07 B4 loud clattering from valve cover!
 

OK guys, I'm stumped! My 2.0T has the dreaded "noise" on the top of the motor and I know this is common. Seems that there are more than one thing that can cause this, but I so far cannot figure it out. Here is what is going on and what I've checked:

1) When started cold, it will run quiet for a bit and then the loud clattering starts.
2) I heard about common sludge issues causing low oil pressure, so I was going to try a flush. Lots of advice out there on flushing the motor with all kinds of stuff.
3) Before doing a flush, I decided to verify sludge and condition under the valve cover.
4) After removing the valve cover, I was surprised how clean everything was and how the oil was clean as well.
5) Next I needed to inspect the Cam Chain Tensioner etc...So I pulled the HPFP, vacuum pump and cam chain cover.
6) I was again surprised to find that it all looks good!??? The chain is tight and the tensioner is in nice condition with no missing or broken guides. The follower on the HPFP as well as the cam lobe are not worn either.
7) Next thing I did was pull fuel pump fuse and crank over the engine to see if I had oil coming up to the top. Seems like it was very little, but I'm not sure if its supposed to be squirting or just seeping up with just the starter cranking.
8) I also while cranking set it right to TDC and all the markers line up perfect. So this is where I left it and needed to think about it.
9) Couple other notes here. There was no low oil pressure light on dash. I ran a diagnostic and there was no codes suggesting a timing issue.
10 Next step is not definite as I am not sure where to go. I could replace the tensioner and maybe the cam adjuster? I could put it all back together and hook up a oil pressure gauge to verify oil pressure?

I put this up here to see if anyone can shed some light on what it could be. I have an A8 with a failing tensioner and it is nowhere as loud as the A4 is. The motor seems to run smooth if it is revved up, as the loudest noise is at idle. I did see one post somewhere that the cam adjuster failed and made a lot of noise?

Thanks for any help.

B

OK, so I was at my local Indie shop to get a BMW worked on and decided to ask the tech there that is their german car specialist about my A4. So after some back and forth he said he thinks that his scanner can perform a test that cycles the solenoid on the cam adjuster. He said it is used in conjunction with a solvent to get it unstuck due to sludge etc...

I wonder if my VAGCOM has that feature? Ill check more tomorrow and talk to him again.

Feel free to chime in.