Dommi3

Does anyone have a clue as to what this noise may be? It's quite difficult to describe, it almost sounds like an air leak of some sort. Ironically, this occurred just after getting the car Smog Certified in the State of California.

Is there a possible connection to the noise and the Smog Check? I didn't actually witness the smog station doing the test. I'm curious to know if while doing the test, they remove and/or disconnect anything in the process? If so I think it's likely it wasn't put back properly.

If anyone has any information or related experiences please comment.

Thanks!

dommi3/Tiburon, California
1997 A8 Quattro Silver/Gray
17" Audi Wheels
All Available Options
-------------------------
Previous Audi

1990 V8 Quattro

linusA8

I just bought my car in Cali and it was smog checked. Just a week after I would hear a squeal after a cold start...Took it to the dealer and they said the car just needs to be driven more, since it is a 99 with under 30K...Not sure if that is worth listening too..but we will see....

PaulW

How long does it last? Does it change or just go away?

linusA8

Mine only lasts like 2 seconds

PaulW

It was a very high pitched noise coming from under the car or in the engine compartment. It lasted about 5-10 seconds and went away.

In my daze, I looked under my car and thought I saw tranny fluid dripping, but it was cold out, I was just seeing condensatation or martinis from the night before.

I had it towed to the dealer, everything was fine, they said it was the nut that holds one of the hoses on the front of the engine had come loose and dropped in the serpentine belt.

Who knows?

Maybe it's your serpentine belt is glazed over or does not have the correct tension on it. It's easy to tension if you'd like me to tell you how.

pw

Dommi3

dommi3/Tiburon, California
1997 A8 Quattro Silver/Gray
17" Audi Wheels
All Available Options
-------------------------
Previous Audi

1990 V8 Quattro

Dommi3

Wow, you must admit that's pretty damn ironic that both of us had the same experience just after getting the car California Smog Certified. I wonder if there's any relation?

Thanks for the input.

dommi3/Tiburon, California
1997 A8 Quattro Silver/Gray
17" Audi Wheels
All Available Options
-------------------------
Previous Audi

1990 V8 Quattro

Dommi3

Mine disappears approximately 85% about 2 seconds after start up. It seems to get quieter the longer I drive it. However, when driving with the windows open on quite road near walls reflecting the engine sounds back up to me in the drivers seat, I can hear that there is still a faint squeal that is absolutely related to the same noise I'm hearing on cold starts most noticible when accelerating. It sounds like it's a vacuum hose that is either leaking or not connected properly. I'm assuming the heat from the engine compartment is causing change or making things fit differently causing the noise to change. I hope it's a simple fix. It better not be the Timing Belt or the Serpentine belt. Both of those were replaced less than 20K miles ago and that was an extremely expensive service.

Thanks for the response.

dommi3/Tiburon, California
1997 A8 Quattro Silver/Gray
17" Audi Wheels
All Available Options
-------------------------
Previous Audi

1990 V8 Quattro

linusA8

I have only heard the noise twice and both times there was moisture on the outside of the car from sitting outside in the moring. Since I live in San Francisco and every morning is cold with a lot of fog, I figure maybe it is just moisture on a belt. Started her up this morning and not a problem.

linusA8

How much was the timing belt service?