So when I fire up the car and wait for it to warm up properly there is a noise that in some cases sticks around but in other cases seems to get a bit better the warmer the car gets.

When I am standing outside and in front of the car it literally sounds like a bunch of stones gargling around in a tin coffee can. It sounds like it is coming from the power steering pump area.

I am at 147k miles and this is my second PS Pump. I am not 100% it is causing the noise, just wondering if anyone else had any experience to share.

Thanks

I got a used one from Force 5 for like $40 I think.

Try some 100oct. Might be pinging

I am going to have my car in the shop tonight/tomorrow to have the tie rods freed up and a CV boot replaced and I am going to have them listen to the noise closely when they first fire it up.

I am using 91-92 octane but this noise is different from pinging.

it's warm enough out there today to try cycling it on/off and check for change in sound...

or, if you recently installed an alum flywheel. 8-)

or, your still having fan clutch issues...

<center><img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/41900-41999/41966.gif"></center><p>You can also use a long screwdriver and listen to the end of the handle with the blade on the suspected bad part, but for $4.99 there's really no reason not to have a set of these in your tool box. Sears has them too, but at $14.99.<ul><li><a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=41966">$4.99 @ Harbor Freight</a></li></ul>

... sound. Then it broke. She's lucky her car doesnt have an interference motor like our cars do! That aside, my car makes a slight rubbing sound when its cold. I found that it is my timing belt cover. When I push on it a bit, the sound goes away.

found the problem, and left me the part to fix it.What a joy to fix, remove the bumper, yada, yada.

They (The Kansas City Gurus) listened poked and prodded and could come up with no diagnosis. and then admitted that each of their UrS4s made and still make) the exact same noise....

I'm not going to worry about it too much since I don't have the money to go spelunking down that rabbit hole.

Soon after I first bought my S4 in 2000 I had a tapping noise from the motor. Being that is was my first Audi, I brought to a dealer in western MA who was supposedly good with these cars. They took it in, listened and said not to worry, that all Audi's tap a little at 65K miles. He said he owned the same car and it tapped like that. He said it was the lifters. That same day on the ride home I burned and exhaust valve. That tapping we think was a loose (VERY loose) spark plug which was causing that cylinder to run very lean and hot. All the plugs came out without a wrench. The tapping one came out with only a few turns.

I am not saying you have a serious motor problem. But I wouldn't just let it go either. Cars do not make noises for no reason. Like Dave says, You are going to Anger the Audi Gods if you ignore their signs ; )

as it was late and I had had a couple of brandy old fashioned when I posted above....

I stand behind these guys 110%. they did not say it was a non issue only that they could not find the source in the limited time I gave them to listen to it. We'll give it another go in a month or two.

also since it has been 2* +/- here the noise has diminished.