Tat..Tat Noise in Engine

[Ed Kellock]

Same issue, different generation of cars.

A friend just bought a '97 A4 2.8 with 110k.  Very clean, good records,
original owner trade on a new Land Rover.

There's a very subtle lifter noise at idle.  It isn't even a tap, just a
slight percussive noise.

Being accustomed to I5's and V8's up to '91, I said don't worry about it.

Apparently the last oil change before the trade-in was with synthetic,
supposedly the first in the car's life.

I suggested that what with all the really thin synthetics that have come out
lately that the previous owner tried something new and went with one of
those.  I don't know what's recommended for a '97 2.8, but suggested that a
check of the manual, the receipt for this particular oil change might make
another oil change to a bit higher weight oil might be the thing to do.

Any issues with lifters on the '97 2.8?  I'm still thinking it's no big deal
but thought I'd ask.

Thanks,
Ed