bspurloc

coming from passenger side of engine.
Unsure what this noise is. I don't think its the lifters as it doesn't get louder taking the oil cap off. I can't feel it at any of the locations I touched. possible EGR? as you see it stops in about 45seconds. although that seems way too fast for an EGR to reach operating temperature. The oil is not low. PLEASE dont be related to the 3.6 oil pump bolt failure. sigh

Thanks

smith2010Q7

it sounds like your valves are tapping which it is not pumping oil fast enough to the valve body.

bspurloc

When I took the oil cap off I saw the noise was matching their movement, but I would assume it would have gotten louder.
This started about a month ago. It wants the oil changed now.

bspurloc

well changed the oil...
You would think if it was a pumping issue it would have made the sound after changing the oil. I did it with the engine pretty hot and the oil flowing like water. Made no sounds on startup. in the morning though it did it...

M3 Ninja

that sounds really bad dude. No idea what it could be, but it sounds like valvetrain to me.

bspurloc

well not really, it just sounds like the valves clicking, but they always stop after about 45 seconds. but why!
maybe it is oil delivery... just hope its not because of the effing oil pump bolt on this 3.6 engine. 130k miles co-worker bought it brand new so I know all its history which isnt much.

bspurloc

is it possible that noise is the throttle body messing up?

bspurloc

I am beginning to think this noise is something pumping air into the system on cold startup.
I think I found 2 loose fallen bolts now. I put my hand under the left area this time and I can feel a ton of air blowing down at my hand which should not be something u feel coming from the engine. unless its from the radiator fan, which it obviously is not.
I am thinking maybe these bolts fell from something up where I can't see that goes to blow/inject air into the system something is separating opening up a gap for air to blow out and to hear the intakes/air pump.
I am going to guess maybe this area I can't see had to be taken off to do work on the upper cats which I believe audi recently replaced on this car per my friend I bought it from.

M3 Ninja

Is it the secondary air pump? It's a garbage emissions things, only runs on a cold startup. You could try finding that and unplugging the electrical connection to see if it stops it.

bspurloc

I am not sure yet, that back area is so hard to look at. if I could remove that huge heat shield it would be so much easier. My friend found another bolt in his garage that fell out when we did the oil. It looks more like a bolt that would hold such a device. I have to get the measurements of it and research where it came from.
I am really thinking its all related cuz on hard throttle for a split second you can hear air escaping.
This is the exact reason I don't let people touch my cars. I do all my own work. but I didnt own it when this work was done.