Tapping from top of engine and whining through gears

[slapsalmon]

Wondering if anyone can help here, I think I have 2 separate issues one may not be an issue.

 

Just bought a 67 a4 1.4tfsi. 1st gear is pretty noisy, but I've read various things that say it is noisy on these cars. When accelerating at low revs I have a whine that goes up with rpm, get it in every gear though each gear quieter than the last. When I put the foot down the engine noise stops me hearing it, so I'm not sure if I have an issue or it's normal. I haven't had someone drive past me in the car to see if I can hear it outside, but I don't think I can hear it with the windows down. Seems like it's coming through the floor. And with Aircon on and radio on its not nearly as noticeable, just would've thought on a car at this price that noise wouldn't be there.

 

The second issue is a tapping noise from the top of the engine. I've done a few bits and bobs on cars but never been near an engine, know nothing about them. Tried the old screwdriver stethoscope and it seems to be coming from the middle of the engine to the right of where the spark plugs are at the middle 2 spark plugs. I took the timing belt cover off to have a look and see if anything was loose before I knew where it was coming from and the top left sprocket (camshaft pulley? As I said no idea about engines) doesn't seem to be spinning perfectly centred if that makes sense. Looks like it has a wobble and is spinning off axis. My guess is that's not normal. Not sure I can upload a video here to show it.

 

I have a warranty etc, but just looking for an idea of what to expect before I take it in and they tell me yeah it's normal.

 

Thanks in advance for any advice

[Magnet]

Hello Gary, 

I’ve got to go out now, but will respond later. 
Meanwhile, I would suggest you don’t put any spanners on anything, but spend a bit of search time locating a trusted local Audi independent. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[slapsalmon]

Thanks mate, nah not planning on touching anything just looked under the cover to see if there was anything obvious, it'll be going back under warranty just wanted to be informed before I was told there's nothing wrong. Thanks

[Magnet]

Back now Gary, 

My stab on it is this, based on if it we me:- 

I would inform the seller (local to you?) by E-mail -  of your suspected discontents with the car.

I would certainly be getting a probably- have-to-pay -for inspection by an experienced local independent, and obtaining a written report for forwarding with your claim/potential rejection of the car. 
Yes, I would take comfort from the fact that I had a warranty, but the practicality of using it due to distances involved may not be straightforward, and it may have caveats in relation to wear and tear. 
All this is admittedly pessimistic, but I wouldn’t expect a cared for car of that age to be presenting the noises you describe. 
I would also be wary of attempts to repair taking the vehicle rejection beyond the 30? day legal entitlement. 
All in all, I would be going forward in a well researched manner, and not assuming that the warranty is all you need to have behind you. Warranties don’t come with a warranty against hassle! 
Perhaps you could let us know how you get on Gary. 
Good luck and kind regards,

Gareth. 

[slapsalmon]

8 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Back now Gary, 

My stab on it is this, based on if it we me:- 

I would inform the seller (local to you?) by E-mail -  of your suspected discontents with the car.

I would certainly be getting a probably- have-to-pay -for inspection by an experienced local independent, and obtaining a written report for forwarding with your claim/potential rejection of the car. 
Yes, I would take comfort from the fact that I had a warranty, but the practicality of using it due to distances involved may not be straightforward, and it may have caveats in relation to wear and tear. 
All this is admittedly pessimistic, but I wouldn’t expect a cared for car of that age to be presenting the noises you describe. 
I would also be wary of attempts to repair taking the vehicle rejection beyond the 30? day legal entitlement. 
All in all, I would be going forward in a well researched manner, and not assuming that the warranty is all you need to have behind you. Warranties don’t come with a warranty against hassle! 
Perhaps you could let us know how you get on Gary. 
Good luck and kind regards,

Gareth. 

Yeah it's local, was a big dealership, problem is I work miles away and stay through there when I'm working.

 

They've not gave me any hassles or argued when it's been in so far. Was in to get window seals, mirror glass and heated seat pad replaced. It's over the 30 days now, but as I said they haven't gave me any problems with getting stuff fixed. Was just wanting to be as armed as possible when it goes in so I've got an idea what could be causing it. The only things I've ever tackled on cars were broken springs and track rod ends. Pretty straightforward stuff and they also happened to be on old shitboxes I wasn't frightened of breaking!

 

Oddly nothing shows up on the Audi service history through the app, but they say it's showing on their portal. Ever heard of that? It had a fuel line clip recall done when I first put it in and that's not showing either which I thought was odd.

 

Thanks

[Magnet]

Forget most of what I suggested since ‘just bought’ is obviously  in excess of 30 days. Shame you hadn’t mentioned that Gary - it would have saved me giving you inappropriate advice.
Good luck with it. 
Kind regards, Gareth. 

[slapsalmon]

2 minutes ago, Magnet said:

Forget most of what I suggested since ‘just bought’ is obviously  in excess of 30 days. Shame you hadn’t mentioned that Gary - it would have saved me giving you inappropriate advice.
Good luck with it. 
Kind regards, Gareth. 

No problem, as I said in the first post, I was looking for advice on the causes of the issues rather than how to reject it. I'm not particularly worried about anything like that as I'm fairly certain the onus is on them to prove the issue wasn't present when the car was sold. It's over 30 days, but we're not talking I've had the car for months. The issues have been reported, just not looked at and diagnosed.

 

Hopefully someone reads and has an idea what is causing the noise so I have an idea what to expect and don't get bluffed off.

[Magnet]

Ok, but it really doesn’t matter if anyone else has the same issue  - you have - and these issues need sorting. Again, I don’t understand the logic that you are expected to be able to diagnose or have any experience of others who might have had similar issues. 
By what you say, the sellers seems to have been accommodating with sorting out other issues over your many months of ownership, so it’s difficult to understand why they might be less so with sorting out your current discontents. 

[slapsalmon]

1 minute ago, Magnet said:

Ok, but it really doesn’t matter if anyone else has the same issue  - you have - and these issues need sorting. Again, I don’t understand the logic that you are expected to be able to diagnose or have any experience of others who might have had similar issues. 
By what you say, the sellers seems to have been accommodating with sorting out other issues over your many months of ownership, so it’s difficult to understand why they might be less so with sorting out your current discontents. 

I haven't had the car for months as I said above.

 

The reason i asked as I said in the original post, was to find out if these cars have a slight whine and a noisy first gear as it may not even be an issue at all.

 

The reason I asked about the tapping was also as I said in the original post so I was armed with as much information as possible on something I know nothing about and don't just get told "changed the oil sorted" or something along those lines.

 

The work that was already done didn't need a mechanic or any knowledge. The heated seat was either working or not. I am able to tell that by sitting in it. I'm not able to tell what could be causing a noise with the engine. As much as they've been accomodating with the work, I'd like to have an idea of what could potentially be causing it to see if it lines up with what they tell me, because they have been good with it in the past doesn't mean they're going to be in the future if it turns out to be something more expensive they need to do and can get out of it.

 

As I said, hopefully someone will be along who has an idea what could be causing it so I have as much information as possible when it goes in.