88'5KCSTQ Ticking - lifter or exhaust manifold?

[quk@sievers.com (Phil Payne)]

In message <961118142023_1815896708@emout11.mail.aol.com> StevenM659@aol.com writes:

> My 885KCSTQ (I02,000 mi.s) has a ticking sound. I thought it was a noisy
> lifter but now suspect the exhaust manifold is loose or gasket is damaged.

Or the manifold is cracked, unless you have the two-part one, or a stud has 
sheared. These ticks are more rapid and regular than lifter ticks, which are 
often cyclic, and tend to be more obvious on cold engines. It's also a shorter, 
higher timbre of sound. Hard to describe, but easy to recognise when you've 
heard a few.  In my experience, they're at their very _worst_ when re-warming 
an engine that has cooled from hot for an hour or two - about two to three 
minutes after driving off normally.

Pulling the manifold after 100k is a dangerous business in itself - 10 gets you 
one that at least one stud will have broken already (might be the problem 
right there) or will shear in the process. Even if you're lucky - are you going 
to risk retightening on old studs?  If you can't get the studs out cleanly the 
head has to come off - change the timing belt and water pump at the same time.

There's a likelihood of a high labour content in the job, it's not too 
sophisticated and the parts are agricultural - I would suggest finding a 
competent ex-Audi mechanic or general workshop with cheaper hourly rates than 
Audi/VAG dealerships. 

--
 Phil Payne
 phil@sievers.com
 Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club