Who hasn't had problems with their cam follower? [Archive]

multiphrenic

11-24-2011, 12:44 PM

So I spent the past hour reading every post about cam followers. Obviously, I've become very paranoid and will be checking mine this weekend. I'm picking up my car on Saturday and so have another 2-years worth of warranty service..

Since that thread is all about people who are having problems, wondering if there are people who have checked theirs repeatedly and haven't seen any issues? How many miles/kms?

dbens

11-24-2011, 01:03 PM

70,000 km and no issues to date! have checked a few times since i took ownership at 55,000

r1de

11-24-2011, 01:08 PM

Could be lighting a flare in a petroleum refinery on this subject, but...

IMO it's a proven design defect, but whether or not you do anything about it depends on how long you plan to keep the car. If you plan to keep it forever, then you might consider replacing the follower every 10k miles or so. Otherwise, I'd probably suggest not worrying too much about it...

I had mine replaced along with the cam at about 45k miles, and got the dealer to cover it even though there was no CEL or driving problem, based on photographs I took of the follower and cam lobe, and a letter I wrote. That ended up resulting in more trouble than it's worth, since the cam replacement wasn't done correctly and since then I've been battling oil leaks and engine damage, most recently leading to another cam replacement + HPFP, rocker arm, valves, etc - car's in the shop right now as I write this. [:(]

So basically if you plan to replace it, replace it often so you don't have to deal with a cam/HPFP replacement as well. Or, just drive the crap out of the car and don't worry about it, and if you have a real problem with it, have the dealer replace whatever blew up when it happens, if that happens before you sell the car.

wrxmyers

11-24-2011, 01:14 PM

I changed mine at 104k with minimal wearing away of the black coating. All depends on how you drive the car.

Ed Gein

11-24-2011, 04:13 PM

http://i42.tinypic.com/vxhz51.jpg
This was mine at 46k miles on the dot, 2008. If you are bone stock they will replace your cam, follower, hpfp under warranty but if you have mods they may deny you. I paid 80 bucks with labor to get mine replaced, they are 50 if you want to do it yourself and my shop said I should be good for another 40k sooo.. Not a huge deal imo, do it or get it done so you dont need to worry about it.

Jay-Bee

11-24-2011, 04:25 PM

~105K kms (65k miles) on my 2007

I checked with Audi of Canada and i'm covered for the cam/follower/hpfp if it were to fail to ~190k kms or so, so my next question is... i obviously have the "A" cam in there if they extended the warranty right?

http://i379.photobucket.com/albums/oo233/8ValveTurbo/Audi%20A4/2011-09-11_17-30-03_900.jpg

TFSI

11-24-2011, 04:33 PM

105000 miles and ive replaced twice in the past.
Haven't had any big issues yet like a shot cam, but recently i had problems with lpfp.
All are well again... Dunno when its going to pop up again.

Satummoo

11-24-2011, 04:40 PM

I had 75k on mine and I was thinking I would have a hole.

It came out with minimal wear on the follower and the cam looked perfect.

Hpfpupgrade is coming out with a permenant solution to the follower

jerseybrian

11-24-2011, 05:27 PM

I changed mine out at ~60k miles when I put my Autotech HPFP in and didn't have a hole. I'll probably change it out every 30k miles now.

mixtery

11-24-2011, 05:42 PM

multiphrenic

11-24-2011, 05:46 PM

I changed mine at 104k with minimal wearing away of the black coating. All depends on how you drive the car. 104k? amazing..so there is hope. manual or tip?

co_pa

11-24-2011, 06:07 PM

this was mine at 50K straight up. was APR stage II for about 20K miles.
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m579/co_pa/photo8.jpg

one year and 12K later i'm going to put in a fresh one and upgrade the hpfp.
i'll continue to change it every year from here on out.

Inked

11-24-2011, 06:27 PM

I'm no mechanic, but it takes 45min to replace and 50 bucks out of your pocket. For 45min and $50 I will take the peace of mind every 10k miles....

Ed Gein

11-24-2011, 06:40 PM

^^ That one was probably ready to bust, once the black coating wears off they wear super fast.

104k? amazing..so there is hope. manual or tip?

Some have failed as early on as 50k, everyones story is different so don't feel safe until you check yours.

fordyoz

11-24-2011, 06:43 PM

85,000 miles. started modding around 75k miles. had the cam follower checked twice since modded and it was fine

MisterQuattro

11-24-2011, 07:03 PM

At almost 60k havent seen mine yet but car seems to be running well. Ill be changing mine by 65k. If it aint broke dont fix it imo i know its a defect but the car rides great and ill replace it just for peace of mind in a short while. Knowing how I drive ill replace it in a month ha

- Rizzo
- Sent From Tapatalk

DRAKLORE

11-24-2011, 10:28 PM

Replaced mine Around 75,000 miles
Had been at least stage two since 55,000 miles
And as you can ^see it developed a crack down the middle, prob about ready to wear completely through!
No damage to the cam
http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx33/draklore/81b85750.jpg

viziers

11-25-2011, 04:50 AM

i obviously have the "A" cam in there if they extended the warranty right?

Incorrect! I have an 05.5 and I have a revision "B" cam since new.

Just like I have the same style Wossner piston dome where as some have a flat top domed piston, so who knows whats really inside your motor as far as internals go until you open her up!

vizi

bmc333

11-25-2011, 06:22 AM

So glad I never have to worry about my follower again - replaced cam with spec B version earlier this year and fully covered under Audi's warranty for the parts and labor (over $1200).

multiphrenic

11-25-2011, 06:33 AM

I didn't think the spec B version meant you never had to worry about it..only that you didn't have to worry about it as quickly?

Another question, I know the main thing people are looking for is the cam follower itself, but I've also seen pics of other parts, including the fuel pump, e.g

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c281/warrior62_00/Audi/CIMG2866.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c395/fly300kts/Cam/DSC02929Large.jpg

What signs are people looking for on these parts?

Tanner

11-25-2011, 06:45 AM

I'd look at the cam follower itself for odd wear (whatever that may be) or if a cam follower at 10,000 has significant amount of wear, then the lobe is probably all messed up.

My first one looked pretty decent for 93,500 km on and changed it anyways. Had it changed again with 138,000 km on the odometer just because the car was in for other repairs and it was easy enough to get at the HPFP to change out the cam follower, wear on that one was pretty low.

Initially, I was a bit paranoid after reading all about the wear on the cam follower, but after a while, just do a check every so often and it's not that much of an issue at the end of the day.

Old British cars has the same problem, and they were able to determine that it was the lack of ZDDP in the motor oil that allowed the cams to wear out. Google it.

Lazze

11-25-2011, 06:47 AM

Here´s mine at 92000km:
http://iloapp.holm-gren.se/data/_gallery//public/0/1322231897_resized.jpg

viziers

11-25-2011, 06:52 AM

So glad I never have to worry about my follower again - replaced cam with spec B version earlier this year and fully covered under Audi's warranty for the parts and labor (over $1200).

So naive to think you never have to worry about it!

vizi

chrislane31

11-25-2011, 06:58 AM

I replaced mine at 100k and it was fine and replaced it again at 160k and it was also fine.

multiphrenic

11-25-2011, 09:19 AM

thanks everyone.. i think we need more threads like this every now and then just to help me sleep better at night. :)

Tanner

11-25-2011, 09:47 AM

So naive to think you never have to worry about it!

LOL, maybe worry a little then :)

naiku

11-25-2011, 12:52 PM

So naive to think you never have to worry about it!

Agreed, the parts might be updated, but they are still essentially the same parts doing the same thing. I wish it were true that the Rev B meant the issue was solved, at least it is not all that hard of a DIY to check. Which reminds me I need to check mine soon, been about 15,000 miles since I had it replaced.

scottns

11-28-2011, 09:49 AM

I also got paranoid reading all this and replaced mine at about 42000. The black was worn off but it was fine. Replaced it. Almost at 70000 now. Not getting crazy about it. I'll probably check it at 80000. Car is stock.

Solarsuplex

11-28-2011, 10:06 AM

So im thinking ill need to change mine? Coming up at 60k miles on an 08 Car was way over driven before i got it.

multiphrenic

11-28-2011, 10:27 AM

For 80 bucks and peace of mind, change it. Beats a 3k repair bill..Spoke with a couple guys at the shop while getting a chip done. They recommended I change it at 50,000km/30,000 miles.

They had just changed one that morning where the metal was so thin you could press through it with a finger. Another guy there would religiously change his, and even then, it still failed and cost him three grand in repairs..

usedtobefast

11-28-2011, 12:22 PM

I replaced mine at 34,000 miles for safety, but it was in perfect condition.

hpfpupgrade

12-13-2011, 09:01 PM

We are working on a solution for you guys, this should be a thing of the past when we release the new cam follower.

I have intentions of writing a thread about this and what causes the OEM follower to wear out. We have done extensive testing on this and we have a very good idea how to address it and make it so our new follower will last 100k miles on any car.

Thanks,

John

Audi_509

12-13-2011, 09:57 PM

^ subscribed and a future customer.

m4ttt0

12-13-2011, 11:00 PM

I havent checked it but from reading all the treads im assuming that when theres a hole in it then there will be around 3k damage thats gonna need repairs?

Ed Gein

12-13-2011, 11:38 PM

I havent checked it but from reading all the treads im assuming that when theres a hole in it then there will be around 3k damage thats gonna need repairs?

Yeah, it will destroy the cam, hpfp and obviously the follower, plus all the labor. If you are stock they will replace everything under warranty though.

A4A4A4

12-13-2011, 11:43 PM

No cam follower problems here. 2008 but I'm still at <30000 miles.

m4ttt0

12-13-2011, 11:49 PM

Yeah, it will destroy the cam, hpfp and obviously the follower, plus all the labor. If you are stock they will replace everything under warranty though.

i guess ill check that out next week when i do the carbon cleaning.

viziers

12-14-2011, 04:40 AM

John, can't wait until these go on sale....

vizi

naiku

12-14-2011, 05:25 AM

miSZukk

12-14-2011, 08:00 AM

About to hit 90k and still no problem with it. Plan to do some maintenance just to be safe when I hit 90k

jimrobbington

12-14-2011, 08:32 AM

Replaced mine at about 80k like this. The entire black coating was gone, but not the worst I have seen. Chipped stage 1 for only a couple k.

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo109/jimrobbington/P1020498.jpg

Then, checked the new one at ~105k with these results, pretty much stage 2 since replacement.

http://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo109/jimrobbington/P1030427.jpg

Not bad, put it back in.

JR

naiku

12-14-2011, 10:39 AM

About to hit 90k and still no problem with it. Plan to do some maintenance just to be safe when I hit 90k

What year do you have? and have you ever checked it? The reason I ask is that I first checked mine around 90k, I had no CEL's, the only fuel cut I got (if you can even call it that) turned out not to be related. I just checked it as I knew my CPO warranty was up soon, and wanted to take a look, this is what mine looked like:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=13458&d=1298146545

Car was stock, rarely driven hard, oil change every 5k.

Definitely check it out as soon as you can.

mec

12-15-2011, 11:38 PM

I have had no issues with my cam follower yet. I'm closing in on 50K so I will probably take a look again and post up some pics after christmas!

Charles.waite

12-15-2011, 11:52 PM

I always wonder why people say "replace it at 10k". I mean just inspect it. If it looks worn replace it. If not, inspect it again in 10k. Just keep a spare on hand at all times. Just because I'm not replacing my cam follower religiously, it doesn't mean I'm not taking care of my car. Thats worse advice than saying you should change your oil every 3k. Might as well flush your money down the toilet...

Theres being cautious, theres being anal, then theres just plain being crazy...

A4A4A4

12-16-2011, 12:24 AM

Theres being cautious, theres being anal, then theres just plain being crazy...

Hey, just because you don't like crazy anal doesn't mean the rest of us don't.[:p]

jimrobbington

12-16-2011, 06:11 AM

Hey, just because you don't like crazy anal doesn't mean the rest of us don't.[:p]

Haha! Lol! TMI!

JR

J.Owen

12-16-2011, 06:32 AM

Swapped mine out yesterday while upgrading my pump. This is my second follower and has ~30k on it including a couple of track days. 05.5 with ASP software.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6520852253_928be8e659_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jowensmith/6520852253/)

jimrobbington

12-16-2011, 06:43 AM

You still have black coating! No need to even pull that one.

JR

DRAKLORE

12-16-2011, 07:15 AM

J Owen, you ship that one to me? 15$
I'm completely serious

J.Owen

12-16-2011, 07:27 AM

Ha, I put in an upgraded pump and PRV so I installed a new follower as well just to start with a clean slate. I plan to hold on to this one as a back-up when I check everything over. Just in case the new pump is a little harsher on the follower. Sorry Shane.

DRAKLORE

12-16-2011, 07:29 AM

It's good. Worth a try

Charles.waite

12-16-2011, 10:04 AM

Haha! Lol! TMI!

JR

[o_o][o_o][o_o] ....... [=(]

Okedokey

02-03-2016, 03:22 PM

UberTeile

02-04-2016, 07:01 AM

No problems on my `06 w/93k miles...replaced cam follower & chain tensioner ~5k miles ago. Like others have reported, only minor wear.

fhh02a

02-04-2016, 07:12 AM

i had no issues with mine. I was at 78k when it was replaced. Still looked like it could have gone another 10-15k miles

Peter.dupuis

02-04-2016, 08:34 AM

going through maintenance paperwork and mine was replaced at 100k and nothing since. At 188k now prolly going to pull it out and check today

billyhoyle

02-04-2016, 09:21 AM

So I am guessing this never eventuated?

Now that's a word I've never heard before. Interesting.

It's here if you want it apparently: http://hpfpupgrade.com/Products/Show/Audi/2.0T+FSI/Audi+FSI+Performance+Cam+Follower

Maybe someone else has some info on it? Someone must be running it

Ringsby4

02-04-2016, 12:19 PM

Not mentioned here is that new cams,followers,tappets etc experience the highest wear on initial startup and then at idle throughout their service life.I bedded my follower in with a smear of zinc rich cam bedding formula.My follower came out at 80k with only the tiniest bright center spot,I replaced it and have a spare sitting in my parts drawer.I change my oil at 5K.A possible consequence of frequent inspections/changeovers is the wear to the internal threads from continual removal and tightening ( maybe over tightening) of the HPFP bolts resulting in galling and maybe stripping.

Okedokey

02-04-2016, 02:19 PM

That new cam, if it doesn't wear out, has anyone considered that it may then result in the cam itself wearing. Given that the part is cheap and easy to replace, may be by design it is meant to wear out? Also considering it is over 3 times the price of OE, I would rather simply replace 3 over 200K than risk wearing the cam.

Charles.waite

02-04-2016, 03:25 PM

The Cam follower was designed to the be sacrificial wear part. I think VAG did a miscalculation though and made the initial cam revision lobes too soft and found that the cam was wearing quickly even with the cam follower. The new revision cam lobes are much harder, presumably so when cam follower failure does occur, the cam will stand up to getting beat on my the pump plunger for longer without causing catastrophic wear.

Its still a stupid design and I really wish they'd been smart and just designed the pump using a roller follower like the 3.2 and 4.2FSI use. Its the definition of a good design ruined by bean counters...

mitchell.

02-04-2016, 04:43 PM

I can honestly say i've never had a single problem with mine. Albeit a 3.2, but thats beside the point [;)]

Charles.waite

02-04-2016, 05:10 PM

I can honestly say i've never had a single problem with mine. Albeit a 3.2, but thats beside the point [;)]

You 3.2 guys are lucky and have the roller cam design. It'll probably last the life of the car.

B-Time

02-04-2016, 05:26 PM

No problems 07 at 60K with stage 1 tune. Probably replace in the near future.

Charles.waite

02-04-2016, 05:31 PM

Wait my bad. 3.2 has the same follower as the 2.0t. Only the rs4 has the roller follower. My bad.

fhh02a

02-04-2016, 07:03 PM

http://i729.photobucket.com/albums/ww294/04zx3/45623F5F-CBF6-4789-A5D4-5DF93FDFD84F_zpsnpt9aplw.jpg (http://s729.photobucket.com/user/04zx3/media/45623F5F-CBF6-4789-A5D4-5DF93FDFD84F_zpsnpt9aplw.jpg.html)

My follower

At 78k

Ringsby4

02-04-2016, 07:48 PM

Wait my bad. 3.2 has the same follower as the 2.0t. Only the rs4 has the roller follower. My bad.
Doesn't the B8 with 2.0's have that roller cam follower ?

Denio24

02-04-2016, 08:05 PM

There is actually a company called Iabed Industries, formerly known as INA engineering. Some of you may know, and some of you may not, but they developed an adapter that fits the 2.0T head and includes a roller follower. There were some disputes that the cam lobe face was not designed for a roller follower and instead for a flat face follower, but it has been proven that the roller follower is indeed a solid performer. An individual has been running it for over a year and 10k miles. As far as price goes the actual adapter is quite affordable, but the cost of parts of the roller follower is insane, and some have suggested that it is actually cheaper to buy a used cylinder head with the follower housing already installed. If you plan on keeping your car and you are looking for a solution to this weak point, I definitely suggest it.

Charles.waite

02-04-2016, 10:29 PM

Not to be a doubter but 10k miles isn't exactly "proven".

But someone really needs to develop a fool proof system. I wouldn't be shocked if the INA roller retrofit worked long term but I'm not about to use my engine as the beta test. Especially with something that could easily go wrong pretty catastrophically.

Anyway I'm sort of shocked there hasn't been a really truly bulletproof solution to the cam follower dilemma.

Ringsby: I believe it does. In addition to the chain driven timing. In theory I could pull the pump on my wife's Q5 and check but that would require effort, haha.

The new ea888 motors have the HPFP issue totally sorted though. Audi learned their lesson from the ea113 we have. We were basically beta testers for them. Kinda sucks.

Ringsby4

02-05-2016, 12:08 AM

Ringsby: I believe it does. In addition to the chain driven timing. In theory I could pull the pump on my wife's Q5 and check but that would require effort, haha.

Heh Charles,no dont do that ! but yes I understood the belt was gone but where is the pump now ? Your drivers side rear still ? I agree with what you say re the rejigged INA setup,we don't want to be Beta testers again,that tappet idea on the OEM motor to drive a demanding HPFP is just crap considering what is a gem of a motor it really is but interesting what go's on in the background and sometimes googling for an hour just doesn't yield what you hear later...complex world we inhabit now.

Charles.waite

02-05-2016, 07:34 AM

Yea the new pump is in a similar, if not the same, location. The pump is redesigned though and maybe the cam and loves are as well.

AArebojie

02-05-2016, 08:46 AM

Where besides the dealership can I get my cam follower replaced in Minnesota? Audi charges $300 just to change it

I have a 2006 A4 2.0T (B7)

ryanhmusic

02-05-2016, 08:59 AM

Wait my bad. 3.2 has the same follower as the 2.0t. Only the rs4 has the roller follower. My bad.

you sure about that? I've never read anywhere that the 3.2 has follower issues.

cab509

02-05-2016, 09:19 AM

Where besides the dealership can I get my cam follower replaced in Minnesota? Audi charges $300 just to change it

I have a 2006 A4 2.0T (B7)

you can do it in your driveway/garage easy enough. Once you get it down I think I could probably remove the HPFP in 10minutes or less. (you'll need a 12pt 8mm torx bit which is easy enough to find on amazon and a low range torque wrench (also on amazon))

HERE IS THE DIY I USED TO PULL OUT THE HPFP

http://freepdfhosting.com/8791e81dac.pdf

For how little that part costs (and I'm coming from just having pretty much the entire top-end rebuilt because of a cam-follower failure) I will be checking this part every 10K when I change my oil and I keep a spare in my toolbox ( so when I see enough wear I can replace it immediately) with some spare coil packs as well. It's just part of owning an Audi I guess. For the record my car has 169K on it and I now drive a fair amount of mountain roads somewhat spirited.

the only bonus of that adventure is once I figure out how drill into the cams I'll have two nice lamps to always remind of me of my B7. If anyone has ideas of how to drill through the end caps of the cams let me know? I'm thinking of taking them to a shop and having them just use a drill press.

AArebojie

02-05-2016, 09:52 AM

you can do it in your driveway/garage easy enough. Once you get it down I think I could probably remove the HPFP in 10minutes or less. (you'll need a 12pt 8mm torx bit which is easy enough to find on amazon and a low range torque wrench (also on amazon))

HERE IS THE DIY I USED TO PULL OUT THE HPFP

http://freepdfhosting.com/8791e81dac.pdf

For how little that part costs (and I'm coming from just having pretty much the entire top-end rebuilt because of a cam-follower failure) I will be checking this part every 10K when I change my oil and I keep a spare in my toolbox ( so when I see enough wear I can replace it immediately) with some spare coil packs as well. It's just part of owning an Audi I guess. For the record my car has 169K on it and I now drive a fair amount of mountain roads somewhat spirited.

the only bonus of that adventure is once I figure out how drill into the cams I'll have two nice lamps to always remind of me of my B7. If anyone has ideas of how to drill through the end caps of the cams let me know? I'm thinking of taking them to a shop and having them just use a drill press.

I appreciate the help, the only problem is that I have no mechanical/car experience what so ever to be able to do this lol. No supplies and no experience haha. I was hoping there was a cheaper place in Minnesota that can replace it but everywhere charges $300 because of the 'labor'.

johnruan

02-05-2016, 11:00 AM

I appreciate the help, the only problem is that I have no mechanical/car experience what so ever to be able to do this lol. No supplies and no experience haha. I was hoping there was a cheaper place in Minnesota that can replace it but everywhere charges $300 because of the 'labor'.
$300 labor? The follower is like $25 and took about 30 mins. How much they charging by an hour? You should learn how to change it. I have no experience too but I learned from here to change out cam follower.

AArebojie

02-05-2016, 11:11 AM

$300 labor? The follower is like $25 and took about 30 mins. How much they charging by an hour? You should learn how to change it. I have no experience too but I learned from here to change out cam follower.

Yep, I believe they said it will be $300-330. I know the part is super cheap so labor is literally $300 lol. I feel helpless cause I have no car knowledge. I have read and watched videos on how to change it but feel I would do more damage myself.

MISKIE

02-05-2016, 07:00 PM

Yep, I believe they said it will be $300-330. I know the part is super cheap so labor is literally $300 lol. I feel helpless cause I have no car knowledge. I have read and watched videos on how to change it but feel I would do more damage myself.

I have no car knowledge also prior to joining AZ, last year. But I was able to change my whole exhaust system by my self in my garage. Took me the whole weekend though. Of course I wouldn't be able to do it without some of the members' expertise...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Charles.waite

02-05-2016, 09:20 PM

$300 labor? The follower is like $25 and took about 30 mins. How much they charging by an hour? You should learn how to change it. I have no experience too but I learned from here to change out cam follower.

Yea but shops charge book time.

It takes any half competent person an hour and 20 minutes if you've done it before. 10 minutes of which are fighting the banjo bolt or slowly getting the compression fitting off 1/8 of a turn at a time.

Charles.waite

02-05-2016, 09:27 PM

I mean if you don't feel comfortable doing that's fine but you pay the price (literally). But if you are mechanically inclined or don't have the living situation where you can do this stuff then that's understandable.

I had never done a thing on a car ever before I bought my first Audi in 2010. Since then I've gone from total noob to pretty damn capable of tackling nearly anything aside from bodywork or paint.

At the end of the day it's really just nuts and bolts.

cheemn

02-05-2016, 10:02 PM

Yep, I believe they said it will be $300-330. I know the part is super cheap so labor is literally $300 lol. I feel helpless cause I have no car knowledge. I have read and watched videos on how to change it but feel I would do more damage myself.

Don't you have an independent AUDI/VW mechanic in your area? I am sure they won't charge you that much.

I saw this thread come to life again and started getting nightmares. LOL.

Stu63

02-06-2016, 07:25 AM

The top end on mine is cammy/rattly

Charles.waite

02-06-2016, 11:18 AM

Don't you have an independent AUDI/VW mechanic in your area? I am sure they won't charge you that much.

I saw this thread come to life again and started getting nightmares. LOL.

Haha. Me too. I'm still sort of scarred by that cam cradle sealant. The memories of my 3 day cam replacement job still give me the willies.

For comparison I had to remove the intake cam on my 1.8t to replace the VVT cam chain tensioner and it took me an hour and a half. My 2.0t one took me 3 10 hour days. Granted I was going in totally blind as back then there was very little info out there on the procedure, and I was rolling in a timing belt replacement, but still....

johnruan

02-06-2016, 11:41 AM

Yea but shops charge book time.

It takes any half competent person an hour and 20 minutes if you've done it before. 10 minutes of which are fighting the banjo bolt or slowly getting the compression fitting off 1/8 of a turn at a time.
Yea if going to dealership that's about rite on labor but I'm sure there is an independent Audi/VW shop around that area. First time I did it took 2 hrs didn't have rite tools fighting the union bolt on compression fitting and banjo bolt with magnet antenna so the bolt won't get drop. It was a good learning experience.

OrangeA4

02-06-2016, 07:06 PM

I think I did mine for the first time at about 75-80K.
Mine had very little wear similar to the pictures you see in the thread where just the black has come off, but no pitting, cracking or major wear on the lobe or follower.
I did it myself. Thought it wasn't too bad. Would not bother doing every 10k miles IMHO unless you are beating the shzzz out of your car or have extensive mods. I would replace 2 maybe 3 times over the life of the car tho. I'll prob do mine again after 100k