Just imported a 2002 A4 3.0 Avant 6spd from California.
It has high mileage at 170,000km but was at the right price at $12,000US.

I had it inspected prior to purchase, there were no problems found so I flew down to California and drove it back to Vancouver.

I've been driving it for about a week now, and a bad rumble/vibration has started - you can feel it throughout the entire car.

The rumble is present at all speeds when rpm is above about 1800. The frequency of the rumble varies with engine speed. If i'm cruising at speed and depress the clutch, let off the gas and coast, the rumble disappears. However, if i rev the engine while coasting, i can feel the rumble, but, it is not as noticeable as when the clutch is out. When stopped and in neutral, i can feel a slight rumble/vibration, and again, when i rev the engine i can notice it pick up, but not as much as when the clutch is engaged.

I took it to the Audi dealership in Richmond for diagnosis. They looked into, said that they found a few missfire codes and some worn vacuum hoses. They replaced the worn hoses and diagnosed the rumble/vibration problem to something in my clutch - they believe it is the bearing. Then they charged me $600.

I'm no mechanical whiz, but I'm a little skeptical as to their diagnosis of the clutch - when i disengage it i can still feel the problem.

Has anyone experienced a problem similar to this? Does this sound like the correct diagnosis?

Also, can anyone recommend a good shop to take my vehicle to in the Vancouver area?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Dave

 

Im not mechanic either but a clutch i dont think will cause that type of rumble, it might be either a quattro issue or transmission b/c when the clutch is down you are not engaging the transmission but you said when you release the clutch then it happens, so if i had to guess i would say probably transmission. Thats my two cents

Good luck

 

Firstly welcome to the forums

Secondly, the fact that you say that the vibration dissapears when you depress the clutch leads me to believe that it isn't a tire balancing or allginment issue. I would still make sure that if you have aftermarket wheels/tires that you have centering rings on them.

I think the most likely thing that could be the culprit here is the engine mounts. Have those checked and let us know how that goes. Misfiring can cause some rumble and pinging but it wouldn't be amazingly noticible.

 

Just had my coil pack go yesterday (#4 Cylinder).. You are describing exactly what I experienced yesterday when it went...

R

 

When your coil pack went, did your check engine light come on?

I initially thought that it was a coil pack that went, but i haven't received a check engine light.

It has, however, become quite difficult to shift from 1st to 2nd - i think it probably is my clutch.

Suggestions for a good shop in the lower mainland bc anyone?

 

Yes, The engine light came on Right away - it basically kept flashing on and off..
One of the ways to tell if your coil pack is on the way out - (What I have experienced) You will have to turn your car over twice in the morning to start. Once I changed the coil pack --- one turn and it starts now...

Good garage --- JSP performance - 604 557 7900...

I assume OEM clutch?

RnR

 

hey guys im new to the forum as well,

im experiencing the same problems with an unstable idle, possible misfiring of my engine.

My check engine light came on and my car 98* a4 1.8t started to have an rumble when my car is idling and accelerating, took it to my local shop and they said it was cylinder #2 and to replace the ignition coil. so i replace all my spark plugs, they were getting old and that ignition coil. but im still experiencing the exact same problems, i've switched the new ignition coil throughout the 4 cylinders and nothing seems to help the problem.

anyone known what the next step would be to solve this problem would be

 

Based on your description, I'd suspect clutch as #1 culprit.

 

Hey all,

Has anyone heard of the solution to djblack's issue? My '05 3.0 is doing the same thing...vibration DEFINATELY coming from motor (car can be standing still and the rumble is felt) - not related to wheels/drive systems. Also, it has become increasingly difficult to shift into 4th/5th/6th gears - could a faulty engine mount (i understand the pass. side is hydraulic? :s) cause a sligt shift in the engine's position? also failing to absorb vibration?

It all started to happen after I lost my big-plastic-underbelly-piece in Barrie at a gas station.

Before I considered this engine mount failure option, I looked at the following variables which could affect the cause of vibration:

1. Water in the gas I just put in the car...water remover +1 tank haven't solved
2. Piece of ice lodged where it shouldn't be after I lost the cover...30mins under the car with a flashlight show no such ice (would have melted new anyway)
3. Pulley/Tensioner bearings failure...no awkward noises so I hope this isn't the culprit
4. Coil packs due for Recall Replacement anyway - plugs + 1 coil are 40k old...but no engine light or significant loss of performance/fuel econ.

...that is all. Should I replace that friggin' big-plastic-underbelly-piece? seems a bit of a luxury @ $250....

Thanks!!

Andy

 

Hey all,

Had the issue inspected by a guy with a good rep. in the Mississauga South area (Andy @ Clarkson Fine Cars)... said the motor mounts look fine. I have a flywheel issue.

How does a car like this get a problem like this after 140k?? its a 2005!! With hwy miles!!!
I would expect this kind of failure from a Chevrolet or any other parts-bin run-of-the-mill car...but not from an Audi!!!!