.

[fusion3214]

quick update if anyone is watching this thread, the shop confirmed it was a rocker arm tick. I do have the service manuals so hopefully it has enough instructions in it to go in and do it myself if it gets to that point. the labor alone was over 6 grand.

On a side note, has anyone had luck with contacting AoA and getting them to cover part of the charge if the work is done at the dealer vs an independent shop?

[TheContrarian]

Yes there is a metallic tapping present beyond the normal injector noise. Sorry, hopefully you get it sorted out.

[GoCougs1234]

quick update if anyone is watching this thread, the shop confirmed it was a rocker arm tick. I do have the service manuals so hopefully it has enough instructions in it to go in and do it myself if it gets to that point. the labor alone was over 6 grand.

On a side note, has anyone had luck with contacting AoA and getting them to cover part of the charge if the work is done at the dealer vs an independent shop?

Shit. Welp, I may just have it, as my motor sounds identical to my ear, but not aware it affected B9.5s. No way I'd pay $6k though to get such a thing fixed - would just trade it in.

[fusion3214]

Shit. Welp, I may just have it, as my motor sounds identical to my ear, but not aware it affected B9.5s. No way I'd pay $6k though to get such a thing fixed - would just trade it in.

Yeah.. I suspect there was a case of "hawaii markup tax" or the shop didn't want to do the job.

The rocker arm tick will be at a different interval vs the fuel injectors and HPFP. The EA839 3.0t from 2019+ should have the revised rocker already in it. I put a parts list together and its at about $1500 in parts + tools which include 24 revised rocker arms (0P2109417), gaskets, sealer, timing chain tensioners, locking pins and oil control valves. If the camshafts are somehow damaged then add about another 2500 to replace all 4. Each one is about 5 or 600 minus the intake cam for cyl 1-3 which is 800 ish. I think it should be doable with the engine in the car as the cam tool has enough space to lock the cams without pulling the engine. I'll keep the thread updated with the progress + pictures in case anyone else happens to have this issue and wants to wrench it themselves.

[JonnyBravo!]

I think most, if not all, SQ5's sound like that. Doesn't mean you have an impending rocker arm failure.

[GoCougs1234]

Yeah.. I suspect there was a case of "hawaii markup tax" or the shop didn't want to do the job.

The rocker arm tick will be at a different interval vs the fuel injectors and HPFP. The EA839 3.0t from 2019+ should have the revised rocker already in it. I put a parts list together and its at about $1500 in parts + tools which include 24 revised rocker arms (0P2109417), gaskets, sealer, timing chain tensioners, locking pins and oil control valves. If the camshafts are somehow damaged then add about another 2500 to replace all 4. Each one is about 5 or 600 minus the intake cam for cyl 1-3 which is 800 ish. I think it should be doable with the engine in the car as the cam tool has enough space to lock the cams without pulling the engine. I'll keep the thread updated with the progress + pictures in case anyone else happens to have this issue and wants to wrench it themselves.

Is there nuance (specialty tools/shims/skill/etc.) in adjusting the various valve train clearances?

[fusion3214]

Is there nuance (specialty tools/shims/skill/etc.) in adjusting the various valve train clearances?

Good question, ill have to check the repair manual and see.

[fusion3214]

update for anyone who may be following -

just got the engine back in and had a cylinder 5 misfire about 3 minutes into the idle (P0305 + flashing check engine light). going to try swapping the coil pack with a new one and putting the OEM spark plugs back in to see if it fixes it. i'm thinking if my timing was off from the repair i would have banks of misfires and a timing code as well, but so far its just P0305. other than that, no ticking noise since the rebuild!

on a side note, if there were more issues leading up to the misfire (broken injector, no compression) would the ECU pop more codes? i'm assuming yes but looking to see if anyone else had the same error with only 1 code

edit** will be posting a full parts list shortly for anyone who decides to take this on themselves

[fusion3214]

parts list + notes for anyone interested. this is a pretty big job, cost in parts just for the rockers is about 1-2k assuming you already have the other tools (3/8, 1/2 torque wrench, engine hoist, jack stands, etc). i added up all of my receipts and ended up spending about 6-7 grand combined in parts, tools + hardware to complete it. if i were to go back in time, i probably should have traded in the car and taken the 5k loss as i would've "saved" a few thousand in cash. with that being said, it really wasnt that bad once i told myself that this is gonna be a month project vs a weekend job. i ended up placing an order for a 2024 SQ5 prestige so this one will either hopefully go to a good 3rd owner or be traded in at the stealership.

part number desc quantity notes
D176501A1 RTV sealant 1 believe elring dirko HT black profipress will work as well. it has a push handle on it which makes the sealant a lot faster + easier to apply
06M103650D gasket (cyl 1-3) 1
06M103649D gasket (cyl 4-6) 1
N91127602 bolts for cams + cam covers 96 repair guide states to replace after using, i suspect you can get away without it.
N91184801 stud bolts for cyl 1-3 (passenger side) 8 etka states 8, i only needed 7 - YMMV
0P2109417 rocker arms 24
06M109493D friction plate 4 sits between the camshaft and the cam gear. guide states to replace
06M109235 gasket for oil control valve 4 replace gasket or buy a new control valve (06M109257T)
06M109218J timing chain tensioner (cyl 1-3) 1
06M109217L timing chain tensioner (cyl 4-6) 1


optional maint.
06M103515H oil seperator 1 unsure if this needs to be replaced with the PCV, did it anyways
06M103517B gasket for oil seperator 1
06M129041 PCV (upper) 1 comes with intake manifold, swap aftermarket turbo inlet if using
06M103217DD PCV (lower) 1 need to pull the turbo out, old line is destroyed upon removal. see dmitry garage's video on TTE710 installation for visual guide + replacement gaskets
06M115441G oil filter housing gasket 1 new gasket is a LOT thicker than the old one. clean + reuse the existing housing or buy new
06E103051J rear main seal 1 no part revision listed, unsure if this will leak 5 years down the line like the 2018's do. transmission will need to be disconnected from the engine)
06M906048F solenoid valve (sits on cam covers) 6 TSB lists that these may leak, has not happened to mine so did not replace
06M133876AC noise insulation 1 only replace if filled with oil, i bought new ones because the existing ones literally fell apart as i was removing it
06M133875AA noise insulation 1 see above
06M133876AB noise insulation 1 see above
06M133875T noise insulation 1 see above

[GoCougs1234]

Uff da. Nice job. Lots of work.

[JonnyBravo!]

At that point, I would just trade it in. That's too much.

[texasboy21]

Excellent work and thank you for posting the parts list!

[andrewjg1994]

When doing this job, I was unable to figure out how to remove the camshaft friction disc. I thought the disc may be inside the adjuster, but it is NOT. the friction disc was just stuck against the Cam side of the adjuster. I hit it with some brake parts cleaner and was able to get it to separate. No need to do anything with the adjusters.

[Kenny147]

I’m amazed, given how many engines this seems to affect, that there hasn’t been a class action.

[fusion3214]

When doing this job, I was unable to figure out how to remove the camshaft friction disc. I thought the disc may be inside the adjuster, but it is NOT. the friction disc was just stuck against the Cam side of the adjuster. I hit it with some brake parts cleaner and was able to get it to separate. No need to do anything with the adjusters.

i just used an angled pick to carefully pry it out. glad you managed to figure it out!

[ibankovsky]

Hello @fusion3214

I have an Audi Q8 55 tfsi 2019 (same engine). Can you help me out to diagnose if I also have failing rocker arms? I have this profound sound only when the engine is cold, here are the links to the videos -

1. Cold engine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b29lYoHJGF4
2. Warm engine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cerzpoYnudM

Do you think this could be the first signs of such failure?

[Ammonex]

Use better oil and that ticking will go away.

[TheContrarian]

Hello @fusion3214


I have an Audi Q8 55 tfsi 2019 (same engine). Can you help me out to diagnose if I also have failing rocker arms? I have this profound sound only when the engine is cold, here are the links to the videos -

1. Cold engine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b29lYoHJGF4
2. Warm engine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cerzpoYnudM

Do you think this could be the first signs of such failure?

2019 most likely has the newer rocker style.

I don't hear anything unusual in these clips. These engines sound like typewriters. A failing rocker usually has a slower frequency clear metallic tapping.

[Turbo_Racer]

Use better oil and that ticking will go away.

Recommend motor oil?

[Txlifter]

Recommend motor oil?

I'm running Liqui Moly full synthetic and Ceratec as well. Both of mine have been very happy with that combo.

[Turbo_Racer]

I'm running Liqui Moly full synthetic and Ceratec as well. Both of mine have been very happy with that combo.

viscosity?

[Txlifter]

0W20. I might switch to 5w20 for summer but not sure yet.

[fusion3214]

Hello @fusion3214

I have an Audi Q8 55 tfsi 2019 (same engine). Can you help me out to diagnose if I also have failing rocker arms? I have this profound sound only when the engine is cold, here are the links to the videos -

1. Cold engine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b29lYoHJGF4
2. Warm engine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cerzpoYnudM

Do you think this could be the first signs of such failure?

this sounds fine to me. rockers have a metallic click similar to banging two wrenches together.

[Whitigir]

Those noises are the exact noises I had on my MY 25 new off the lot...until I pulled out the SoundAktivator fuse and it is gone LOL.

Sound tickling and rattling like Valves tick or rockerarms as said above