Arctic Audi
01-31-2014, 07:45 AM
This is a bit of a long story but I think it's worth the read...
A couple weeks ago I started getting a CEL in my 2005.5 6 speed manual B7 with 85K+ miles on it. Car has a GIAC tune but is pretty much stock as far as performance mods. Never had any major issues with the car. In fact I love this car and have held onto it longer then I usually do because I just love it so much. Anyway, I threw a code for a camshaft sensor. I also noticed it was idling a bit rough as the tach seemed to move just a bit during idle. Nothing that noticeable but more then usual. I also began to hear a bit of noise from the engine compartment. It sounded a bit like a diesel. As for performance, it seemed to be fine. It still pulled hard and didn't notice any sounds or vibrations at highway speeds. I did take it a bit easy since it was still throwing a CEL but it was normal daily driving. Accelerating hard for merging on the highway and such.
Of course I did a search on Audizine and saw several references to the cam follower and how this noise can be related to that issue. My first thought was maybe this is what is causing the CEL and the noise. I also read the Audi has extended the warranty to 10 years or 120K for replacing this part due to the many documented issues it has had with the part.
So I immediately called my service rep at my local dealership. His name is Josh. Josh knows the history of my car and how well I take care of it. I told him my thoughts about the cam follower and he assured me he would look into it. The dealership gave me the usual loaner car....this time a 2014 A4 S-Line with Premium package. Very nice ride but I did miss my manual transmission.
Josh called me later in the day to tell me that the issue is not the cam follower. The problem is a solenoid and camshaft sensor...forget exactly which one...anyway, said it would cost about $400 with parts and labor and everything should be fine. I can come pick up my car tomorrow once the part arrives and they install it.
I told Josh to make sure to give it a good test drive and make sure this is in fact the culprit. I don't want a CEL coming on after I leave the dealership. Josh assured me he would have his service manager give it a spirited drive to make sure all checked out.
So the next day comes and Josh gives me a call. Said that they found some issues. After installing the sensor they realized it was more then that. The cam follower was indeed bad. They inspected the cam and found some metal shavings. Now they had to replace the cam follower, HPFP (High Pressure Fuel Pump), the camshaft and a couple other things that I didn't write down. Parts wouldn't be in for a day or two so I had to continue in the loaner through the weekend. Oh gee...what a bummer, you mean I need to drive this 2014 around more? A good deal for me.
Best part is Josh said everything would be covered due to the problem with the cam follower and that they were documenting everything with pictures and have contacted AoA about the issue to make sure it is taken care of. I was so relieved I didn't have this huge repair bill to worry about.
Tuesday or Wednesday of this week the parts arrived. Josh calls me up to say they found another issue. More damage on the back side of the engine. "They have to replace another part which is on order and will be here on Thursday. I should have my car back on Friday." Again, no cost to me!!!
So this is the part where you shake your head in amazement.
Thursday afternoon (yesterday), Josh calls to give me more news. Looks like they found more damage due to the cam follower failure. My heads were a bit scorched and more metal found in the engine. They contacted AoA about the new findings. AoA told the dealership to give me a whole NEW engine!!! I almost crapped myself. My car had 85K+ miles on it now it's getting a new engine. Josh stated that with all this damage who knows what this did to the engine. He also said normally AoA will replace with a factory refurb or reconditioned engine but due to the model they no longer have any of those so they are sending me a brand spanking NEW engine with all the trimmings. Josh told me they have seen several other cars with this issue but never to this extent. I get to keep the loaner for another week until it arrives form Germany and they get it installed.
I cannot begin to tell you how awesome my dealership is. I didn't even have to ask for anything...they just do it and make sure it is done right! I know many/most people have issues with their dealers and the costs associated with service. However, when they do their job right they are amazing and second to none. I can't believe how much they have gone to bat for me with AoA to make sure I am taken care of.
Thanks Josh, Sun Motors in Mechanicsburg, PA and especially Audi of America for keeping this loyal Audi owner a long time loyal Audi owner. I know I won't be switching brands anytime soon.
A couple weeks ago I started getting a CEL in my 2005.5 6 speed manual B7 with 85K+ miles on it. Car has a GIAC tune but is pretty much stock as far as performance mods. Never had any major issues with the car. In fact I love this car and have held onto it longer then I usually do because I just love it so much. Anyway, I threw a code for a camshaft sensor. I also noticed it was idling a bit rough as the tach seemed to move just a bit during idle. Nothing that noticeable but more then usual. I also began to hear a bit of noise from the engine compartment. It sounded a bit like a diesel. As for performance, it seemed to be fine. It still pulled hard and didn't notice any sounds or vibrations at highway speeds. I did take it a bit easy since it was still throwing a CEL but it was normal daily driving. Accelerating hard for merging on the highway and such.
Of course I did a search on Audizine and saw several references to the cam follower and how this noise can be related to that issue. My first thought was maybe this is what is causing the CEL and the noise. I also read the Audi has extended the warranty to 10 years or 120K for replacing this part due to the many documented issues it has had with the part.
So I immediately called my service rep at my local dealership. His name is Josh. Josh knows the history of my car and how well I take care of it. I told him my thoughts about the cam follower and he assured me he would look into it. The dealership gave me the usual loaner car....this time a 2014 A4 S-Line with Premium package. Very nice ride but I did miss my manual transmission.
Josh called me later in the day to tell me that the issue is not the cam follower. The problem is a solenoid and camshaft sensor...forget exactly which one...anyway, said it would cost about $400 with parts and labor and everything should be fine. I can come pick up my car tomorrow once the part arrives and they install it.
I told Josh to make sure to give it a good test drive and make sure this is in fact the culprit. I don't want a CEL coming on after I leave the dealership. Josh assured me he would have his service manager give it a spirited drive to make sure all checked out.
So the next day comes and Josh gives me a call. Said that they found some issues. After installing the sensor they realized it was more then that. The cam follower was indeed bad. They inspected the cam and found some metal shavings. Now they had to replace the cam follower, HPFP (High Pressure Fuel Pump), the camshaft and a couple other things that I didn't write down. Parts wouldn't be in for a day or two so I had to continue in the loaner through the weekend. Oh gee...what a bummer, you mean I need to drive this 2014 around more? A good deal for me.
Best part is Josh said everything would be covered due to the problem with the cam follower and that they were documenting everything with pictures and have contacted AoA about the issue to make sure it is taken care of. I was so relieved I didn't have this huge repair bill to worry about.
Tuesday or Wednesday of this week the parts arrived. Josh calls me up to say they found another issue. More damage on the back side of the engine. "They have to replace another part which is on order and will be here on Thursday. I should have my car back on Friday." Again, no cost to me!!!
So this is the part where you shake your head in amazement.
Thursday afternoon (yesterday), Josh calls to give me more news. Looks like they found more damage due to the cam follower failure. My heads were a bit scorched and more metal found in the engine. They contacted AoA about the new findings. AoA told the dealership to give me a whole NEW engine!!! I almost crapped myself. My car had 85K+ miles on it now it's getting a new engine. Josh stated that with all this damage who knows what this did to the engine. He also said normally AoA will replace with a factory refurb or reconditioned engine but due to the model they no longer have any of those so they are sending me a brand spanking NEW engine with all the trimmings. Josh told me they have seen several other cars with this issue but never to this extent. I get to keep the loaner for another week until it arrives form Germany and they get it installed.
I cannot begin to tell you how awesome my dealership is. I didn't even have to ask for anything...they just do it and make sure it is done right! I know many/most people have issues with their dealers and the costs associated with service. However, when they do their job right they are amazing and second to none. I can't believe how much they have gone to bat for me with AoA to make sure I am taken care of.
Thanks Josh, Sun Motors in Mechanicsburg, PA and especially Audi of America for keeping this loyal Audi owner a long time loyal Audi owner. I know I won't be switching brands anytime soon.