B5 1.8T whine noise?

[Pat D]

I have a whine that changes with engine speed. I can't tell wether it's a pulley and I've never heard a gearbox whine, I'm hoping it's not the box

Has anyone had a similar sound or able to pick this one out?

[ManiacuV6]

Take the accesory belt off and start the engine. Can be the alternator or tensioner pulley or PAS .

[Monkeymagic]

in my experience it tends to be a pulley. Im not 100 percent if the petrol engines use them. but check the free wheel alternator pulley.. as already suggested take the aux belt off and run it.

[Sleeper_Avant]

if you use a long screwdriver or extension bar you can use this against your hand cupped arround your ear and hear in what area of component sounds harsh

possibly waterpump on these, if it is get it done ASAP as if it fails you will drop the cam belt

only takes 5 mins to drop the front off an A4, drop me a PM if you need help on that

[Sleeper_Avant]

also common on these is the oil pickup pipe becomes blocked and restricts oil flow to the head, but doesnt sound too much tappy on yours

[Pirvu Eugen]

Bearing noise! Either alternator, pas pump, roller....etc...
Remove the accesory belt and start engine...
Iff you press the clutch...the noise is louder or changing?

[Pirvu Eugen]

As Maniacuv6 told you.....iff is not there...than you should change the timing belt with water pump and rollers...

[Monkeymagic]

come to think of it i did a cam belt on a 1.8t recently. started her up and it whined.
i triple checked everything before realising it was the alternator whining.
i took aux belt off to confirm and then swapped alt for new one job done.
owner eventually admitted knowing the alternator was noisy.

[Pat D]

Thanks for the tips everyone I'll be doing these checks when I get back home from work. Hopefully it's just a pulley up front.