More new owner questions!

[tommchowat]

Hi Guys,

Had the car for a couple of days now, really enjoying it. Fixed the door handle rattle using the FAQ thread above, done a bit of engine bay tidying etc. Just a couple of questions while I get to know the car:

1) My petrol cap has lost its rubber string to attach to the flap. Any idea where to get a new one? On searching it appears I need to get an entire new flap?!

2) Are there any 'RS' badges available for the engine bay? Mine has lost the red colour, as far as I can see it only comes as part of the whole carbon fibre cover.

3) How grumpy are these engines when cold? I'm coming from an E46 M3 which was VERY grumpy when cold, I always used to run it at idle for a couple of minutes before setting off then go easy until it was up to temperature. When I start the RS4 when its cold it idles at about 1300rpm (sounds awesome by the way) then after about a minute it settles quite quickly down to 900. Sounds a bit noisy and rattly (particularly near the passenger side wheel arch) until I've driven her and the coolant and oil are both up to temperature. After that it hums along nice and quietly with a solid idle (no needle hunting). Any tips on every day engine care appreciated.

Cheers!

Tom

[rs user]

it may have been remapped deleting manifold flaps or similar-that could cause this lumpiness from cold

the m3 e46 can be a bit moody when cold but a new maf normaly sorts that out-plus the sas pumps on them can be noisy[my last one was] and they are on for a short while after starting up

main thing to check on a newly purchased rs4b7[in my mind anyway] is the integrity of the oil cooler pipes-removing the undertray gives you a decent look-rub some grease well into the metal pipe crimps while you are there-keep the corrosion at bay-if they are weeping/leaking get them swapped out asap

other issues are stuck/seized brake pad pins-they can weld themselves to the caliper requiring careful drilling out
just changed mine,not an experience i care to repeat
i will be modifying mine with stainless pins and r clips next time i am in there-rather than the standard collet rear fixing

[MikeFish]

1. I bought mine from either Audi or ebay, can't remember which. But it was a new petrol flap and rubber string together.

2. Audi don't sell that badge by itself, you can only get it with the carbon cover. I seem to recall someone coming up with a solution a while ago though; can't remember if it was an aftermarket badge that was similar (maybe from door blades) or used some red wrap etc.

[tommchowat]

Cheers guys.

Seems a bit crazy having to buy an entire new flap! But there you go. I'll have a look at a new engine badge, maybe I can just replace it with the one on the rear door like you said.

She's not lumpy when idle, rock steady once she settles down, she just makes alot of different noises compared to when she's fully warmed up. But I suppose the M3 did aswell. My previous cars were all diesels which sounded the same no matter what, so I'm still fairly new when it comes to petrol engines!

[SimonS4MTM]

I got some red wrap and repaired my rs4 badge on the engine cover.


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[tommchowat]

Thanks for the help guys.

Question - where are the heatshields on these cars? When she's idling, on the passenger side I can hear sort of a metallic rattle, can hear it clearer if I put my head near the passenger side wheel arch, sounds like a loose heat shield or panel of sorts. Am giving her to my garage in a couple of weeks for a thorough look over anyway. Is there a heatshield or anything in that area, perhaps in front of the bulkhead or on the front part of the exhaust?

[alefustec]

re the badge on the engine bay - I simply removed the original RS badge and replaced with an RS5 badge I bought off e-bay (11x3cm one) dropped the '5' and stuck the RS bit on. Its very slightly larger than original but looks good. Been on it a year now no problem (I thought it may come off due to heat etc but its been fine). Cost me £5. Link to similar below;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-RS4-Badg ... Sw~bFWPTje

[tommchowat]

re the badge on the engine bay - I simply bought an RS badge off e-bay and stuck it on. Its slightly larger than original but looks good. Been on it a year now no problem (I thought it may come off due to heat etc but its been fine).

Cheers, that's my plan.

[alefustec]

re the badge on the engine bay - I simply bought an RS badge off e-bay and stuck it on. Its slightly larger than original but looks good. Been on it a year now no problem (I thought it may come off due to heat etc but its been fine).

Cheers, that's my plan.

edited my response and added a link.....

[tommchowat]

Thanks mate, ordered.

I've got it into my garage across the road tomorrow to look at the rattle from the passenger side on cold idle, hopefully just a loose heat shield or something.

[tommchowat]

Well seems I've been blessed with another 'grumpy when cold' car! Had a garage look at the noise from the near side front and they kept having to turn it off again for an hour after searching, as it doesn't do it when it's warm. They listened to the oil and water pump on that side with a stethoscope and checked all the panels and heat shields, all fine. Whatever it is calms down as soon as the engine is up to temp and oil temp is around 90 or over. So be it.

Back to playing with her now. She's had the door handles fixed, a new set of floor mats, a new paint job on the door sill and I'm just finishing changing all the interior lights to LEDs (not as much of a ball ache as I'd first thought!) New wheel caps to tidy up the look of the wheels. Badge for the engine just ordered. Few bits of interior trim to replace as they're looking a bit tired. Now for a good wash!

If there are any other must dos then let me know!