Hey people,

I got my timing belts replaced about three months ago on my Audi A4 99 1.8TQM. Immediately after the install I heard a rattling coming from the engine. This rattling happens mainly on cold starts, once the car has been going for 10 or so minutes the noise disappears. Yes most likely the install didn't go 100%. I've been putting this fix off for so long and I'm really sick of that rattling noise, car runs fine and all but sounds like its going to fall apart at the time of the rattling. So I'm asking if anyone can somewhat specify where the problem is exactly so I can tell the guy who installed it so it makes his life a little easier. Thanks.

 

Sounds just like valves tapping when its cold, common on the 1.8.

 

Thanks for that, I will let the guy know.

 

I wouldn't tell him anything. I'd take the car there, drop it off, and go back the next day to start it in front of him and ask WTF that noise is. Tell him it's lifters and he'll mess around doing work related to lifters, charge you for it, and if its not a fix, he'll say "hey, you said it was lifters." If it only started after the work, let him fix it.

 

Amen, if you know the answer to the problem, dont let him know. See what crazy **** he thinks of.

 

Fair enough, this isn't just any mechanic, he is a friend of my step dad. No matter what the issue is, he will have to fix it if it is due to improperly installed timing belts.

 

Lifters dont have anything to do with the timing belt. Its possible its the chain but its more likely its the lifters tapping.