indydrt

Hi Bunky my 05 a4 avant 1.8T at 35,000 miles started same problem and i let the warranty expire like a dummy figuring it was gona take a fluid change noise was not so bad at 35k but now at 44 k its worse and i did not buy a warranty. So far i have posted this same problem on hear and nobody responds yet so ..oh well.
i bought it used from a guy who had the diff worked on at the dealer so maybe its the same problem reocuring?? BTW it also happens the whine when put into nuetral off load so im hoping its drivetrain related outside of the trans ..its a quattro also. So if you ever found out what it was is your car please reply if you see see thanks take care.Don

wingsp4n

I have the same issue with my '03 A4 3.0 Quattro (~100k miles). The whine is a low hum at idle and is very pronounced between 1000 and 1900 RPM, but goes away above that range. The noise definitely seems to be based in the engine somewhere...it appears with and without load. There is no change with the clutch in or out, car in neutral or in gear.

I originally thought power steering also since my car screams at me when I turn the wheel. The power steering fluid level is good, although it does have some air in (which I bleed regularly as a temporary fix).

The accessory belt tensioner seems like a possibility. I'm looking for anything I can do to sort this issue out.

Thanks!

sharkydog

Ditto here - 2002 quattro tip 1.8T.

The whine sounds "metallic" - definitely some unhealthy friction occurring.

Incidentally, I have what appears to be a tranny fluid leak that occurred at the same time as the whining. The leak drips more severely when I put it in reverse. When the car is in D / or tip, the leak slows down to almost nothing. The leaking fluid (dark grayish) appears to come from the place where 'geared' wheel is (where the engine meets the tranny). You can see the 'geared wheel' from above (move the coolant reservoir out of the way), or below (almost directly above the rear clips for the belly pan).

I was hoping it was a differential leak of some kind, but I honestly don't know how to tell if it is. Any ideas?

You boys seeing any kind of leak too? (Might be slow, check your belly pan!

earleyksig

I have searched and searched for someone having this issue and this is the first I've seen. Mine is doing almost the same thing, whine/hum will start at about 45 mph and under when I let off of the accelerator. However, mine also will only do it when the A/C is on or if it's below about 60 degrees outside. When it's below 60 my powersteering is also very loud as well and the resovoir will be full of bubbles, fluid level is fine. I've had 4 shops look at mine and I've been told anywhere from the rack to the A/C compressor. I just had a full service done, including timing belt, tensioners, drive belt, drive belt tensioner, etc. This did not fix the noise what so ever. Is anyone elses noise relate to the A/C when it's warm out? If I'm giong down a ramp when it's 65+ outside as soon as I hit 45 or so the noise starts but if I immediatley turn the A/C off it goes away. But if it's cold out it does it even if the A/C is off. Also, I have a bit of a rough idle that gets worse when my powersteering is being loud, RPM's will also jump a bit when turning the wheel if I'm at a stop. It's driving me crazy! Mine also doesn't start until after a few minutes of driving, but at the same time, after driving 30-45 minutes it seems to almost go away.

earleyksig

Could this cause a problem? When I bought the car it had mismatched tires on it, the tires in the front seem to be a bit newer then the back ones.

a44me2

I have had the same issue in my 02 3.0 quattro. I flushed the p/s fluid and bled the system several times (took 7 days of driving and rechecking the fluid level) before the noise subsided. I find that my p/s system is quietest with a very slightly overfilled resevoir. Also, I found that my fluid was brown and smelly so I kept draining and refilling the resevoir(turn the wheel lock to lock many times after each fill to bleed the system) with fresh fluid until the fluid was the proper greenish colour. I believe that this is related to accessory belt slippage which is causing the fluid to overheat. I plan on replacing the belt tensioner as well as checking the altenater pulley(I believe it has a type of clutch or bearing) as I also noticed that the noise was louder in cold weather but also under electrical load. (eg. headlights, radio and heated seats on)

indydrt

Thanks i will check that .. wow now i have something to do..or a place to start

indydrt

Well i still have not looked close yet im trying to read more here and get a better idea where to look . So far i will start at fron wheel bearings . then Not sure after that. The noise follows the car speed . IF i put the Tiptronic in Nuetral at anyspeed 30.40. mph i hear it.
Totally goes away under acceleration. So anyone have any ideas where else to look . Iam not going to the dealer Just hope its not a diff or trans.

a44me2

As I posted before I had the same whine noise when slowing, and loud power steering when turning the wheel. Also had a crap load of bubbles in the ps resevoir and smelly dark fluid as some others have noted. What I found today was that the clamp holding the hose to the top of the ps pump was not holding so tight, and I could just move the hose back and forth a hair. The pump was also covered in a black oily goo (very dirty) So I replaced the clamp and the noise and bubbles are GONE!!!! Check your pump hose connections, some of you sound like you have the same problem and it does not seem to take much to fill these ps systems with air and drive you nuts!

indydrt

Ok
Thank you,
I will also now check my power steering unit , although i do not have noise from steering when turned at any speed or none. But worth a check thanks .