S3/A3 8v Annoying Metallic Rattle - Anyone Else ?

[Andy JB]

I've had my 2014 S3 8v around a year now on 35k & apart from other quality related issues (now resolved at some expense) its developed an annoying rattle I can't locate & wondered if this was familiar to other S3/A3 owners.

The noise has no correlation to particular conditions ie running the car such as certain revs or speed or uneven roads & has reached the point where i don't enjoy driving it.

I can best describe it as a repeated metallic tin can sort of rattle as if theres a loose baffle or part in the exhaust or cat. It doesn't happen when stationary and continues if I switch the engine off intermittently going down hill & which doesn't suggest its mechanical unless cat or turbo related.

I'm used to dealing with spanering & mechanical issues & cannot identify this noise for the life of me. There appears to be nothing loose underneath or in the engine bay i can detect, but its difficult to replicate esp when stationary. It recently had a new Water pump & Air con pump and happened around this time but may or may not be related. Theres no engine light & it runs normally with full performance & economy.

Anyone come across anything similar before i bin it?

[Dr G]

Any difference if you whack it in comfort? I had one that had a weird, tinny, metally dash rattle when the piped-in "exhaust" sound was on full beans.

[WatchfulEye]

The wastegate actuator is known to rattle on these, causing a strange metallic rattling sound, like a subtly loose baffle. It usually is related to engine speed though - around 2000-3000 rpm.

[the-photographer]

https://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/s3-wastegate...

[Dr G]

Weirdly I don't think I've experienced it myself but this is what Audi have to say on the subject:

[the-photographer]

It was a problem on the MK6 GTI (turbo "rod" was loose by design) VW issued a metal clip to hold it tight

[Andy JB]

Some useful things to consider - i'll try the comfort mode as a starter for ten from Dr G as i tend to use only dynamic or auto and mine doesn't have the mag dampers. Waste gate also worth looking into at service in October.

Also seen similar suggestions on threads on the VAG forums although these don't lend themselves to my noise as they are engine & rev related.

Thanks all - any other suggestions keep them coming

[ScottyTownley]

Hi, did you ever find out what was the cause of the rattling? I have a similar noise now which arises around gear changes and when the cars rolling down hill, Cheers

[The Cardinal]

Try the offside rear folding seat latch, which can rattle in situ and is resolved by taping the latch ring with electrical tape or similar. This has been the cause of rattling on several of my MQB-based cars.