How to get the dealer to check cam lobe wear?

[johntesi]

Hey guys,
In anticipation of my upcoming winter mods (exhaust, FMIC, fuel pump) I'd like to be sure that my cam lobe and associated parts are in top shape before dropping the coin on all of these mods.. My car is still under warranty, and in the warmer weather I would occasionally catch a hint of WOT 3rd gear fuel cut. Which I understand to be normal with a flash.
My question is- if I complain to the dealer about fuel cut, will they inspect the cam lobes? If not, what can I do/say to get an inspection done?
Thanks!

[Sanjman]

Not sure how educated your technicians are but mine don't know what a fuel cut is. My dealer follows their protocol of waiting for the failure codes to popup for them to check anything. They said "we're not going to waste time if there are no engine codes" as if they only rely on that only. However, I forgot to mention to them that I will pay for the per hour labor charge for them to take apart then put together that part of the car. You might be able to try that if all else fails. If they smarten up maybe the dealers should allow that and maybe even get for labor/parts from AoA if the failure exists.

[Slo.Mo.Shun.]

Before I did my fuel pump I tried to get them to check, but they told me until they get a code or the thing blows up they wont check unless I pay.

[fly300kts]

Hey guys,
In anticipation of my upcoming winter mods (exhaust, FMIC, fuel pump) I'd like to be sure that my cam lobe and associated parts are in top shape before dropping the coin on all of these mods.. My car is still under warranty, and in the warmer weather I would occasionally catch a hint of WOT 3rd gear fuel cut. Which I understand to be normal with a flash.
My question is- if I complain to the dealer about fuel cut, will they inspect the cam lobes? If not, what can I do/say to get an inspection done?
Thanks!

Pull the pump off and boroscope the cam lobe. We do that every on the airlines to check for example, the compressor stages.

[B7A4Sport]

Yea, do whatever it takes to check; I just got a whole info session from some folks at Stasis about cam lobe wear from aftermarket fuel pumps yesterday when I was waiting for my suspension install. Sounds like a problem most people w/ upgraded pumps experience, but very few seem to properly diagnose it. I remember a number of threads/posts a while back about fuel pumps causing mysterious power losses, and not one mention of lobe wear.

Wonder if there are any vendors/companies making cams that support a higher volume pump; seems this could unlock more power potential for the B7's.

[artinmoTTion]

I've been following this product, and may order it, it's even on sale now. Anyone have this yet?

http://kmdtuning.com/store/index.php...productId=1426

Seems like a good solution to the problem, if it fits well (KMD is good, looks like they've tested it well) and doesn't cause any other issues.

You're going to have to pay out of pocket to get it checked, but yes, if there were problems found, you might be able to have work done under warranty.

Keep your receipts, I sense that this is yet another pending class action lawsuit against a faulty AoA product that they're not willing to acknowledge a problem with.

One potential solution is that for many of us, there is a recall/fix for the current version of the fuel pressure sensor. To replace this, they're already part of the way into checking cam lobe wear, so this is a good time to spend the labor $ to have it checked. Check and see if your car has had that done yet, or if it's an outstanding recall yet to be done. I tried to do this and was reassured by the tech that there was no code for it at the time, and I "didn't have to worry". Definitely, though, if you have or are going to get a high pressure pump, have it checked first, and often (yearly, imho.) I'd probably also strongly consider the product above.

Cheers.

[RedS-line]

art, does that cam follower by KMD prevent cam lobe wear? What exactly does it do? I want the new pump but as an 06 I have the old cam and fuel pump which kmd says should be the latest one before installing the new pump.

[artinmoTTion]

Audi has hardened the cam itself since finding this problem. You can find more information on this from APR and their documentation online for their upgraded fuel pump. (A solid sign that Audi knows there's a problem--this problem has happened to stock cars as well as upgraded ones). Wise aftermarket companies like APR and KMD want you to check for cam lobe wear because it's a known problem that will be exacerbated by their higher pressure pumps. Using a beefier cam follower like KMD's, you'll probably still see wear over time, but you'll be starting out not only with an unworn follower, (one of the pieces that wears) but one that's a bit tougher (presumably) and thicker than the thinner stock piece, so it should take longer to wear than the stock part. Since I don't have direct experience with this piece from KMD yet, I was wondering if anyone had installed this yet.

[Slo.Mo.Shun.]

I ordered a KMD cap a few days ago, lets see how it does.

[Dangler]

Find a good dealership to take it to, a competent dealer that will do the job. Alot are lazy and just like to band aid or avoid the fix. for you to get them too look at the cam or anything related to the fuel cut, you need to throw a check engine light. i got the light during some heavy acceleration, along with the fuel cut. happened a few times, brought it to my dealer (who btw has a motorsport division and works on modded cars still under warranty). i told them what was up, told them i threw a code a couple of times, the code stored. they scanned my car, and it threw fuel cut related codes. they replaced the cam and follower all under warranty, they will flash over your ecu, but i was lucky enough that my dealer also carries giac, and reflashed me my set of programs!!!

Jack Daniels in NJ ftw.

[bloodstar57]

Pull the pump off and boroscope the cam lobe. We do that every on the airlines to check for example, the compressor stages.

^Not every A or B check.

Also i would like to get them to check mine as well.

[artinmoTTion]

I appreciate that, Sir HID, keep us informed........