Farmjazz

Visual inspection with starter removed yielded no clues to mystery noise. Service guy recorded noise with engine running and sent audio file to Audi technicians to give opinion on source of noise. (I also have copy) So, everything that could be done without removing transmission was done. This afternoon, they started removing transmission to gain access to torque converter and flex plate. Their educated guess is something in there is amiss. Should find out Monday what the problem is. Service manager has knocked off some of the bill since they are taking so long to fix car with my wife stranded away from home. She's staying with kids and grand kids, so that takes some of the edge off. Today was watercolor painting.

dvs_dave

Part 3 of story here, rod through block: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-...hurry-2882560/

Info on timing belts and wear diagnosis here: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-.../#post24682893