Pstark556

I just picked up a 2011 A4 with 37k and this is the only issue with it. When I start the car in the mornings and when it’s at idle, I get what sounds like power steering whine that fades in and out. Doesn’t matter the temperate but it’s loudest when I first start the car then quickly gets quieter (within a few seconds) and then fades in and out at idle.

I flushed the old fluid out with new but it didn’t change.

I’m new to Audi’s and wanted to ask the community if this is a common problem to figure out what I should do next?

SMac770

I think some might have had this issue, something about replacing the two-piece piping with a single-piece pipe or such. Searching should turn up dialog, though I've not seen the topic come up in a really long time.

Pstark556

I contacted a friend of a friend that works at a VW dealer and they said that there is a TSB for this issue. Searching around the web shows messages about shuttering when turning but not about the same noise that I’m getting. I am also getting a little bit of shuttering at low speeds but nothing drastic. I’m more concerned about the noise it makes. Does anyone have the TSB number of this issue? At minimum I need the updated part number that remedies the issue.

A4Audi4Fun

Check all the power steering hose connections and see if any of them are weeping - air being sucked into the PS system can cause weird noises.

Mesquite77

+1 A4Audi4Fun: I have had this on other cars, and it is usually an aging 0-ring, that when cold leaks a bit, but after it warms up it seals. $4 fix if you can find the right o-ring.

Pstark556

I was thinking this could be the issue and it makes sense an o-ring wasn’t sealing completely and sucking in air but I don’t have a way to verify it by pressurizing the whole system to find out where it leaks from.

Pstark556

The vehicle makes this noise with no steering input. If I turn the wheel, it doesn’t change the noise at all.

Because it doesn’t change when I turn the wheel, does that eliminate the pump itself? My thought is it must be getting air into the system from somewhere. The fluid is clear/not aerated either. Maybe the fluid clears up before getting back to the reservoir?