Car issues / anyone good with cars?

[Carproblems]

Posting for traffic...

I have been to see my mechanic this morning but he was very busy and I don't think the issue is urgent so he just told me to keep an eye on it and let him know if it gets worse, but it's driving me insane! I could easily go to another garage but I'm afraid of being ripped off as I've always used the same one for the last 6 years.

Anyway, I've had my car (an Audi A3 if it's relevant) for the last two years. When I first bought the car, it would make a kind of squeaking/scraping noise whenever I put my foot on the accelerator, occasionally when I braked to (but I just put that down to braking too quickly and hard). More so when I accelerated and the car was actually moving. I took it back to the garage and they did sort it. I can't even remember what the issue was now but nothing major, but it's recently started back up again. Exactly the same issue.

It doesn't always do it, but it has gradually got worse over time, especially when the car is just moving off or I'm stuck in traffic and crawling, stopping and starting etc. I've been for a drive this morning but it hasn't done it once, not sure if that's to do with the weather though as it's raining here now. I can normally hear it when it's dry. I thought it might of been a stone caught in the wheel as I took the car for a wash last week and it stopped doing it, but then started back up again the next day. It's very intermittent.

I do a lot of miles for work so I know there will be general wear and tear but it's driving me bonkers, I just want it sorted. I recently had £800 worth of work done on it too so the last thing I want is a squeaking car I've googled about it and of course a 100 different things have come up. I know it's probably not best to get a diagnosis over the Internet but any ideas are welcome. From my description, what do you think it possibly could be?

If I have to live with a squeaking car I will but I really really hope that's not the case 😆

TIA

Might it be worth you going to an Audi forum on the internet? There are car model specific ones, with lots of petrol heads who really know their stuff and could help.

Sounds like it might be a slipping auxillary belt. There's a belt that drives the alternator, air con pump etc from the engine - if it slips it will squeak or squeal a bit.

Off topic but My A3 was my worst ever car and I will never have another Audi although I did like the seats.

Ooo thanks for that @lidoshuffle , I didn't know about those forums so I'll definitely take a look tonight. Hopefully they will be able to help, Thanks again 

@Hingeandbracket
Google said something about a belt. Is that an expensive job do you know? (Please god no)
It's been an "okay" car, a couple of problems which unfortunately have ALWAYS been expensive ones to sort.
Unfortunately I'm tied in for another 3 years and can't afford to part exchange yet so I'm stuck with the fucker

Belt itself won't be much £20 or so - but there's a tensioner too (a thing with a big spring in that is supposed to keep the belt tight) - if that needs changing it will be more.
Then labour on top.
If that is the issue I'd guess £100 - £250 depending on the labour rate your garage charges.

www.audi-sport.net/xf/
Was a useful forum when I had my A3 - but you'll need to figure out which version of A3 it is 8V,8P etc (by the year) and also what engine you have - A3s have been made a bazzilion different kinds of engines.

How bloody fantastic! Well I guess having an expensive car comes with expensive problems. I'll definitely try and get it into a garage soon so they can take a proper look though and I'll have a look on the forums tonight. Thank you for your help appreciate it @Hingeandbracket

How bloody fantastic! Well I guess having an expensive car comes with expensive problems

It’s not really an expensive car though is it? The same engine is likely found in VW, Skoda and Seat models. If it is just the aux belt squealing (which it does sound like) then it shouldn’t be too expensive. Go on YouTube and search “squealing aux belt” and see if that sounds like what you’re hearing.

@Elai1978 I guess we both have different opinions on what's expensive as I think it's an expensive car but thanks for your help.

Hope it's an inexpensive fix

Me too 🤞 thanks again @Hingeandbracket

@Elai1978

How bloody fantastic! Well I guess having an expensive car comes with expensive problems

It’s not really an expensive car though is it? The same engine is likely found in VW, Skoda and Seat models. If it is just the aux belt squealing (which it does sound like) then it shouldn’t be too expensive. Go on YouTube and search “squealing aux belt” and see if that sounds like what you’re hearing.

Has OP said the price of the car anywhere? If not, who on earth are you to judge what is expensive or not?

Audu a3 an expensive car? I think the A3 is an average car too, each to their own though

I'm not really sure why some posters are jumping on the expensive car comment.

I don't earn a huge salary so to me the car is expensive, to others it may not be which is fine.

I too would try an Audi forum & find the paperwork to give the forum an idea of what was fixed last time.

What was the £800 work for?

@Whammyyammy

Audu a3 an expensive car? I think the A3 is an average car too, each to their own though

I paid 24k for mine, I think that's pretty expensive for a car that isn't a sports car

I assume posters are trying to show off their knowledge that the A3 is a "platform share" with other VAG group cars like the VW Golf and Seat Leon.

Audi charges a premium over the others and mine though second hand was certainly not cheap.

Having owned both the Seat and Audi variants I'd never pay the Audi premium again - but the Audi interiors are nicer.

@Hingeandbracket , I forgot to ask you earlier. If it's the case of the auxiliary belt. Is that an urgent issue do you know? Or can it wait say for a month until I can sort the funds out to pay?
Have been browsing on the Audi forums also

Just worried about it causing long term damage to the car if I leave it for a month or two.

Sorry, my point was that due to it likely having an engine found in other cars it shouldn’t be an especially expensive fix because it’s an Audi. Personally, I think an A3 is a perfectly average hatchback, certainly wouldn’t describe it as an expensive car.

HonestJohn website always gives the known issues of all used cars. I don’t know if yours was brand new to you, was second hand or if this is a new issue but for anyone out there who may need it, it’s a great source of information