tktrack24

I took the following video showing the sound my 2001 a6 2.7t is making. It seems to be coming from the rear of the engine somewhere. It happens on start up, and only when the engine is cold, and lasts about 30 seconds - a minute. Does anyone know what this is? I am going to be a few hours drive away from my usual mechanic for the next week or two, do you think I need to try to find someone out here to check this out? thanks in advance for the help.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86A6S...e=channel_page

Tik-Tok

I'd guess it's your secondary heat pump, it's close to the firewall, on the drivers side.

Sound like the bearings are shot on it.

Edit to add: It's not a neccessary function of your car, it's just to heat up the cats for better emmissions... if you can, disconnect the plug on it until you can get it replaced... though your check engine light may come on.

tktrack24

thanks, i appreciate the help, i will try doing that

JW944

Yep, believe it is your secondary air pump (I'm guessing you have an automatic - Tiptronic); it runs at start up to pump air into you system as an emissions control until the CAT's heat up.

Make sure the hose is firmly connected to the pump (in the event that it popped off or was left loose after maintenance the pump will be noisy).

IIRC the pump runs about $600 - there are two valves that connect to this pump at each cylinder head at the back - Driver side & Passenger side); those valves run about $180 each, + tax and a little gasket that is need for each so it ends up being about $200, you could be looking at ~ $1k not counting labor.

tktrack24

thanks for the help guys. i located the pump and unplugged it, and the sound is gone, so that does seem to be the issue. is it necessary to replace it right away? i don't really feel like spending $1k right now unless its bad for the car to drive with the pump unplugged... I don't have to pass emissions for a while. Also, is it necessary to do the hoses and gaskets at the same time as the pump? Is it a job that is possible to do yourself or would I have to bring it in? Thanks again for all the help.

quickaudi:STFA

you can do it yourself. it might throw a code for being unplugged after a few startups.

Zaub02A6

I just did mine this weekend. ECS Tuning has the Bosch labeled part for a littler over $200, as opposed to $600 for the Audi labeled part.

Took me maybe 30 minutes. I only replaced the pump, not the hoses and valves.

Brian

quickaudi:STFA

nice! and if they have it for that, someone probably has it even cheaper.