Randall Ryder

On cold mornings there is a terrible metalic noise coming from my engine when it starts. Sound goes away after about 3-4 minutes. Anyone have a similar problem or suggestions as to the cause? Reminds me of bad lifters.....

ErikR

Go to an autoparts store and get a cheap stethoscope, poke around the cold engine and see where the noise is coming from. Otherwise, it could be a dozen things, all unrelated and most not a problem.

You are running a 5w30 oil as specified by AUDI?!

Oh, and what year and engine is this?

MC Turner

Simple... Use a a thinner oil. As the car sits the oil drains to the pan. Then in the morning when you first start the car the thick cold oil has to be pumped through the engine. Until oil reaches the hydralic lifters they "tick"... use 10w/30 or 10/40 in the winter. Or a good synthetic 5w oil. This condition is normal..


MC Turner

Bob

Does it sound like a valve rapping sound? If so this is a known Audi Problem.

ChuckH

...thing, even with 5W-30 Mobil 1. All hydraulic lifters are dry right at startup and make noise. However, it should not last more than a few seconds, so either Randall is experiencing something else, or he has a lifter problem.

Charles

Randall Ryder

This is a 98 A-4, 2.8 Quattro with 20,000 miles. I am using 5W30 oil. The sound is coming from the engine. It is not a belt or a fan. Sound is very similar to that of a car I had years ago with bad lifters. Is this car known to have such a problem??