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Audi A4 Maintenance and Repair

2367 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 8:34 AM

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What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Convertible, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 205 of 237

#2040 of 2367 2003 Audi A4 1.8 T NEW noise. HELP! by pigeonlover

Jul 29, 2009 (7:27 am)

First of all, I'm a 51 year old female psychiatric RN who does not know much about cars. Psych meds yes/automobiles, no.
My cars are purchased brand new, I hang on to them for a long time, get regular maintenance, oil changes, and parts replaced when the record books say they need to be or if needed, and are driven well. I've always driven manual transmitions and feel I drive very well. This car does not even have a ding on it!
 
I purchased my Audi A4 1.8 T (5 speed manual) AWD, brand new in 2003 and except for the high cost of maintanence, I've been really happy with my Audi. It beats the heck out of my last car; a Suburu Outback (although I still think the subaru drove better in the snow). It's got great tires on it (almost new) and this car has been fun to own and drive. It's a commuter car, has high miles as I live in the country and commute to the city. About 135,000 miles. Mostly freeway miles.
 
That said, after my last tire purchase (same nice Michelon tires that I had on it before, which I remember being really quiet) about 4 months ago the car developed a low "growling" sound. It is pretty loud and the faster the car goes, the louder it gets. My friend who had not ridden in my car since this started yesterday commented "what's wrong with your Audi? I've never heard it sound like this? The engine sounds so loud!" You don't notice it much driving around town slow, but get this baby on the highway and you have to turn the radio up really loud to hear it or talk above normal to be heard.
This sounds ljust ike when you are shifting to a higher gear and ran up the RPM's a bit too high (not that I'VE ever done that). The sound is EXACTLY the same if I'm in 5th gear going up hill, down hill OR COASTING downhill in neutral. It's pretty loud and the faster the car is going, the louder it gets,
The temperature gauze has not changed. Stays right in the middle between cold and hot. Never moves after the car is going.
 
The check engine light has never come on.
 
It's annoying and although the car appears to drive just fine, I'm wondering if:
A: it COULD be the new tires?
B. Is something seriously wrong and I'm doing damage by continuing to commute in this car without getting it checked?
C. If it is the engine, why hasn't the check engine light come on, and what it could be?
Where should I start? Tires? Engine? Start looking at new cars again?
Thanks in advance to anyone that might be able to help me with this.

#2041 of 2367 Re: 2003 Audi A4 1.8 T NEW noise. HELP! [pigeonlover] by rowlandj

Jul 30, 2009 (4:47 am)

Replying to: pigeonlover (Jul 29, 2009 7:27 am)
A speed sensitive 'growl' as you describe likely has to do with axle bearings or wheel bearings. If you have them checked out you may find that they are in need of replacement. With this vehicle I would expect that the fronts are the issue.
 
You will likely need replacement of the offending part but I would not drive it too much before you have it checked out as a bad bearing can wither seize or let go and leave you stranded and with more damage to the vehicle.

#2042 of 2367 Re: 2003 Audi A4 1.8 T NEW noise. HELP! [rowlandj] by pigeonlover

Jul 30, 2009 (6:38 am)

Replying to: rowlandj (Jul 30, 2009 4:47 am)
Thank you. I'll get it checked out ASAP.

#2043 of 2367 Re: 2003 Audi A4 1.8 T NEW noise. HELP! [pigeonlover] by rowlandj

Jul 30, 2009 (7:53 pm)

Replying to: pigeonlover (Jul 30, 2009 6:38 am)
Good luck with that and please report back to the boards as to what the diagnosis turns out to be.

#2044 of 2367 01 A4 1.8T windshield leakage by pfunknation

Aug 03, 2009 (11:59 am)

Does anyone have any experience with windshield leakage from an a4. Dang thing is very noisy at highway speeds and leaks whenever there is heavy rain. Water goes down the windshield posts and has caused problems with the airbags.
 
I have had the sunroof drain cleared but that has not solved the problem.

#2045 of 2367 Re: 2003 Audi A4 1.8 T NEW noise. HELP! [pigeonlover] by vwdawg

Aug 04, 2009 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: pigeonlover (Jul 30, 2009 6:38 am)
pigeonlover: I would tend to agree with rowlandj that wheel bearings might be the problem, especially considering that you have 135k miles on them w/o prior replacement. My understanding is that if you are driving at highway speeds and turn your steering wheel slightly (not aggressively, of course!) either way, the noise will stop if it is a wheel bearing. I have a bad left front bearing on my '97 A4, 95k miles, and when I turn the wheel left the noise does stop. audiphile1

#2046 of 2367 2001 Audi A4 Timing Belt by sandythek

Aug 04, 2009 (5:04 pm)

When I brought my 2001 Audi A4 to my dealer for a repair (four new ignition coils), they told me that it was time to replace the timing belt, The car has 75K miles on it. I agree with them, but they want $1450 for the job. I certainly want a knowledgeable Audi mechanic to do the job, but that price seems high. Does the price seem reasonable? Can anyone recommend a good Audi mechanic in the Boston area (or just north of Boston)? Or can any reliable repair shop do this job? Thanks.

#2047 of 2367 2006 Audi A4 2.0T Maintenance and Repair Costs by irisherin

Aug 06, 2009 (7:02 pm)

Hello! I am looking into purchasing a 2006 Audi A4 2.0T. I have never owned an Audi before and wanted to get some information regarding maintenance and repair costs. It has 40,000 miles.
 
I currently own a Lincoln Navigator. I'm wondering if repair and maintenance costs would be comparable to what I own now, higher, or lower. I had a Ford Explorer before that, so obviously the repair costs were cheaper on that than the Navigator.
 
I'm just trying to get information online via reviews and just doing as much research as I can before I decide to purchase or not.
 
Thanks in advance for any information!
Erin

#2048 of 2367 Re: 2001 Audi A4 Timing Belt [sandythek] by vwdawg

Aug 07, 2009 (8:30 am)

Replying to: sandythek (Aug 04, 2009 5:04 pm)
Hi sandythek: $1,450 seems a bit on the high side, but I live in the St. Paul, and Twin Cities rates might be somewhat lower. The dealers here normally charge around $1,200, but there is a very good VW/Audi/Mercedes/Volvo/Japanese specialty repair shop in St. Paul that will do it for about $950. I would tend to shy away from the dealers unless they have a stelllar reputation. Dealer ratings can be very good or dismal, depending on the experience of a particular owner. My suggestion: Ask other Audi owners where they get their work done. The advantages of working with a good independent shop include generally lower rates AND, most importantly, you can build a relationship and work with the same tech every time. Good luck...audiphile1

#2049 of 2367 Help Please by nvnc514

Aug 09, 2009 (6:57 am)

I am new to this forum and trying to get some information before I have to take my car in for repair. I have a 2003 A4 Cabriolet and while driving yesterday, my engine malfunction light started to flash and the engine seemed like it was going to die. I have always kept this vehicle in good running order. I took off the gas cap so see if that made a difference but the light is still on and flashing. My dealer is a 30 minute drive away and I am concerned about getting there without the car dying on me. Is it safe to drive this vehicle? Because its Sunday, the dealer is not open, but I am wondering if taking this to an Autozone first is a good idea. Thanks for your help.

Messages Page 205 of 237

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