Help identify engine this Rattle (Audio Clips attached)!

[mattsimis]

Its a 1998 S4, 89000 miles, the rattle is there for at least 9k miles. So far, been told its the precats or heatshield(s) or broken manifold etc. The Audi service history shows some heatshields were replaced twice previously for causing a rattle.

Sound almost disappears above 2000 RPM, most audible when "stabbing" the accelerator and when cold. At low RPM, in traffic, its easy to hear and annoying, but I am concerned it maybe something serious.

Two clips attached in WinZip file, one at idle, one when stabbing the accelerator.


Suggestions wanted!

[mattsimis]

Just want to point out that the previous owner bought the car with the rattle from a (non-Audi) dealer and lived with it for the 9k miles. Ive only got it last week (but did know about the rattle when buying).


Sound appears to come from the drivers side, bottom of engine area.



Matt

[KayGee]

Turbo heatshield...do I win a prize?

[mattsimis]

Turbo heatshield...do I win a prize?

Well, havent got it checked out as of yet (by a real mechanic), so no way of confirming. Hmm.. prize, do PayPal allow payment in Cookies?



Matt

[S4TAN]

If you had posted this question on AW you would have got the standard "Dead Hooker in the trunk" answer - or the equally annoying "STFA!"

[mattsimis]

or the equally annoying "STFA!"

Kinda hard to search an archive for a sound tho isnt it..?

[S4TAN]

True - but that's the AW answer for virtually everything

[KayGee]

AW Response to "do I win a prize would of been"

Tree

Fiddy

[mattsimis]

Turbo heatshield...do I win a prize?

Im gonna fit new 710Ns, TBB etc tonight it there is time and light, is it possible to see the Turbo heatshields without getting the car on a ramp?



Matt

[KayGee]

Ramp is better/easier... You can possibly test for the rattle with a long extension or silimilar. What happens is top bracket snaps off or comes unwelded. This means top section (nearest engine as opposed to rear of car) can rattle. Lifting it up (from underneath) or applying slight downward pressure from top at tickover should stop the rattle.

[shineydave]

STFA??..........please tell

by the way my nearside shield was rattleing up the the point where i had to bend it to replace the Lambda probe. seems to have gone now

[S4TAN]

"Search The Forum Archives" - an oft quoted response to a question on AW. Along with "Dead Hooker in trunk" and "Noob", "Hawt", "STFU" (Shut The F**k Up") and YSATI (You Suck At The Internet") - it's a Yank thing....it seems to keep them amused....

[KayGee]

I thought it was "Search The Forum Asshole" (deliberate American miss spelling of arsehole)

[shineydave]

they need to get out more IMHO LMBFFAO

[KayGee]

Some really good info on there though and some straight up good guys. Just spoilt by a few...