Odds of having Timing Chain Issues in B6 S4, And is it worth it?

[LINDW4LL]

TL;DR: I'm prepared to pay regular maintenance costs for the S4 and the occasional more expensive issue but replacing the Timing Chain is just way too expensive. Is it very likely to be an issue?

Thanks guys.

OP, here's a good deal on an avant in Minnesota which has already had the full timing service done, and it also has some JHM goodies as well.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...655984561.html

[ep1cang3l]

3rd owner of my b6 s4 and it now has 106,XXX miles and have no oil consumption or timing rattle. Got lucky with mine but plan to do the chains before it is actually needed.

[Avantium]

Odds of having Timing Chain Issues in B6 S4: 100%

All good things come to an end.

What is your experience with the B7's?

[nicks4]

Just spent the better part of the summer rebuilding the timing on my B6 S4.
No codes, nothing, just shaking misfire idle etc. Finally got a VAG connected and could see the cam adjusters were not able to achieve their target. In other words they could not compensate for the engine being out of time a chain link or two.
Pulled the engine, two broken guides. The usual culprit, main lower left guide was almost cracked in two and the other one was was shattered (bank 1 tensioner guide). The center chain had skipped...
I maintained the hell out of this car. Agreed with JHM, 100% likely to happen. Like clockwork at 100k.

Tally was about 1500$ (I did all guides, tensioners, seals and bank 1 chain + other odds and ends, tools etc). Figure 30-40hrs. I changed a lot of other things like clutch, suspension arms, the list goes on. In the end was it worth it? YES, the car runs beautifully again.
But the car is for sale now :) another baby on the way and need more space...

[2BLKDSM]

I didn't know about this when I bought the car, but I did get a 3rd party warranty on it. Hopefully I can get this done while I still have the warranty. The weather is getting a little cooler, had like 1 sec rattle this morning on start up

[badger.]

I daily drive my '05 about 75 miles/day. I have 151,500 miles on it. I have not had the timing service done.

I don't plan on doing it anytime soon. I have 1/2 sec of "startup rattle" which seems 100% normal to me. Haven't even changed the oil check valves.. that thread popped up literally 5 days after I had just re-done the IM spacers and valley pan gasket and I haven't felt like getting into it again.

One of these days it will just explode on me. Every time I make a post like this I beat any nearby wood into submission.

YMMV.

[cobraBLACK]

...I beat any nearby wood into submission.

(This means the same thing in the US as it does in the UK, right?)

I'm glad I'm not your mechanic then!

[Jake@JHM]

I didn't know about this when I bought the car, but I did get a 3rd party warranty on it. Hopefully I can get this done while I still have the warranty. The weather is getting a little cooler, had like 1 sec rattle this morning on start up

Good luck. We deal with those all of the time and ZERO of them have paid out. They waste our time asking for an itemized list of every single part and part number going into the car, and then an itemized list of labor (which is ridiculous because there are so many steps). Then they find every reason to deny the claim. We have even had companies cancel the the warranty and refund the money back to the customer.

[CHECKERED]

Odds of having Timing Chain Issues in B6 S4: 100%

Another interesting quote came to mind
“given a long enough time frame everyone’s life expectancy is 0”

[2BLKDSM]

Good luck. We deal with those all of the time and ZERO of them have paid out. They waste our time asking for an itemized list of every single part and part number going into the car, and then an itemized list of labor (which is ridiculous because there are so many steps). Then they find every reason to deny the claim. We have even had companies cancel the the warranty and refund the money back to the customer.

Thanks

I like my car, but at this point I have been thinking about getting something else. I just checked out a 2012 S4 that seems like a really good price, but for that much I think I might get and Evo instead. Not sure what to do, I've already done a lot to this car (maintenance and upgrades)

[SpoolBus]

I just checked out a 2012 S4 but for that much I think I might get and Evo instead

Jake,

If they refund my warranty $ I could buy a Jetta...woot woot...who has the last laugh now Fr's!!

[2BLKDSM]

Lol, which one is bad, a 2012 S4 or an Evo?

[LINDW4LL]

Lol, which one is bad, a 2012 S4 or an Evo?

B8 S4>Evo in every way.

[SpoolBus]

Lol, which one is bad, a 2012 S4 or an Evo?

Really not even in the same class
Kinda like saying I'm going to buy a new Civic SI or a used CL55 AMG (both have 2 doors and that's about it).

[2BLKDSM]

Well, I like them both

[nicks4]

I think its more age related then mileage. The guide material just seems to crack and fall apart. Mine had very little actual wear on them...

[SpoolBus]

I think its more age related then mileage. The guide material just seems to crack and fall apart. Mine had very little actual wear on them...

There doesn't seem to be any rime or reason, new cars, old cars they all have failed at different times.
I would agree plastic sitting in oil for 10+ years would add to a higher probability but...

[Professor]

I'm really nervous to type this, as I don't want to jinx myself... but my 04 is on 98k miles with no scoring or timing chain issues.

The car has been very well maintained, which I think plays a big part in it.

[SpoolBus]

I'm really nervous to type this, as I don't want to jinx myself... but my 04 is on 98k miles with no scoring or timing chain issues.

The car has been very well maintained, which I think plays a big part in it.

You would think but again not the case, I have every service record from day 1 all completed by Audi, 2 owner car, lady owned it since 20K miles, TIP, beautiful condition yet mine "consumes" (lets be real BURNS) 1 qt every 1.5K

No timing rattle tho

[cdsvt]

Worst case $15K (I have receipts from the dealer to prove it) - new long block. If you are worried about it, buy a different car. it isn't worth the stress.

[carlbelleau]

90k mile b7 s4 2008, got bad chain rattle every startup and drink 1 quart of oil every 300mile waiting to get a hand on an boroscope to confirm the badest scenario. Before i buy timing part.

have buy the car at distance one year ago 10000miles ago seller said no oil consumption or engine noise. Got maintenance record since day 1 with every thing done.
So one thing sure those wanting to buy those car should made every inspection they are able to be done. Dont buy blind like me because its the color and option you want.
I love the v8 s4 but i hate myself buying her at 25k$ with those issue

[Canadian UrQ]

I've just replaced the timing chains on my 2005 B6 S4 Avant. Ultimately this came down the the reality that there is nothing on the market that I would want to replace my Avant with!!!! There is a complete lack of sport wagons in the North American market and my beloved S4 is in great shape. The service was preemptive, I had just over 100k miles and while the car wasn't giving me any problems I wanted it done before they let go. I purchased the timing chain kit from JHM and took the opportunity to replace the exhaust system from the headers back with Fast Intentions X-bend 2.5" pipes with high flow race cats and 14" resonators.

The decision to do the timing chain was a good one, with the engine out and the cover off the wear and tear on the timing chain systems was clearly evident with all the things you'd expect to find plus some of the guides were only being held in place by the chains. The cost of the timing chain service was about $6000 US for parts and labour (not by Audi dealer) and about $2500 for the exhaust. I have the car back and it is running beautifully, more important it now sounds like an RS5, the exhaust note is exceptional. Now I'm going to get the ECU flashed with JHM's tuning and I plan to drive the car until Audi decides to bring the RS4 or RS6 Avants to this side of the pond.

This is no small service and I might question doing it on one of the sedans because there are plenty of options out there. However the Avants are special, and if you, like me, refuse to drive a top heavy SUV, then keeping a B6 or B7 Avant on the road is completely worthwhile.

Cheers