S3 known issue ? : a vibration at at 3,200rpm

[Taipan]

Hello S3 Community,

I'm posting here on the behalf of PetitBiston, an active member of the French Audi-Passion community, who asked me to assist due to language.

He is encountering an issue with his S3 MTM 250hp and was told some UK and DE owners had managed to get it fixed for free by Audi.

The issue : when deccelerating (ie lift the foot) from 3,200rpm to 3,000rpm, the whole car vibrates.
The vibration is similar to those GSM phones buzzers.
Apparently the cause would be the "clutch dual mass inertia wheel" (raw translation from french).
The new 2003 S3 wouldn't encounter that because a modified wheel is now used.

Does this sound familiar ?

Many thanks in advance,

Eric
PS : I've scanned through all the posts in this forum and the issue didn't seem to be discussed openly yet.

[petitbiston]

Merci ERIC...

Thanks you

[Riz_RS4]

Welcome, to be honest ive not heard much of this problem but would think that the mass cylinder head for the dual mass fly-wheel has a leak? possible cause maybe.

Mick has a MTM S3 so im sure he will shed some light onto this.

Riz [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[petitbiston]

I had this problem well before MTM ...

[Riz_RS4]

I had this problem well before MTM ...

Sorry i should have put it a bit more clearer... think the
problem is not tuning related just thought Mick might have more info on it than me. (wise guy) [img]images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

It can happen on standard S3`s too, it should be done under warranty but leaving it too late with damage the actual clutch plate, get it to the dealer and have them check it out.

Riz [img]images/graemlins/s3addict.gif[/img]

[Paul-RS]

I understand the whole idea of the dual mass flywheel is to isolate these vibrations, so it does sound like it could be.


I have heard of a TT's dual mass flywheel being replaced recently, but its symtoms were that of a slipping clutch..

[Paul-RS]

Just found this

[img]images/rsul/28508-untitled.JPG[/img]

Document is for a TT, but S3's run same engines and drive chain.

[Jon]

well done paul mate!

[bjacks]

Yep, sounds bang on the money. Here's an write up that a chap on TS-Net sent me to descibe his experience of this. Typical Audi.

"
The symptoms of the un-balanced flywheel were only found on deceleration; a boomy, thrummy noise through the whole car, not anywhere in particular and you couldn't feel it in the gearknob nor steering wheel. It was more prominent in 6th at motorway speeds, decelerating down through about 85-80mph. But you could still feel it in 3rd 4th and 5th, although with more engine braking in lower gears it was tricky to detect. It was slightly louder when the car was warm.

After I complained back in June (and suggested it was the flywheel
out-orf-true) the dealer first blamed flat-spotted tyres, so I had them all replaced (they were due anyway) and it wasn't those, besides it was rev-related not speed-related so there was no way it could have been anything rolling on the road which caused it. If I dropped the clutch the noise would go away, which told me that it was nothing in the drivetrain behind the clutch (ie. not wheelbearings, haldex unit or prop/driveshafts). So I told the dealer it had to be in the flywheel or something else in the engine, but they were having none of it.

Eventually they swapped EVERYTHING on the car with another new car, swapping bits about one by one and testing my car each time but it was still there. It was only when I insisted it was the flywheel that they reluctantly changed it, and it cured the vibration straight away. The dealer was John Fox in Nottingham, the car certainly won't be going back there!! If yours need work I'd suggest phoning round specialists like Fontain up in Cheshire, they'll probably know what they are doing more than a dealer will and be able to quote for the work in advance.."


Cheers

Ben

[petitbiston]

Thanks a lot Paul ! I need and search official documents which speak about this problem

Great

[Paul-RS]

Your welcome.

Welcome to RS246. [img]images/graemlins/bigwave.gif[/img]

[petitbiston]

"I am greedy I want others of them" [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Taipan]

Guys, many thanks for your quick and detailled replies, especially to Paul for the scanned leaflet. [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

Eric

[Paul-RS]

No problem [img]images/graemlins/beerchug.gif[/img]

Hope you get it sorted.

[ChrisG]

Ummm mine is very similar between about 2900 and 3300 rpm. I thought it was something to do with the exhaust as it is also very raspy as you start up , until the idle speed drops back. Noise on road is at same revs in any gear just as you lift up on the throttle.Very noticeable as it correspond s to 70 - 80 mph on motorway.
My chassis no is 8L 2003 model registered end oct 02
Have to see the dealer [img]images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]