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Firstly, apologies for those of you who frequent the audi-sport.net site, as I posted a similar thread on there yesterday.

After months of searching for the right car, i've finally bought a 2003 B6 S4 Avant in Dolphin Grey. The cars pretty much immaculate and with stupidly low mileage, one owner and a full Audi history.

The only thing is, over the last couple of mornings i've noticed it makes a slightly strange noise when the engine's cold and you press the throttle. The best description of it is, a whine or whistling (maybe a belt slipping?) that happens at low revs. Once the engine warms up (after 5 mins or so) it dissappears!

A bit of detective work seems to suggest that this is a common issue and it maybe a belt tensioner problem and apparently theres an Audi technical Bulletin that relates to this, but I can't seem to find a working link to it anywhere!

Does anyone have a copy knocking about they could send me?

Also does anyone know, that as the cars had 2 services since 2003, would the dealer addressed it already or would they not bother unless the car was showing the appropriate symptoms?

I'm hoping this is just something minor on an otherwise perfect car!?

Many thanks - Jay

It could be the timing chain tensioners, however this noise goes very quickly on strat up, with in 1/3 secs. Maybe the secondary air pump.

Anybody else still have that TSB knocking about?

Had the well known ribbed belt tensioner issue. In fact the problem was not a default on the part but rather the tension on the belt
Due to the pain required to access it (you have to remove the entire front of the car), I changed it anyway (didn't want to do it again) as well as the belt.

For several months now, no more issue.

I attached the TSB.

nidfix - Many thanks for the TSB!

Unfortunatly for me the car was bought privately and is now out of warranty, so i'm going to have to cough up for the work. Do you have any idea how long the job took - it sounds like a lot of work?

Also, i'm guessing the noise is more of an annoyance rather than doing then engine any harm?!

I'm thinking I may live with it and get them to do it at the next service, rather than book it in just for this.

I had the very same whining from cold (2004 car). Had the pulley belt TSB fix doneby Audi under warranty ... and it made no difference whatsoever! Still whines loudly until warmed up a bit - about 5 mins.

Annoying because it doesn't sound right.

It's a big job, whole front end removed to gain access. Probably at least 8 hours labour which at Audi will cost you dearly.

I think that the timing chain issue is more of a short rattle and clank on startup - not a whine. I have this noise occasionally but Audi are refusing to hear it! I've not managed to track down a TSB about this one so I'm ignoring it .... and buying an extended warranty for peace of mind.