So -- was it the $#@*%& flapper valve after all?
09-23-2006, 11:11 PM
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So -- was it the $#@*%& flapper valve after all?
<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/51356/flappershimdontdothis.jpg"></center><p>Mr. Schwing suggested I remove the flapper valve from the equation. (Troubleshooting a suspected 'pinging' noise from the engine at low RPM's, only 1000 miles on the car.)
Biggest noise problem with these 3.2 flappers, to my eye and ear, is in seen in the photo -- the actuator rod and the solenoid body both have play, and will absolutely rattle. (There should be a bushing on the rod, and a better shim on the valve body mount to keep it solidly in place. What's wrong with Audi engineers/ suppliers here? Shabby. Jeez.)
In the photo, you can see a single-edged razor blade pressed in as a makeshift shim. That, and blocking off the vacuum line temporarily resulted in...
No more noise from the flapper valve.
And a continuation of hideous pinging from the engine.
And a jingling noise that's still coming from somewhere in the powertrain, like it has since I took delivery at 48 miles.
I mean, that flapper valve was wedged tight for the test, and the other powertrain noises are, sadly, still what they are.
So it's the Worst Case Scenario: I have to go to the dealer on Monday and ask them to act like mechanics. And stand my ground. With my brand-new, unsoiled precious. Ehhhhhhhh.
Thanks for all the feedback from the Forum. It helped me weed out the likely culprit, the flapper valve -- and remove it from the suspect list. Go figure.
PS: Do not follow this photo and shim your flapper solenoid with razor blades and drive around. That would be moronic, dangerous, and plain stupid. Thank you.
Biggest noise problem with these 3.2 flappers, to my eye and ear, is in seen in the photo -- the actuator rod and the solenoid body both have play, and will absolutely rattle. (There should be a bushing on the rod, and a better shim on the valve body mount to keep it solidly in place. What's wrong with Audi engineers/ suppliers here? Shabby. Jeez.)
In the photo, you can see a single-edged razor blade pressed in as a makeshift shim. That, and blocking off the vacuum line temporarily resulted in...
No more noise from the flapper valve.
And a continuation of hideous pinging from the engine.
And a jingling noise that's still coming from somewhere in the powertrain, like it has since I took delivery at 48 miles.
I mean, that flapper valve was wedged tight for the test, and the other powertrain noises are, sadly, still what they are.
So it's the Worst Case Scenario: I have to go to the dealer on Monday and ask them to act like mechanics. And stand my ground. With my brand-new, unsoiled precious. Ehhhhhhhh.
Thanks for all the feedback from the Forum. It helped me weed out the likely culprit, the flapper valve -- and remove it from the suspect list. Go figure.
PS: Do not follow this photo and shim your flapper solenoid with razor blades and drive around. That would be moronic, dangerous, and plain stupid. Thank you.
09-24-2006, 01:08 PM
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I feel your pain dude. My 3.2 was just as troublesome at the start
After one week of driving, it spent the next two weeks at the dealer having the engine opened up twice. After that though, it has been smooth sailing aside from both headlights being completely replaced. One great thing to come out of my ordeal is a 60,000 mile 5 year warranty 
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