Audi A3 acceleration ticking noise

[Rizmah]

2015 Audi A3 1.4TFSI CoD

When I’m going low speed and low rpm with acceleration there’s a ticking noise from engine bay. 
 

Only happens when the car is moving, does not do it when it’s idling at all even if you rev it.

Only happens when you have the accelerator pedal down a bit but instantly stops soon as you let off it.

Does not do it when pedal is fully depressed or atleast can’t hear anything when it’s going speed.

Please someone help this noise is driving me crazy and every time I think what it could be it doesn’t add up due to the symptoms above, cheers.

Edited April 29 by Rizmah

[Magnet]

Welcome Charlie,

Alway difficult to diagnose noises without access to the vehicle, but sounds typical of pinking, where the engine labours under acceleration. Try adding a few gallons of ‘Super’ grade (non- supermarket)  fuel and let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Rizmah]

7 hours ago, Magnet said:

Welcome Charlie,

Alway difficult to diagnose noises without access to the vehicle, but sounds typical of pinking, where the engine labours under acceleration. Try adding a few gallons of ‘Super’ grade (non- supermarket)  fuel and let us know how you get on.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

Thanks for your reply! 
If it was pinking wouldn’t it be making the noise when idle and revving?

cheere

[cliffcoggin]

Pinking, or pre-ignition, is not dependant on engine speed, instead it depends on engine load hence it happens when accelerating. A fuel mixture that is too weak or a spark that is too advanced will cause pinking. Modern engines normally detect that pinking and automatically adjust the ECU output accordingly.

That's not to say your engine is definitely pinking because we can not hear the sound, but it is a possibility.

[Rizmah]

56 minutes ago, cliffcoggin said:

Pinking, or pre-ignition, is not dependant on engine speed, instead it depends on engine load hence it happens when accelerating. A fuel mixture that is too weak or a spark that is too advanced will cause pinking. Modern engines normally detect that pinking and automatically adjust the ECU output accordingly.

That's not to say your engine is definitely pinking because we can not hear the sound, but it is a possibility.

Awesome. Thank you, getting low on fuel now so I’ll fill up with some premium unleaded at a complete different garage and see!

[Rizmah]

On 4/29/2025 at 6:20 PM, Rizmah said:

Awesome. Thank you, getting low on fuel now so I’ll fill up with some premium unleaded at a complete different garage and see!

Didn’t work, changed auxiliary belt and tensioner too and that didn’t work

[Magnet]

OK Charlie,

Changing auxiliary belt and tensioner was unlikely to cure this issue unless they were at fault. 
Other possibility:- mixture too weak. Has the cold and/or hot starting varied at all since this noise has occurred?

Regards,

Gareth. 

[Rizmah]

1 hour ago, Magnet said:

OK Charlie,

Changing auxiliary belt and tensioner was unlikely to cure this issue unless they were at fault. 
Other possibility:- mixture too weak. Has the cold and/or hot starting varied at all since this noise has occurred?

Regards,

Gareth. 

Unfortunately it hasn’t made any difference whether I start it cold or hot. I’m at ends meet. I was thinking the N80 valve.

[Magnet]

I wasn’t referring to whether the noise differs hot or cold, but simply whether the car’s ability to start easily from cold or hot has changed-?