Hi all,

I've just found and joined this forum, and hoping you could help me out.

We bought a brand new Audi A4 over the weekend, front wheel drive. When the car is running, it makes a high pitched sound - not very audible from the car, but very easy to hear when you open up the hood. The sound goes away periodically, but persistently comes back.

Talked to a technician at Audi and to the salesman before driving off the lot, and they both assured us that this was all normal. However, I can't help but cringe at it, it just doesn't sound like a normal engine sound. Of course, I'm not familiar with what this engine should sound like as I haven't owned an Audi before - so maybe they are right, and this is normal?

Any suggestions what to do? I'll see if I can upload a video of the sound. It would suck to have to take a brand new car in for service/repair already.

Thanks in advance!

 

Powerful engine is what makes Audi different from others. However, if you are doubting the engine sound, it would be better if you attach a video to have a better idea. As far as I'm concerned it is normal.

 

does the sound go away once the engine is at normal temperature? mine made a cyclical chirp sound after a cold start for years until i finally got sick of it and brought it in to get looked at. turned out to be the tensioner pulley or something. the dealership ended up replacing all pulleys and the belt out of warranty.

 

Thanks for the replies, it happens when engine is cold or warm, doesn't matter. Definitely audible in idle, hard to hear with road noises when driving, but I think it happens then too. Turned off all extra electronics (lights, radio, air).

Here's a video I just took, sorry it's dark, but you can hear the high pitched sound clearly:
Video - TinyPic - Free Image Hosting, Photo Sharing & Video Hosting
(didn't know where to upload, so hopefully this link is okay. the bang at the beginning is just the door closing)

 

Take it to a different dealership. One certified by Audi. If I had to guess though it sounds like a bad bearing somewhere. That's my best guess though.

 

Well, took it in to a dealer. So far they couldn't get it to make the sound since it's a sporadic thing, but they are keeping it overnight and will keep trying. Hopefully it complies, and they can figure out what it is. Will update when I hear something new. Thanks!

 

Update - the verdict is a bad air control valve. It was getting stuck closed and hence whistling when the air was being pushed through under pressure. They've replaced the valve, and all should hopefully be well now.

 

My new 2012 A4 2.0t Quattro just started making the exact same sound around 350 miles.
Did replacing the 'air control valve' provide a permanent fix??

Thanks!

 

My guess would have been a crankcase vent valve. They are usually good for at least 30k most of the time.

 

Hi, yes it did, and yes - it was the crankcase valve that they replaced (I posted the original update after they called me so didn't catch which one it was until picking up the car later). Car has about 3k on it now and all has been well, so hopefully yours is an easy fix too!