2.0T Camshaft Warranty Extension??

[Seanyjonny]

I own a 2006 Audi A4 2.0t Quattro with 98,000 miles. I noticed when i first drive it for the day it shifts hard between 2-3rd gear and down shifts fairly hard some of the time. I also notice a loss of power when the car is accelerating a bit over 20mph or at about 1800-2000rpm, usually 3rd gear. Took it to local euro mech for a ATF service/filter change and he said i shouldn't waste my money on it as it wouldn't help the issue. I have just recently been reading about this common issue with the cam shaft for the car and was wondering if this is what i could be experiencing? If so, will Audi be willing to fix it for free?

I found this thread on the extension of the warranty and listed VIN #'s eligible and mine is within.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/424044-2-0T-Camshaft-warranty-extension-and-reimbursement

[BenMTL]

Shifting has nothing to do with camshaft warranty extension.

[KJack]

You were right to consider getting the ATF changed. I'd find a different repair shop though. Find someone who specializes in Audi/VW rather than a basic "import repair" place because Audi ATF change can be tricky. It requires very specific fluid and diagnostic temperature monitoring while doing the fill. I made the mistake of going to a local import repair shop that did a lot of damage to my car because they were more familiar with BMWs and Mercedes than Audi. The difference between working on a BMW, Mercedes and Audi can be as different as Ford, Jaguar and Kia. What city are you in?

Also, when you get the ATF changed you might as well have them check the cam follower anyway, since it's a known concern.

[Charles.waite]

Hard shifting and lack of power are two separate issues.

Getting the ATF changed was a good idea. Assuming they're using the proper ZF fluid it should help smooth things out. Make sure they swap the filter as well.

As far as the camshaft issue, you're going to have to pull the HPFP an inspect the cam and the follower. Thats the only way to know for sure.

[Seanyjonny]

I live in Houston, the place i go to is the only one I know of around here other than Audi themselves.

[Charles.waite]

Have the shop pull the HPF and inspect it then. Its roughly 30 minutes of work for an inexperienced home mechanic like myself. A shop should be able to do it in like 15-20 minutes easy.

I know the dealer charges a $150 inspection fee, that they will waive if your car turns out to need the warranty replacement.

[KJack]

I live in Houston, the place i go to is the only one I know of around here other than Audi themselves.

Try this place. In Houston, Audi specialists, probably cheaper than the dealer.

http://www.reisumotorsports.com

[Seanyjonny]

I took it to a second place for them to also say that they would not recommend wasting my money on a transmission service, fluid/filter change because they don't think it will improve the performance. Are mechanics scared to touch it because its a sealed tran? I was reading about some people having issues with it leaking from busted seals after they do the service. Audi does claim that its a "lifetime" fluid, maybe because of the seals?

[KJack]

I took it to a second place for them to also say that they would not recommend wasting my money on a transmission service, fluid/filter change because they don't think it will improve the performance. Are mechanics scared to touch it because its a sealed tran? I was reading about some people having issues with it leaking from busted seals after they do the service. Audi does claim that its a "lifetime" fluid, maybe because of the seals?

Non-Audi shops might be nervous about changing the fluid because there's a good chance they'll make things worse unless they monitor the process with a vag-com device and use Audi/VW fluid specific to your transmission, and many repair shops have neither of those items. With 98k miles and hard shifting, I'm surprised that any decent shop would try to talk you out of changing the ATF. Take it to an Audi shop. I cannot stress that enough. You don't want to cut corners when it comes to your transmission.

[Charles.waite]

Non-Audi shops might be nervous about changing the fluid because there's a good chance they'll make things worse unless they monitor the process with a vag-com device and use Audi/VW fluid specific to your transmission, and many repair shops have neither of those items. With 98k miles and hard shifting, I'm surprised that any decent shop would try to talk you out of changing the ATF. Take it to an Audi shop. I cannot stress that enough. You don't want to cut corners when it comes to your transmission.

This. It's hardly a complex process but you do have to monitor the fluid temps through VCDS while you fill it.

Lots of Audis and BMWs (and a few Porsches) use the same ZF 6HP19 transmission as the b7 so any good Euro shop should have the equipment and knowledge to do it. I've done it to both a b6 and a b7 and it's really not hard and it absolutely WILL improve shifting performance. Often it's recommended to change the fluid once. Then a month later change it again. Because when you drain it you still are leaving 3liters or so of fluid inside the transmission. Doing it twice gives you something like 80% new fluid vs less than 50% if you simply drain and refill.

A friend was having lots of issues with his b6 tranny and two fluid drains and refills and a new filter made the tranny shift like new.

And it's pretty hard to cause leaks. There is a fancy gasket that you buy and it fits right in there. No messing with rtv and springing leaks at in opportune times because the mechanic was sloppy with his rtv bead.