Hi All, first post here, long time reader...

Car is 2001 A4 2.8 quattro manual with about 144000 miles on it.

This just started to happen. Engine fires up fine and is quiet, but as soon as I hit about 2200RPM and while accelerating, I get a noise I would describe as a rattle like a sewing machine running or may be a machine gun. As I back out of the power the noise will go away, even in the 2200RPM rev range - so I can cruise at 65MPH in 5th and the noise will not be there, but apply a bit of power and it comes back. Noise also occurs in neutral when stationary in the same rev range. Code P0341 popped up about 4 days ago also...

Thoughts?

-GY

 

potential misfire

 

Well, I'm on my second coil pack in just under 12 months - the first I think was a less than stellar knock-off, while the current one was I think OEM from FCP Groton... when the pack was bad I got plenty of codes and know what that misfire sound was like and this noise is definitely different. Could it be a sticky valve or cam chain tensioner?

Any chance this might be due to oil sludge?

- GY

 

is it a rattle near the rear of the engine? if so check the chain tensioner, which potentially means sludge also.

 

Will have to check. Only started yesterday.... anyone tried AutoRX? I used it in the wife's Dodge Durango that was virtually written off by our repair shop as sludged to hell and it worked like a charm. Engine is now running sweet.

I guess they only recommend a certain few (one is it?) synthetic?

Is the cam chain tensioner a DIY job? If so how big a job (2 hours, 8 hours?)

And am I right in thinking there are two tensioners (left and right?)

Thanks! -GY

 

Ok, so the "rattle" starts at 2200RPM and stops at 3500RPM it would seem.

 

Could anyone give me an idea of the cost of having the chain tensioner/s replaced in a shop? I think there are 2? I have found them online at a cost for the part for $121 (claims to be OEM).

- GY

 

if you can wrench you should be able to do it. Id say its about a 4 hour job at a shop