Follower Happiness

[Chb04]

So after many attempts I have found success in getting to look at my follower and I'm very pleased and a lot less stressed! I have 83K on the clock and out of my CPO warranty and have asked the dealer many times to look at it for me and I got the "it's fine don't worry about it" But I needed to worry because I put a shit load of miles on my car a year and wanted to make sure I was in good standing. If anyone sees anything wrong with the one in my pic please do tell so I know if I need to go replace the one I have now?

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57393&title=img00026-20100522-1736&cat=500

[Chb04]

http://http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG00026-20100522-1736.jpg (http://www.audizine.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=57393&title=img00026-20100522-1736&cat=500)
WHY can't I get my photo to show WTF?

[peta8368]

http://www.audizine.com/gallery/data/500/IMG00026-20100522-1736.jpg

[Chb04]

Peta8386 THANKS! HOW?????????????????

[peta8368]

The first link you had goes to the album page, click on the image (which will open up the image in full size without slideshow control), then right click on the image, choose properties, and get the direct url.


Peter

[Yukk]

It looks pretty good, assuming that it hasn't ever been replaced before. Did you get to take a look at your cam? As long as that is smooth and the hpfp tip looks in good shape -looks like you're just fine.

[Tusin]

Why take it out if you are not going to replace it? The hardened coating is gone where the plunger is. It needs to be replaced.

[ryanworth]

Why take it out if you are not going to replace it? The hardened coating is gone where the plunger is. It needs to be replaced.

x2. It's not that expensive of a part. I'm doing mine tomorrow, whether it's fine or not. 71k here.

[illegitimus]

it does not appear to be shot completely. Nonetheless, the wear is present and you might as well put the new one in since you have it all apart.

[Chb04]

First thanks Pete for the help! Second It is so easy to do now that I have no problem going in to change it out now and I wanted a piece of mind knowing how it looked in the first place. Will order a new one to replace!
FYI for those looking to try removing? I did not remove the coolant tank, so I eliminated a few minutes in the repair time.

[Brillo]

The hardened coating is gone where the plunger is. It needs to be replaced.

I hope Tusin doesn't mean that just because it lost its dark color that it isn't hard. Hardness is not indicated by the color. There is no hard coating on it - it's surface hardened. The dark oxide is less than a micron thick and is residual to the hardening process which goes about 1/2 to 1 mm deep. The shiny spot at the center does indicated that there has been some minor wear. I'm not suggesting that it not be replaced, but the newer properly hardened followers have a lot more life in them than the older poorly hardened followers.

[Chb04]

Brillo and everyone else GREAT info! I'm just happy with the kind of mileage I have and if that is the original then something is going rite? I bought my Avant CPO Nov of 08 w/ 34k on the clock and now have 83k and as stated before have always asked the dealer to take a look for me knowing this to be an issue and was always told it's fine. So either before I bought it they replaced or it's original and I'm lucky? But definitely going to get a new one and replace for shits and giggles.

[williemike]

I replaced mine yesterday at 50k. It looked about like yours. The dealer in Portland would not check it unless there was a CEL. The DYIs made it easy to do myself. Thanks to all who contributed to the DYIs.

[illegitimus]

Brillo and everyone else GREAT info! I'm just happy with the kind of mileage I have and if that is the original then something is going rite? I bought my Avant CPO Nov of 08 w/ 34k on the clock and now have 83k and as stated before have always asked the dealer to take a look for me knowing this to be an issue and was always told it's fine. So either before I bought it they replaced or it's original and I'm lucky? But definitely going to get a new one and replace for shits and giggles.

the fact that your avant is 08 is probably why your follower is in such a great (comparatively) shape. I am sure by then the new, better quality material was used to produce the followers for our cars. mine was totally worn when I checked it at 52k miles and I have an 06. consider yourself lucky.

[elwigglero]

$50 at the dealer. I replaced mine at 35k because I was upgrading the fuel pump anyway. If you have it apart, swing by the dealer and grab a new one.

[Chb04]

the fact that your avant is 08 is probably why your follower is in such a great (comparatively) shape. I am sure by then the new, better quality material was used to produce the followers for our cars. mine was totally worn when I checked it at 52k miles and I have an 06. consider yourself lucky.

I have an 07 my wifes car is the 08. I will order a new one and change to keep piece of mind and I do find it strange how some get waisted sooner then others?

[fajimr]

don't mean to hijack but i just got my follower and want to change it out before i road trip this summer.

Are you guys replacing the o-ring too as suggested in the DIY?

TIA
jim

[Loud_Greg]

I never have. Maybe I should, but I've replaced mine a couple times over the course of a couple 2.0Ts.

[Chb04]

don't mean to hijack but i just got my follower and want to change it out before i road trip this summer.

Are you guys replacing the o-ring too as suggested in the DIY?

TIA
jim

Thats one I over looked! Thanks for the hijack suggestion. LOL Need to order that as well.

[Sal_B7]

I would only replace it if you notice its torn. Just did mine and my o-ring looked good. Will replace accordingly.