Sick RS4

[GregorFuk]

So I limped my RS4 to the garage tonight after the slight "is that or isn't that" rattle turned into a MKII Fiesta death rattle.

Symptoms:

Started as a slight rattle from where I thought was the front drivers side of the engine. Rattle increased with engine speed.

Now I'm getting a loud metallic like rattle/scraping sound from the car as I accelarate under load. Engine ticks over fine and seems still to be pulling as normal but it is making a heck of a noise while doing it. If I rev the engine at a stand still I get a slight rattle as it spins up but if I hold the revs it spins quiet as you like.

Any ideas? Will keep you posted.

Gregor

[SJS]

timing belt tensioner gone?

[graemep]

Get it checked ASAP, as it could be cam wear - sounds similar to the link below:

http://audisrs.com/about4067.html

[dhali]

If i was you i would NOT drive it at all. Get it trailered to a specialist as it could be the camshaft wear issue. There is a guy on S/RS who had a VERY lucky escape when regarding a rattling issue. A bit cautious i know but may save your engine???

[GregorFuk]

I drove it directly to the garage and left it there last night, it’s going to be looked at today or tomorrow. I knew people would suggest cam wear as it seems to be the hot topic at the moment but I’m not convinced. Car was quiet during tickover, or constant load, only really made the noise if I tried to accelerate, which it did with no obvious problems. There was no missfires, no smoke, no stuttering or lack of power (Though of course I only limped it to the garage). If I’d had the window up and the stereo loud I’d probably not have noticed anything. I’m hoping it’s a failed tensioner but if the worst comes to the worst where is the best place to start looking for a new engine?

[Nige_RS4]

More likely to be a sticking / fubared tensioner, either from the cambelt or the aux belt which does take the brunt of any mositure forced through the radiator.

[TopBear]

I’m hoping it’s a failed tensioner but if the worst comes to the worst where is the best place to start looking for a new engine?

As a precation\backup option, and if your ok with a 2nd hand unit, I'd speak to Grizz, as he bought a full RS4 few months ago, though I'm not sure what\if he's got plans for the engine.

[GregorFuk]

Update

Okay so the garage have been back to me and they have had a good look and drive of the car. They don’t think it’s anything internal to the engine and have tracked down the noise to the driver side exhaust manifold upstream of the turbo. They think it may be a failed exhaust manifold (it did sound quite like a rattling heat shield). Has anyone had any experience of this? Because of the relative proximity to the cam lobes I’ve asked them to remove the rocker cover and check the cams, just in case. If not their next step is to remove and replace the manifold. Anybody have a spare one lying around? Or know where I can get a new one for less than the quoted £320?

[jimbo1234567]

tomson had the same problem. and its an engine out job

[GregorFuk]

I think this is the problem I have

http://www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNp ... =manifolds

Garage says they can change turbos / manifolds in-situ, they've done so in the past on the 2.7.

[Blue_Thunder]

Just make sure they give you a written quote first. You might be in for a shock if doing the work in-situ turns out to be a nightmare task.

I think Grizz mentioned a while back he'd been able to do a K03 swap in situ, but tried the same with a K04 and it would have taken more time that just doing an engine pull.

[Blue_Thunder]

And you should be able to pick up a set of 2nd hand manifolds. Try Doug or Grizz.

[GregorFuk]

The garage is a VAG specialist so I can only trust what they say. They have always been very good in the past. There's nowhere else in the area (North East Scotland) where I'd rather take it, transporting it down the Doug or Grizz would be a false economy.

I’ve already had a cost estimate which made me weak at the knees but I guess I’ll just have to deal with it. Saving some cash on a second hand manifold might be an option but then do I risk the same thing happening again?

[grizz]

I've got a set of rs4 manifolds spare . The Drivers side can be changed in with the engine in place ....

[TopBear]

The garage is a VAG specialist so I can only trust what they say. They have always been very good in the past. There's nowhere else in the area (North East Scotland) where I'd rather take it

Is it Star Performance in Kirkcaldy?