Death of a 3.0 (long)
12-16-2004, 05:57 AM
#1
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Death of a 3.0 (long)
After my 80K service was done, I slowly started to notice a faint knocking sound coming from the engine bay. I didn't notice it for a while due to the windows being up (cold weather) and the soundproofing done by Audi at the factory. I started to notice it when I was getting some cash from an ATM.
The sound was similar to when you stick a baseball card in the spokes of a bicycle wheel and hear the card hit the spokes as the wheel moved. I had thought that maybe something got caught in the fan blades, but they were fine. So I kept the engine running and opened the hood to listen and try to pinpoint where the sound was originating.
The knocking sound seemed to be coming from the passenger side toward the back of the engine. Checking with other Audi friends, they thought that I might have a valve or lifter sticking. With that in mind, I made arrangements with my sales rep to have him take my car in for service. This gave me the chance to drive his '04 A4 1.8T Ultrasport.
I had a lot of fun driving the Ultrasport to work. Later that day, I called to find out what's going on with my car. All my sales rep could say was "you better talk to Service!" I then called Service, and they wanted for me to come in and see the problem they've found. This was the beginning to a big shock.
I got to the dealer and went back to the Service department. They took me to where my car was and showed me the engine - specifically the exposed cams. It turns out that one of the cam lobes had been worn down (no peak). Something broke and those fragments did a lot of damage. I could also see a lot of scoring on all of the other lobes and along the camshaft itself.
Here's a quick pic (using phone) of where the problem was. They have a flashlight focusing on the lower cam lobe (controlling one of the exhaust valves for the middle cylinder):
<img src="http://www.ohiovw.com/cars/gallery/cyberpmg-2481-12-15-04_1743.jpg">
I was then showed the other side only to see similar scoring on the lobes and camshaft:
<img src="http://www.ohiovw.com/cars/gallery/cyberpmg-2482-12-15-04_1744.jpg">
Seeing the damage done to both sides of the engine makes me believe that those fragments must have travelled through the whole engine. That would mean damage done to the valves, pistons, cylinder walls, etc.
Fortunately, I have an extended warranty that should cover the engine damage. The mechanics and service advisor have no idea what would have caused this. Apparently, this was not detectable when it was in for it's 80K maintenance which includes a major tuneup.
So now my car sits waiting for a heart transplant:
<img src="http://www.ohiovw.com/cars/gallery/cyberpmg-2483-12-15-04_1745.jpg">
I'm really shocked to see what happened. I've followed Audi's maintenance schedule exactly as printed in my owner's service guide. All work has been done by the dealer, so they have a full history of all work done to my car. It has over 83K miles on it.
I've gone through a lot of repairs with this car. This last one is a real let-down in my trust for Audi's reliability. I feel that most of this may also be due to it being one of the early B6 models built for North America (built 8/2001). With this car, I've gone through 2 ignition coils, 3 catalytic converters, 2 interior fan motors, 1 wiper arm motor, 1 headlight washer motor, 1 relay (controls all exterior lights), horn replaced, driver's door light switch replaced, rear brakes replaced (was squealing when going in reverse), and several fixes to minor squeaks and rattles.
The sound was similar to when you stick a baseball card in the spokes of a bicycle wheel and hear the card hit the spokes as the wheel moved. I had thought that maybe something got caught in the fan blades, but they were fine. So I kept the engine running and opened the hood to listen and try to pinpoint where the sound was originating.
The knocking sound seemed to be coming from the passenger side toward the back of the engine. Checking with other Audi friends, they thought that I might have a valve or lifter sticking. With that in mind, I made arrangements with my sales rep to have him take my car in for service. This gave me the chance to drive his '04 A4 1.8T Ultrasport.
I had a lot of fun driving the Ultrasport to work. Later that day, I called to find out what's going on with my car. All my sales rep could say was "you better talk to Service!" I then called Service, and they wanted for me to come in and see the problem they've found. This was the beginning to a big shock.
I got to the dealer and went back to the Service department. They took me to where my car was and showed me the engine - specifically the exposed cams. It turns out that one of the cam lobes had been worn down (no peak). Something broke and those fragments did a lot of damage. I could also see a lot of scoring on all of the other lobes and along the camshaft itself.
Here's a quick pic (using phone) of where the problem was. They have a flashlight focusing on the lower cam lobe (controlling one of the exhaust valves for the middle cylinder):
<img src="http://www.ohiovw.com/cars/gallery/cyberpmg-2481-12-15-04_1743.jpg">
I was then showed the other side only to see similar scoring on the lobes and camshaft:
<img src="http://www.ohiovw.com/cars/gallery/cyberpmg-2482-12-15-04_1744.jpg">
Seeing the damage done to both sides of the engine makes me believe that those fragments must have travelled through the whole engine. That would mean damage done to the valves, pistons, cylinder walls, etc.
Fortunately, I have an extended warranty that should cover the engine damage. The mechanics and service advisor have no idea what would have caused this. Apparently, this was not detectable when it was in for it's 80K maintenance which includes a major tuneup.
So now my car sits waiting for a heart transplant:
<img src="http://www.ohiovw.com/cars/gallery/cyberpmg-2483-12-15-04_1745.jpg">
I'm really shocked to see what happened. I've followed Audi's maintenance schedule exactly as printed in my owner's service guide. All work has been done by the dealer, so they have a full history of all work done to my car. It has over 83K miles on it.
I've gone through a lot of repairs with this car. This last one is a real let-down in my trust for Audi's reliability. I feel that most of this may also be due to it being one of the early B6 models built for North America (built 8/2001). With this car, I've gone through 2 ignition coils, 3 catalytic converters, 2 interior fan motors, 1 wiper arm motor, 1 headlight washer motor, 1 relay (controls all exterior lights), horn replaced, driver's door light switch replaced, rear brakes replaced (was squealing when going in reverse), and several fixes to minor squeaks and rattles.
12-16-2004, 06:24 AM
#4
wow! fuxored!! wait, don't you have the Wett chip?
Is it possible that the chip had anything to do with the damage? Also, is the dealer aware of the chip?
It's a good thing you have that extended warranty!
I'm glad that when I bought my car "new," it was Audi Assured (due to being a dealer demo)...otherwise, I'd have serious doubts about buying a premium German car due to high cost of maintenance.
It's a good thing you have that extended warranty!
I'm glad that when I bought my car "new," it was Audi Assured (due to being a dealer demo)...otherwise, I'd have serious doubts about buying a premium German car due to high cost of maintenance.
12-16-2004, 06:42 AM
#5
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I would never own an Audi (or any German car) out of warranty
Nice going on the extended warranty.
I don't have that much faith in the reliability, and they cost and arm and a leg with something goes wrong.
I usually trade my car in just prior to the end of the 4th year.
I don't have that much faith in the reliability, and they cost and arm and a leg with something goes wrong.
I usually trade my car in just prior to the end of the 4th year.
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12-16-2004, 06:48 AM
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Interesting read. As a fellow 3.0 owner, I would like to know (m)
the outcome of all this.
I have had a few issues come up: Two AC compressors in the first month of ownership. And a new power steering rack about 3 or 4 months ago. But not the litany that you seem to have.
Good luck to you and thanks for posting this.
Rich
I have had a few issues come up: Two AC compressors in the first month of ownership. And a new power steering rack about 3 or 4 months ago. But not the litany that you seem to have.
Good luck to you and thanks for posting this.
Rich
