Bought a used S6 that didnt have its oil changed regularily

[Mr.Creasy]

Ok. So I am furious with myself for not looking at the carfax for the maintenance record before buying. The last owner did oil changes at 12,400 miles, 22,600 miles, and the third was at almost 40,000 miles.

Is there anyway of knowing if any engine components have been worn out prematurely because of this? Car is still under warranty for 7 months. Any recommendations?

[sepheroth86]

Just because it wasn't reported to carfax, doesn't mean it wasn't done.

[Mr.Creasy]

it was done, but it wasnt done on time. Or do you mean the mileage reported on carfax for the oil change intervals may be wrong?

[Alabama]

it was done, but it wasnt done on time. Or do you mean the mileage reported on carfax for the oil change intervals may be wrong?

Not all services are reported to Carfax (e.g., AZ folk who do their own oil changes, Jiffy Lube, etc.). Don't rely on me, but others write about sending a sample of oil out for analysis, cutting open and inspecting the oil filter, and inspecting insides of the turbos. I suspect many folk will tell you the greatest concern is that a tiny oil screen in the line that goes to the turbos may become clogged over time and "starve" the turbos of oil. The problem is that I don't think there is any easy (i.e., inexpensive) way to check for this possible problem. Hopefully the more expert folk on AZ will chime in.

[A6sport]

Believe me (us on the board) if that car had not had its oil changed, you probably wouldn't be driving it...

If it's yours now, I'd get it into a shop for some serious diagnostic work and be prepared to spend 7-10k to get it into top shape.

[Valpo A7]

Could have been doing oil analysis and changed when recommended. Synthetic oil will easily last 15,000 miles.

According to Carfax my last car had its last oil change at about 45-60,000 miles but I traded it in at 190,000 miles. I did all my own work and of course that data was never reported. It saw an oil change with semi synthetic about every 7,000 miles.

[gk1]

Exactly...don't rely on carfax.
My car has only had one dealer oil change that would be reported, the other 8 were done by yours truly.

[moosehead1]

Change the oil to syn spec. Get your screen deleted or JHM reroute installed, new PCV, and while you're in there some new SRM RS7 turbos, DS1.

Then go drive the snot outta her.

[Mr.Creasy]

I'm thinking I will have a leak down test done and then inspect the turbos (housings, blades). Then, I will probably extend my warrenty lol.

Also not sure if I'm thinking of the same part but I heard the oil screen in the line leading to the turbos was fixed for MY 2018. Might as well check it anyway though.

[repnaudi]

I just bought a 2017 and the dealer gave me some sort of carfax for life thing where I can update it anytime I do my own oil changes so it's on record. Everyone who does it themselves but wants to keep the records on there may be interested in doing that. I never knew about it

[Alabama]

Also not sure if I'm thinking of the same part but I heard the oil screen in the line leading to the turbos was fixed for MY 2018. Might as well check it anyway though.

This one gets debated a lot on AZ. The "G" revision is the most current but apparently one has to check VIN to be sure if it was used at time of manufacture. Further, people argue whether the G version truly solves the problem. Assuming the screen itself is the problem (and not poor maintenance/abuse) one company developed a solution that relocates the screen for easy inspection/cleaning (it takes hours of disassembly to reach the original screen location); others throw the screen away as part of a turbo replacement project. What I have not seen is data on people's experience with relocation on whether the screen continues to become fouled (so the relocation is a good answer to allow screen cleaning) or if the relocated screens remain pristine, implying some other cause. Many of the reports follow the pattern of "my turbos failed, I took the engine apart, I found a fouled screen, I believe the fouled screen caused the turbo failure, not that the turbo failure (or my driving habits/lack of properly maintaining the car) caused the fouled screen". It's a lot of anecdotes; if there's solid engineering data, I've missed it.

Separately, as you are no doubt already aware, if you have any concern about anything with the car during the remaining seven months of original warranty, take it to the dealer to start a paper trail even if the dealer does not find a problem at that moment. If the PCV valve dies at month eight, a reputable dealer should advocate for you with corporate to cover the cost of the repair.

[Valpo A7]

Ok. So I am furious with myself for not looking at the carfax for the maintenance record before buying. The last owner did oil changes at 12,400 miles, 22,600 miles, and the third was at almost 40,000 miles.

Is there anyway of knowing if any engine components have been worn out prematurely because of this? Car is still under warranty for 7 months. Any recommendations?

Did you buy the car from an Audi dealer? Does the CARFAX list if an Audi dealer did the work? Chances are that if you bought it from an Audi dealer and an Audi dealer has done the maintenance on it so far then there is an excellent chance the dealer will have a complete history in their computer for what was done to it. Look into that and see what you can find.

We bought our A7 used from a dealer who actually sold it in the first place and did all the maintenance on the car for the original owner. I simply went in to the service department and they printed out all the work done on it.

Even the stupid crap was on the report. CUSTOMER STATES HE HEARS A RATTLE ON RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. Cause: A STICK WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE BELLY PAN AND DRIVESHAFT. Solution: REMOVED STICK, NOISE NO LONGER HEARD.

I am betting that was a $170 stick after that.

[daytona rs7]

This one gets debated a lot on AZ. The "G" revision is the most current but apparently one has to check VIN to be sure if it was used at time of manufacture. Further, people argue whether the G version truly solves the problem. Assuming the screen itself is the problem (and not poor maintenance/abuse) one company developed a solution that relocates the screen for easy inspection/cleaning (it takes hours of disassembly to reach the original screen location); others throw the screen away as part of a turbo replacement project. What I have not seen is data on people's experience with relocation on whether the screen continues to become fouled (so the relocation is a good answer to allow screen cleaning) or if the relocated screens remain pristine, implying some other cause. Many of the reports follow the pattern of "my turbos failed, I took the engine apart, I found a fouled screen, I believe the fouled screen caused the turbo failure, not that the turbo failure (or my driving habits/lack of properly maintaining the car) caused the fouled screen". It's a lot of anecdotes; if there's solid engineering data, I've missed it.

Separately, as you are no doubt already aware, if you have any concern about anything with the car during the remaining seven months of original warranty, take it to the dealer to start a paper trail even if the dealer does not find a problem at that moment. If the PCV valve dies at month eight, a reputable dealer should advocate for you with corporate to cover the cost of the repair.


my relocated screens continue to have debris in them.

i am also under the assumption that some MY18 cars do not have the latest screen. this is based on TSB release dates and when MY18 cars actually start getting produced.

I also feel that rev G screen will not be the end all solution.

[Mr.Creasy]

Thanks for all the info you've supplied on this thread Alabama. I actually made an appointment for my local dealer this morning. The fuel door is stuck and I have to use a credit card to open it. I also mentioned a rough idle, even though there really isnt any. I want to figure something out to give them a reason to do a leak down test on my car.

[Mr.Creasy]

Yes I did buy it from Audi Brooklyn NY, Im going to give them a call right now actually. I had this same idea last night! Thanks

[5000S]

Believe me (us on the board) if that car had not had its oil changed, you probably wouldn't be driving it...

If it's yours now, I'd get it into a shop for some serious diagnostic work and be prepared to spend 7-10k to get it into top shape.

Your recommendation here is absurd. You don't know the entire history, the car has low miles, and you want to spend up to $10,000.00 for what ?

Wow.....

[A6sport]

Your recommendation here is absurd. You don't know the entire history, the car has low miles, and you want to spend up to $10,000.00 for what ?

Wow.....

Why thank you, I resemble that remark! Hahaha.

[moosehead1]

Why thank you, I resemble that remark! Hahaha.

Roger that, here too at lower miles than OP.

[Alabama]

my relocated screens continue to have debris in them.

Interesting. Few folk have commented one way or the other as far as I've seen. There is an AZ thread "JHM turbo oil screen relocation review" started about 18 months ago where some person in a very recent post #70 wrote "the dealer has changed my oil 2x since screen install (8k after install and 2k after that). after i got the car back from service I have cleaned the screens in the JHM kit. Only the first time had minimal debris." The author seems to be one of the sharper folk on AZ so I try to pay attention to those posts.

[daytona rs7]

Interesting. Few folk have commented one way or the other as far as I've seen. There is an AZ thread "JHM turbo oil screen relocation review" started about 18 months ago where some person in a very recent post #70 wrote "the dealer has changed my oil 2x since screen install (8k after install and 2k after that). after i got the car back from service I have cleaned the screens in the JHM kit. Only the first time had minimal debris." The author seems to be one of the sharper folk on AZ so I try to pay attention to those posts.

My thread, and my follow up post.

And, thank you. Lol

[Alabama]

My thread, and my follow up post.

And, thank you. Lol

OK, I"m caught. Even though I knew both posts were the same author, I stand by my last sentence. But, my point is that as far as I know there are a variety of comments on AZ about the screen without a clear fact-based conclusion. One person posts a picture after turbo failure of a removed screen that looks like it was dipped in road tar and then baked, while you note "minimal debris" one time and apparently no debris another time. If all these engines were constantly throwing large amounts of debris at the screen, one would think the folk who did the relocation would report that. Of course, people cautious enough to do the relocation are probably also more conscientious about caring for their motors.