Tappety Noise Problem Please Help!

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waggy2uk

Member
Hi Everyone

I have just joined this forum so I do apologize in advance if I have put my enquiry in the wrong section or anything else I have done wrong.

I just purchased a 2001 1.4SE A2 with 67K on the clock.
There is no service history.
I noticed when I drove away with it a tappety noise. It got a little louder and quicker as I accelerated however when I put my foot off the accelerator the tappety noise goes away.
When it is idle the tappety noise is still there however it is not very loud but you can hear it.
Is this normal?
I had a 1.4i Honda Civic before this and it did not make this noise thats why it concerned me.

The problem is that I took it to a number of independant garages but all came back with different diagnosis which is causing me a major problem as I do not know who to turn to and I do not want to end up with the same problem after paying for the work.
1. First one said the tappets need changing aswell as the camshaft
2. Second one stated the tappets only need a clean and an oil change
3. Third one said it needs a flush and oil change
4. Fourth one said the bottom end is gone so uneconomical for repair
5. Fifth one said the timing of the tappets is out of place with the camshaft so just need adjusted
6. Sixth one said the timing belt needs chaged and the tensioner belts (previous owener said its been done however I have no proof that it has been and it was something I was going to change anyway)

I have checked the oil which is fresh then again the previous owner did say it was servived in June and since then only done a few hundred miles.
As you can see I have been given a number of solutions but I really do not know anything about what they have said.
I bought the car for £2000 and the thought of major repairs is giving me a headache.
I wish I noticed the engine noise whilst checking the car but I guess I just got caught up in the excitement of purchasing my first A2 which I have been sourcing for a while.

Any help or pointers will be greatly appreciated.
 
the tappets are loud on an AUA engine (which is what you'll have). Stop worrying, it's "normal" and won't cause an issue.

You can change them for peace of mind, but it's a complex job. A flush next time you change the oil will doubtless help for a while. They wear over time and at some point they'll doubtless give up the ghost, but we're talking the other side of 120000 miles.

Change the cambelt as a matter of priority.

- Bret
 
Hi Bret

Thank you very much for your reply I really appreciate it.
I was hugely worried after getting quotes of between £400 and £500 and those garages saying that I must change as a matter of priority.
It has put my mind at ease - I have booked it in for a complete timing belt kit change.

Cheers :)
 
When doing the timing belt make sure the water pump and the small belt which goes between the camshafts are changed at the same time.
Audi sell the cambelt kit which includes the tensioner and idler rollers (its cheaper than buying the parts separately) but it does not include the small belt.

Cheers Spike
 
Thanks Spike

Any idea the cost would be for the full kit including the camshaft belt and water pump?
How much should an independant garage charge for installing this?
Also do you think I should get the tappets replaced and or the camshaft aswell at the sametime?
Sorry for all these questions.
Thank you again for your quick reply.
 
Tappets (Hydrostössel, actually, so that's hydro actuators) are going to be a £1200 job. Just get the pump, belts and rollers changed; should be significantly under £500 for everything.

- Bret
 
Cheers Bret.
Having an oil change and flush today.
Booking for the full timing belt kit and water pump change hopefully for this Thursday.

Quick question - one of the garages mentioned the tappets are self adjusting on these models therefore if its abit noisy they just need adjusting but not changed.
Is this true?

Thanks
 
waggy2uk said:
Quick question - one of the garages mentioned the tappets are self adjusting on these models therefore if its abit noisy they just need adjusting but not changed.
Is this true?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Not really as there is no mechanical adjustment.
The tappets are hydraulic and use engine oil pressure to 'pump them up' Thats why they can be noisy at start-up as the oil pressure takes a few seconds to activate them. Sometimes the tappet oil galleries can become partially blocked which is why an oil flush can make a difference.

Cheers Spike
 
Update

I had the oil changed and flush and it has not made any difference.
It will be going back into the garage tommorrow morning where the rocker cover will be opened to check if the camshaft is worn and the condition of the tappets.
I hope it is not anything bad as I guess I can live with the tappety noise.
Audi will carry out a free health check on Thursday so it will be interesting to get their view.
Will keep you posted to the diagnosis.
 
Our A2 is noisy too. Sounds like an oil burner until she warms up! Noise drops off a lot, but it's always there. She has 115k on the clock now, so I mustn't grumble. Any news on yours would be worth hearing.

Cheers.
 
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