Luongo

I know that 2.0T engines normally make 'direct injection' ticking noise, but I am hearing a different ticking noise when the weather is cold outside (10~30 degrees F) until the engine is fully warmed up (temp gauge at middle). It almost sounds like a ticking clock and I hear about 5 ticks per second.

The noise only happens if the car has been sitting for several hours. Upon starting the engine, the car idles at around 1,200 RPM and then it drops down to about 800 RPM. After a few minutes of idling, the loud ticking noise begins. The noise is only heard from outside of the car and it would disappear after I drive it around for a few miles. There is no shake or vibration that can be felt from inside the cabin.

My car is at 4,000 miles on the odometer and haven't had the first oil change yet. Current oil level shows about 60% full according to the MMI screen.

My best guess is that the oil gets thick out in the cold Chicago weather and the valve lifters don't receive enough oil until the engine is warmed up and the oil gets thin enough for proper lubrication. I never hear the noise when the temperature gauge is at the halfway mark.

Should I bring my car in for inspection or wait another few weeks until the 5,000 miles service. Should I top up the engine oil by adding about 0.4 quarts of oil and see if the noise stops?

4taz

Does a similar ticking noise comes up when the car is cooling down after long drive in a cold weather

BlueSander

to my best knowledge, that's standard for Audi FSI system. You will be able to reduce it by switching the oil to Mobil 1 5W-30 extended performance. Right now, it's 5W-40 that's in you engine.

IAS5

if you are talking about when the car is off, that's just the exhaust metal cooling and contracting.....