Engine Rattle Video, help!

[tomblows]

http://youtu.be/ML_WsLmkQj

Car history:
2006 b7 s4 avant, automatic
166,000 km on body, only about 100K on the engine. Engine was replaced under warranty at 70,000km due to “porous block”.
Regularly serviced, oil changes every 5-8000 km at respected indy tech (TechMax in Mississauga, Ontario).

There is a oil leak, which would be expensive to even diagnose so I haven’t fixed that and instead just do regular oil changes/monitoring.

Rattling noise:
Car has never made this noise before. It started off as a gentle rattle about a week ago. Then I left to go on vacation for a week so the car was not driven for a week. I came back, went out to buy groceries and heard this awful sound on the drive home. Car still seemed to drive fine, engine pulled etc.

It seemed to get a lot better the following morning when i started the car just to see if the issue was still there (hasn’t been driven since obv). Oil level seems fine, clean.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[tomblows]

whoops. dead video link above.

here is the correct link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML_WsLmkQjc

[Axel]

Hey everyone,

The OP is a local to Toronto and friend. I suggested he post the video here for you guys to listen to. Many of you have way more experience with odd sounds from the S4 than I do so I’m hoping some of you pros can chime in.

Obviously, it’s tough to say when you’re not there yourself, etc. but any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[justincredible]

Welcome you came to the right place. It sounds like the fan or the belt is rubbing on something in the front. Look down the front of the motor between the pulleys and the core support and take another video. Also on the new video try slowly bringing up the revs. Then let the revs drop wait a min then put it in drive and putting your foot on the break give it a little gas. That should really tell us more.

To help try and ease some of your pain. It sounds like it’s a bad roller

[tomblows]

thanks so much for the reply. The car has now been towed to the mechanic, will let you guys know what the issue was!

[justincredible]

Please check back in. That should be helpful for future guys.

[tomblows]

Just got off the phone with the mechanic (Atila at TechMax). He said it’s 100% a timing chain issue, and that he has to pull out the motor to see the full extent of damage and to give a proper quote. He’s saying it’s $6500 at the minimum.

Gonna go in and take some pictures of the damage with the motor out, and post a detailed price breakdown of the quote when i get it.

thanks again

[Axel]

Just got off the phone with the mechanic (Atila at TechMax). He said it’s 100% a timing chain issue, and that he has to pull out the motor to see the full extent of damage and to give a proper quote. He’s saying it’s $6500 at the minimum.

Gonna go in and take some pictures of the damage with the motor out, and post a detailed price breakdown of the quote when i get it.

thanks again

JHM has decent pricing on timing chain kits with some better than OEM options. Before you do anything purchase wise, talk to JHM in person. Call them and discuss your options in length.

[sakimano]

Don’t get trapped. Get another opinion.

[JimmyBones]

Welcome you came to the right place. It sounds like the fan or the belt is rubbing on something in the front. Look down the front of the motor between the pulleys and the core support and take another video. Also on the new video try slowly bringing up the revs. Then let the revs drop wait a min then put it in drive and putting your foot on the break give it a little gas. That should really tell us more.

To help try and ease some of your pain. It sounds like it’s a bad roller

It sounds like a bad roller for the serp belt tensioner or the idler roller to me as well. Both of those parts were updated because of they would make noises.

You would have to pay importing fees since you live in Canada but JHM has come out with an automatic tensioner kit to replace the factory tensioner and idler roller. http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalog/belt-jhm-automatic-tensioner-conversion-kit-for-b6-b7-s4-42l-v8-40v-p-2626.html

Don’t get trapped. Get another opinion.

Totally agree!

[justincredible]

Just got off the phone with the mechanic (Atila at TechMax). He said it’s 100% a timing chain issue, and that he has to pull out the motor to see the full extent of damage and to give a proper quote. He’s saying it’s $6500 at the minimum.

Gonna go in and take some pictures of the damage with the motor out, and post a detailed price breakdown of the quote when i get it.

thanks again

Well if he is going to pull the motor your going to want pictures. It really didn’t sound like a timing chain issue. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad idea to look over and freshen up the timing components. Just make sure you check out jhm they have upgraded parts for the chain guide system that will last longer and save you money.

[tomblows]

Hi everyone, thanks for all your thoughtful replies, it was a great help, even just for the psychological counseling of having someone listen and understand the struggles of owning and maintaining a b7 s4!

it turns out that upon closer inspection, it was a starter motor issue, and it was replaced for about $1000 including tax. ($500 for the part, $50 for some oil, and $350 labour + tax). sound is now gone, and car runs like a dream!

[happy2b5]

Sure beats $6500! Same shop saying 100% timing issue?

[sakimano]

Just got off the phone with the mechanic (Atila at TechMax). He said it’s 100% a timing chain issue, and that he has to pull out the motor to see the full extent of damage and to give a proper quote. He’s saying it’s $6500 at the minimum.

requoted for fail (by Atila and TechMax)

[justincredible]

Not that it’s a bad idea to do the timing stuff but that was a big miss.