Conversation of /Catastrofic motor failure, information/count.

[steve0827]

I had it changed after 8k. Regardless, I went from topped up to minimum level in 3800 miles. Someone tell me there's something wrong. I have heard that our cars take 10 quarts??


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[dparm]

I don't know what the specific "minimum" line on the dipstick means, but I bet it's a quart low or more. Does it consistently consume that much oil between changes? What kind of driving do you do? What oil is in there?

[B6JoeS4]

Well when my oil light comes on, I pour in 1L of oil and it gets it to about the middle of the hash marks. I don't get what you are saying your intervals are. You first said that the oil light came on after 10,000 miles from it's last change. Then you say you got it changed after 8000 miles. So which is it?

No matter what anybody tells you, you ABSOLUTELY MUST change your oil more often then that. In other motors, 10k interval is fine, but not on this car. Bad OCI's is one of the leading causes of scored cylinders. Change it every 4000 miles
What oil are you using?

[steve0827]

The light came on both times. I occasionally drive spiritedly but even then I rarely go over 5k Rpm. This was the first time it's happened. My first oil Light was 7k after I bought it at 26k.....the dealer did an oil change right before I bought it.


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[steve0827]

What I'm saying is that ive owned the car for 10k miles.


I think I'm just gonna go with the b8 s4 I've been looking at.


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[Justincredible]

What I'm saying is that ive owned the car for 10k miles.


I think I'm just gonna go with the b8 s4 I've been looking at.


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If thats the case then conversation done.

If not then change your oil every 4-5000 miles. use a good oil search for oil recommendations there are lots of posts in the tech sections on this. Also check your PCV system that can cause oil consumption issues as well.

[travw3]

My min oil light came on so i put in more oil until it was good, and about 400 miles later the light came on again and it had almost no oil according to dipstick, put 2qts in. Going to go get it checked out soon, any suggestions on what it could be?

[travw3]

My car is in the shop, had a strange banging noise from the engine they took off the valve covers and manifold but didnt find anything so they called the master mechanics and they asked for my vin to see what date it was built because they said they have been seeing a lot of problems in certain build dates but they wouldnt say what it could be, they just said they would call if my car was a match for the build date problem.. Any ideas of what it could be?

[Apat]

2004 s4
early build date. 117k miles
the day before i heard a ticking noise checked oil a quart low. added oil and went on had a slight tick still. the next day tick got real bad. called a few people that are trust worthy mechanincs and confirmed it to be a lifter tick. will update with the outcome for sure. motor burned about a quart every 3k miles.

Listen to these vids of my car. I thought it was a lifter. The problem was confirmed to be a broken timing chain guide. Thank god for extended warranties.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivCf0iAt9ow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9v9_jLjHqI

Link to my thread with relevant information:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...FTER-warmed-up

[V8S4Ryan]

your second video sounds alot like mine. but mine is coming from the passenger side rear of the motor and nowhere else. but i had planned on doing the timing chain, water pump,lifters, jhm stage 4 clutch, headers, and maybe a tune!

[travw3]

2004 s4
early build date. 117k miles
the day before i heard a ticking noise checked oil a quart low. added oil and went on had a slight tick still. the next day tick got real bad. called a few people that are trust worthy mechanincs and confirmed it to be a lifter tick. will update with the outcome for sure. motor burned about a quart every 3k miles.

my car had the same noise but a quart every 3k is not bad, I have a thread on what happened to mine.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...177-New-Engine

[Isostar13]

After two months and two mechanics, they pulled my motor and found the timing chain tensioners were busted. They're estimating $8K+ in total parts and labor for the repair. I have an aftermarket warranty, but we're still waiting on approval.

[Apat]

After two months and two mechanics, they pulled my motor and found the timing chain tensioners were busted. They're estimating $8K+ in total parts and labor for the repair. I have an aftermarket warranty, but we're still waiting on approval.

Just went through this. My Zurich 3rd party covered the replacement of the entire timing set. You shouldn't have an issue. Whats the year and mileage of your car?

[travw3]

Update on my car they said the bearings in the short block were coming apart and that was causing the point still haven't gotten the new engine. Think I might sell my car once everything is done.

[vdubjetta02]

That is always really hard to sell once everything is fixed...... because it makes you want to enjoy it for another 30,000 miles or so

[dparm]

If I was getting a free replacement motor, I would drive the shit out of that car for another few years. It's like starting over with a new car.

[Isostar13]

Just went through this. My Zurich 3rd party covered the replacement of the entire timing set. You shouldn't have an issue. Whats the year and mileage of your car?

It's a 2005 with 120k miles on the motor. The techs are estimating $8k+ in parts and labor. My 3rd party warranty is supposed to cover this, but of course they're dragging their feet with giving an answer to the tech. I'm hopeful to hear a "yes" this week.

[Apat]

It's a 2005 with 120k miles on the motor. The techs are estimating $8k+ in parts and labor. My 3rd party warranty is supposed to cover this, but of course they're dragging their feet with giving an answer to the tech. I'm hopeful to hear a "yes" this week.

Sounds about right. I'll be getting my car back tomorrow (figures crossed). Its been almost 3 weeks. The warranty thing slows down the whole process but you'll be fine.

[travw3]

If I was getting a free replacement motor, I would drive the shit out of that car for another few years. It's like starting over with a new car.

you think there will be a big power difference?

[Isostar13]

Got the car back today. About $10k total damage, but the warranty company covered roughly 80% of that. Not bad.

The engine runs beautifully though, and its faster than its ever been since I've owned it.

[SquiddyB6S4]

It basically boils down to this....The engine is great for a period of time, then it just falls apart. Dont know if its because of faulty parts, or poor assembly or poor break-in. From my experience with this engine i will personally NEVER own this peice of shit 4.2 misfiring/oil burning/leaking junk. People shell out money for a car that should not blow up at 40-50k miles, lost countless nights of sleep fucking logging misfires, checking my dipstick, Monitoring Fucking insanely high 12% long term fuel trims on one side of the motor ONLY. The car is amazing when its running well, which is ONLY during a full moon and when the suns nuclear activity is at its peak when all the planets are aligned. Finally did a borescope test to the cylinder walls.....Started laughing and traded this junk in!! LS7 or GO HOME!!!

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. But I, for one, love this car for more than its engine. Nothing an LSX comes in matches the S4 - not only is it quick and comfortable, it flies under the radar like nobody's business. If you wanted a speed demon, you bought the wrong car to start with. If you want a sophisticated and understated sports car, this is one of the best in my opinion.

[Tugboatguy]

Agree 100%

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. But I, for one, love this car for more than its engine. Nothing an LSX comes in matches the S4 - not only is it quick and comfortable, it flies under the radar like nobody's business. If you wanted a speed demon, you bought the wrong car to start with. If you want a sophisticated and understated sports car, this is one of the best in my opinion.

[zookie]

Apat, you were going to get the car back on 11/9/11, did that happen? How's it running?

[B00sted20VUSP]

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. But I, for one, love this car for more than its engine. Nothing an LSX comes in matches the S4 - not only is it quick and comfortable, it flies under the radar like nobody's business. If you wanted a speed demon, you bought the wrong car to start with. If you want a sophisticated and understated sports car, this is one of the best in my opinion.

Yea i was just fed up with it, but totally agree with you, I love AUDI AND WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE AN AUDI. The LS7 is my Garage queen. Im getting ready to Seal the deal on my next AUDI this weekend. Theres just a feeling you get with these machines that is unmatched by any other car company. With that being said I guess my car was just messed up. I know several people personally with b6/b7 s4's and have 80-120k with NO issues with the engine; I was not so fortunate. None the less I WILL Continue to be loyal to a company that isnt afraid to test the waters with cutting edge technology.

[vdubjetta02]

I think at around 85,000 Miles I will just pull my motor and do the chain guides as preventitive maintnence. Maybe even throw longtube headers on at the time. But I would rather pay the cost to make it preventitive than pay $8k down the road if it goes.

[Apat]

Apat, you were going to get the car back on 11/9/11, did that happen? How's it running?

Ended up taking 3 weeks. Busy shop + 3rd party warranty.............It runs so smooth now. Sounds brand new when starting. No DTC codes since getting it back(checked yesterday). I couldn't be happier with the car. Love it. Love it. Love it


@ Vdub headers........heaaaaaaaaaders...... HAHA. I would've if I could've but I dont think my warranty company would've liked that idea.

[R&Cs4]

anyone have a video with sound of a normal sounding engine? it's hard to tell which noise is supposed to be there and which isnt

[2manyaudis]

Do you think there were any changes to 2007 and 2008 S4 engines that would possibly account for the lack of scored cylinders and catastrophic failures or do you just think these models will soon start showing the same problems?

[dparm]

Do you think there were any changes to 2007 and 2008 S4 engines that would possibly account for the lack of scored cylinders and catastrophic failures or do you just think these models will soon start showing the same problems?

Mileage is much lower on most 2007s and 2008s, that's why. There were no known changes made.

[2manyaudis]

So other than frequent oil changes, what preventive measures should be taken and when?

Thanks.

Tom

[V8S4Ryan]

Ok mechanic confirmed that the timing chain guides cracked and I had bad valve cover gaskets. Tada! Should get the car back on friday waiting for my ecu to arrive.

[Justincredible]

So other than frequent oil changes, what preventive measures should be taken and when?

Thanks.

Tom

There is lots you can do. make sure to let the car warm up in the morning before you hotrod the car. Do your maintece on time

[Black3.2]

I think at around 85,000 Miles I will just pull my motor and do the chain guides as preventitive maintnence. Maybe even throw longtube headers on at the time. But I would rather pay the cost to make it preventitive than pay $8k down the road if it goes.

What would the approximate cost be to get the chain guides replaced under preventative maintenance?

[dparm]

There is lots you can do. make sure to let the car warm up in the morning before you hotrod the car. Do your maintece on time

More specifically, letting the OIL warm up before applying a lot of engine load. The oil needs another 5-10 minutes of driving after the coolant (temperature) gauge stabilizes in the middle.

Using an oil with a high viscosity index and higher ester content will assist in quickly pumping it and assuring you maintain a good film on all parts.

[Apat]

What would the approximate cost be to get the chain guides replaced under preventative maintenance?

Depends on the shop. I was quoted $4500-$5000 from a high end euro performance shop. Around $8k from a dealer. You probably can get it done a bit cheaper but I wouldn't trust that job to a 1st timer.

[Black3.2]

Depends on the shop. I was quoted $4500-$5000 from a high end euro performance shop. Around $8k from a dealer. You probably can get it done a bit cheaper but I wouldn't trust that job to a 1st timer.

would there be other things to get done at the same time, such as clutch, flywheel, motor mounts, etc... and anything else that you can add to the list? Much appreciated.

[audi _4 _life]

Just bought my S4 2 weeks ago 1 owner car. 3 motors First motor lasted until 98,000 miles was using oil bad. about a quart every fill up. Then the second motor lasted 2000 miles and was burning oil even worse. I have 114k on it and does not use oil at all. Glad Audi foot the bill 16k for each motor job.

[Black Leaf]

Just bought my S4 2 weeks ago 1 owner car. 3 motors First motor lasted until 98,000 miles was using oil bad. about a quart every fill up. Then the second motor lasted 2000 miles and was burning oil even worse. I have 114k on it and does not use oil at all. Glad Audi foot the bill 16k for each motor job.

Do you mean that the prior owner replaced the motor twice? You certainly didn't have to replace the motor twice in the last two weeks :)

[SquiddyB6S4]

Do you mean that the prior owner replaced the motor twice? You certainly didn't have to replace the motor twice in the last two weeks :)

For sure he didn't cover 16,000 miles in two weeks. Perhaps they did not replace a faulty PCV valve the first time around. I can't see a new engine having that trouble unless the owner beat the snot out of it. Possible, though, that he/she/they did tear it up, for some reason hoping to get it warranteed before their 100k warranty ran out?

[audi _4 _life]

Do you mean that the prior owner replaced the motor twice? You certainly didn't have to replace the motor twice in the last two weeks :)

I Bought the car with the motor replaced. The guy that i bought it off of gave me every record on the car. I even have the miles every time he put oil in it. First motor went because of a broken tensioner and that caused the cylinder walls to score. The second one i never looked to see on the repair order to see what was causing it to use so much oil. I will do that and report back.