Bill Gates

I am experiencing a roaring noise (not wheel noise) on my 2001 S8, specially at low speed (sounds like a jeep). I am wondering if it is normal or not. I told my concern to the service manager of my audi dealership; he said it could not be the wheels' bearings as, they are sealed (they can't check them)He did not test drive the car and I have this noise since day one, eventhough, it seems louder now. Any feedback would be appreciated

masonh

Almost all cars have sealed wheel bearings.They can all go bad as well.If the guy really said this stuff,I would never take my car back to this dealership.Any good mechanic can determine if it is wheel bearing noise or not.

hisport

Noisy wheel bearings:

Generally only one fails at any given time, and it is easy to pinpoint

Drive the car on a winding road at moderate speed. If its a wheel bearing, you will definitely hear a difference in both noise tone and amplitude as you load different wheels.

If it is tire noise, the tone will not change. Swap tires side to side to confirm diagnosis. Note that you CAN have tires go noisy kinda simultaneously. Some tires get really noisy (and "harsh") as they wear eg, those miserable OEM A8 Goodyears. And, a tire can be damaged internally and look fine outside.

Have not heard of too many A8's (S8's) having bad wheel bearings. If you think you've found one, jack up that wheel, and see if there is any axial (rocking) play at wheel. If There is ANY on a front wheel, the bearing has lost its preload and is shot.

Hope this helps.

hisport

Your Engine driven fan. If the fan clutch is locked up, you will sound like a 747 at low speeds. With the engine turned off and cool, fan should turn very freely by hand.

While you're at it, check the electrically driven (condensor) cooling fan; if it is stuck on high: ditto.

Bump your car into nuetral while driving down an alley at 20 mph with the windows all down. If the rushing noise goes away, regardless of engine speed (rev it up in nuetral a little while coasting), then check your transmission/driveline/halfshafts.

If in doubt and more than 20K mi; change the trans fluid and filter - could be a clogged filter and cavitating front pump.

Find a competent mechanic.

Hope this helps.

hisport

...and lifetime Fuel Filters, Trans filters, Coolant, Gear Lube....(Not)

Sarian Verconna

I'd recommend taking it to another Audi dealer or have the service advisor drive your S8 with you.

Jkay

You did not explain how you know it's "not wheel noise" .. the Goodyear tires which come stock on these cars are **awful** and roar loudly.

Check the reviews on TireRack if ya don't believe me

My front-driver's-side Goodyear roars.

ryoung

not a particularly great tire, but it wasn't noisy.

ryoung

Even a brand new wheel bearing can be bad; but I agree with hisport, it almost sounds like the fan with it's clutch locked. Perhaps the thermostat is not opening and the fan's clutch stays locked to try to keep the motor cool?

BTW: With one exception, my '01 S8 has always been silent (now at 29k miles). The exception is when the car comes in hot off the track in the summer, the fan clutch is locked, and I do hear the roaring from the both the belt driven and electric fans.

And it also sounds like you may need to find a different dealer.

Bill Gates

I t is speed sensitive; although I hear it less starting at 70 mph; wind noise is taking over; it is definetely not tire noise; the weird thing with this car it is not as loud after driving the car for 20 minutes; I'll give a shot to the dealership again; although driving another s8 would confirm if it is ok or not.