Any ideas what's rattling at the front of engine when hot?

Post by **Contigo** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 3:09 pm

Have you bought a dog?

Post by **lushman** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:21 pm

Sounds like the same problem I had that turned out to be a seized hydrolic tensioner and the chain was rattling off the rocker cover. Tensioner was best pasrt of 300 quid but hey presto once replaced no rattle!

Post by **neckarsulm** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:32 pm

Right, took auxiliary belt off today and yes the tensioner was tired but it wasn't the source of the noise.
It's definitely coming from under the nearside timing belt cover but couldn't investigate it further and only starts when coolant temp gauge is at around 70 degrees getting louder up to 90.
A 2nd opinion suggests it's not cam related and there's no chain/tensioner in that corner of the engine is there?

Have you bought a dog?

For less than half the price of yours Contigo I don't expect perfection

Post by **dhali** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:37 pm

i maybe wrong but im sure the tensioner is on the front on passenger side and rear driver side.

yep. here you go:

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/pics/eng52-gask.h4.jpg
and
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/pics/eng107_04200004.jpg

Post by **neckarsulm** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:47 pm

Nice one dhali, found a pic and yes it looks likely.
Why only when hot though?

Post by **dhali** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 8:53 pm

cant help you there im afraid. Expansion and contraction??
On another note are you having a go at this by yourself??

Post by **neckarsulm** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:07 pm

Good point.

On another note are you having a go at this by yourself??

I'd like to say yes but one of my friends is a high mileage B5 RS4 owning mobile mechanic, I'm his 'apprentice'.

Post by **neckarsulm** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:49 pm

I'd like to say yes but one of my friends is a high mileage B5 RS4 owning mobile mechanic, I'm his 'apprentice'.

Just checked and he insisits it's not cam chain related but definitely from under that belt cover and one of the rollers/tensioners.
So what is under there exactly??

Post by **dhali** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:57 pm

more pics

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/pics/eng63-21.jpg
http://www.audiworld.com/tech/pics/eng107_04200010.jpg

Post by **neckarsulm** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:08 pm

Thanks again, I was looking on google for exactly that pic

Hmm doesn't seem much there to rattle really though the water pump isn't far away and would explain why it does it at higher temps.
I may have a receipt for it's replacement 30k ago but doesn't mean it's been done.

Post by **neckarsulm** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:48 pm

Just checked and he insisits it's not cam chain related but definitely from under that belt cover and one of the rollers/tensioners.
So what is under there exactly??

Well done Lushman! It does appear to be the tensioner causing the problem!
Stripped the front off inc cam belt covers and waited til it got to temp and we both agreed it was from the cam chain tensioner area.
Part on order, £280+VAT!
Good news is that we took both cam covers off and at a genuine 104k all 4 cams look pretty much perfect - will post pics in another thread later.

Post by **Sql_RS4** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 7:50 pm

No more noise after the job?

Did you replace two tensioners or just one?

I think I need to have it done as well.

Post by **neckarsulm** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:37 pm

Just the one replaced, no real benefit doing the other at the same time and at £300 each....

Yes the noise went as soon as it was replaced.

Post by **Sql_RS4** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:43 pm

I see.

Did you have to change the chain as well?

Post by **neckarsulm** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 8:47 pm

Did you have to change the chain as well?

I didn't change it, it was inspected and there was no obvious damage or wear.
Some no doubt will say I should have but they didn't say that when this thread was originally started

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Any ideas what's rattling at the front of engine when hot?

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