Hole In Cam Follower Audi Says No

[OreOOO]

I just bought a 2.0t 2007 A4 with 116,000 miles. I was doing some maintenance work on the car and decided to check the cam follower. Once I got it out there was a big hole in the center like you see all over the web and the crank marred up slightly and also signs of damage on the HPFP. Now I brought it to Audi and they said they can't do anything because the car isn't throwing any codes. Does this sound right?

[fly300kts]

yes (from some dealers) but really easy to trigger them: remove the connector on top of the pump and take the car for a spin.
Code will be there really shortly
Reinstall the defective follower and go back to the dealer

Phil

[KJack]

That sounds like a cop-out on their part. What jerks. I've heard that some places won't inspect it if there's no code, but never heard of a dealer turning away a car with a verified hole in the cam follower. Is there another dealer you can call and ask? If not, I'd complain to Audi of America and get them to jump on the dealer's back about this.

[Copen-cisco]

yes (from some dealers) but really easy to trigger them: remove the connector on top of the pump and take the car for a spin.
Code will be there really shortly
Reinstall the defective follower and go back to the dealer

Phil

What Phil said. I did that and local Audi dealer took care of the rest.

[zcspec]

Wow, that's like a patient coming to see me with a compound fractured foot, only to have me tell them, "I can't see you because you don't have a referral form." Simply amazing...I assume you're taking it to the dealership because it's under/has an extended warranty.

[fly300kts]

Wow, that's like a patient coming to see me with a compound fractured foot, only to have me tell them, "I can't see you because you don't have a referral form." Simply amazing...I assume you're taking it to the dealership because it's under/has an extended warranty.

He is taking it to the dealer because this issue is covered under warranty up to 120K as long as VIN number is included in the recall VIN range

Phil

[OreOOO]

I checked and it is in the VIN range and qualifies. Will I be incriminating myself by telling them I'm doing the work myself and showing them a picture like I have above? Would unplugging the sensor cause any damage? And would it actually work?

[Copen-cisco]

I checked and it is in the VIN range and qualifies. Will I be incriminating myself by telling them I'm doing the work myself and showing them a picture like I have above? Would unplugging the sensor cause any damage? And would it actually work?

I would not tell them anything. Play stupid. Tell them that you have a CEL code and the car drives funky they will most likely tell you that they will charge you a diagnostics fee of ~$150 which they will cover when they see the warranty work that is needed.

Before you to in unplug the sensor and drive around the block so you throw a code. There is no harm done to the car.

[OreOOO]

Thing is I already took it there and told them that I "think" there is a hole in my cam follower. And when I removing the HPFP the gasket was smoked so I put I new one on that was blue not the original black. Should I just play dumb about that too?

[WewannaB7]

Go to a different Audi dealer if you have another nearby.

[Silveravant]

This has been covered many times, but if agree to pay the dealer a diagnosis fee even if there are no codes, and they find what you found the extended warranty will apply and your diagnosis fee will be refunded. It would seem from your original post that you should be covered.

[JDillon15]

Thing is I already took it there and told them that I "think" there is a hole in my cam follower. And when I removing the HPFP the gasket was smoked so I put I new one on that was blue not the original black. Should I just play dumb about that too?

If they even realize that the gasket is a different color, which they likely wont, I would play dumb, yes.

They can't prove it was you that changed it. I doubt they even know the original color.

[OreOOO]

Okay, thanks for helping! I asked if they could take off the pump and they said it would be under my expense which I said I was fine with. And then asked if they would then cover it under the warranty if it was damaged and they said no it would need to have a code. They're making it almost as if they can't touch it unless it has a code.

[fly300kts]

Okay, thanks for helping! I asked if they could take off the pump and they said it would be under my expense which I said I was fine with. And then asked if they would then cover it under the warranty if it was damaged and they said no it would need to have a code. They're making it almost as if they can't touch it unless it has a code.

Not sure if you are trolling at this stage: we told you what to do in order to trigger the code so you should know what to do now, IF you want
I'm done here

Phil

[OreOOO]

No, just explaining my situation. I'm going to pull the plug tomorrow and bring it back. I'll post up how it all goes.

[fly300kts]

No, just explaining my situation. I'm going to pull the plug tomorrow and bring it back. I'll post up how it all goes.

And it would be wise to pick another dealer

Phil

[SamsonKnight]

Yes, reason why is because when they order whatever is damaged by the cam follower, the dealer needs to send the diagnostic logs and any damaged parts from the car as proof to audi of america. But what you could do is Drive it till it breaks. Then drive it some more. Should have a code then lol You could be in for a new motor :) just don't pass 120k or within extended warrenty time.

[DannyDeez]

Following this in hopes that it all works out for you

[DanKing]

I checked and it is in the VIN range and qualifies. Will I be incriminating myself by telling them I'm doing the work myself and showing them a picture like I have above? Would unplugging the sensor cause any damage? And would it actually work?

Could you tell or link me to this VIN range ?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[DannyDeez]

Could you tell or link me to this VIN range ?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Easiest and most definitive way is to call audi of america and give them your vin#

[naiku]

but never heard of a dealer turning away a car with a verified hole in the cam follower. Is there another dealer you can call and ask? If not, I'd complain to Audi of America and get them to jump on the dealer's back about this.

Had this happen to me, showed them pictures I took of the cam follower with a hole in it. Also, calling Audi of America will get you nowhere, they told me exactly the same thing as the dealer.

This has been covered many times, but if agree to pay the dealer a diagnosis fee even if there are no codes, and they find what you found the extended warranty will apply and your diagnosis fee will be refunded.

This is what I ended up doing, albeit after going to a different dealer.

But what you could do is Drive it till it breaks. Then drive it some more. Should have a code then lol You could be in for a new motor :) just don't pass 120k or within extended warrenty time.

Never gonna happen before he hits 120k. The first cam follower I checked was busted like that, the car drove completely normal for a good while afterwards until I was able to get it replaced.

[fly300kts]

Could you tell or link me to this VIN range ?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

A4 2005-2007 VIN range WAU___8E_5A405683 to WAU___8E_7A284778

A4 Cab 2007 VIN range WAU___8H_7K013458 to WAU___8H_7K037815

A3 2006-2007 VIN range WAU___8P_6A000150 to WAU___8P_7A227907

Phil

[phatjames167]

I only read about half way down but I just went through this too. Just let them know you went to replace the cam follower because it's a known issue and when you went to change it your cam had a whole and the cam was marred up along with the piston (at least my piston was). Also bring in the old cam follower for them to see. They may still need to diag and try to charge you but if they come to the logical conclusion that it is an issue they wont, but you need to make sure to get it done now because it's not just 120k mile limit, it's also 10 years after the drop off date, not the year of the vehicle.

My 06's drop off date is Sept 23 2005 so even though it's an 06 they wouldn't cover the work because I brought it in two months and two weeks after the drop off date.

[Rulty]

I told my dealer to check my follower for me, even though I knew it looked exactly like yours, they said they would do it, but if nothing is wrong then I'd have to pay the labor to check the part. Knowing it was bad I played dumb and said I have no problem paying if the part is OK
. low and behold 2 hours later I get a call saying the warranty will cover it.....at 195,000 miles

[phatjames167]

I told my dealer to check my follower for me, even though I knew it looked exactly like yours, they said they would do it, but if nothing is wrong then I'd have to pay the labor to check the part. Knowing it was bad I played dumb and said I have no problem paying if the part is OK
. low and behold 2 hours later I get a call saying the warranty will cover it.....at 195,000 miles

Do you go to the dealer regularly? I don't ever go but for recalls so I feel like that's why they wouldn't help me out.

[BenMTL]

Any luck OP?

[80sGuy]

Two options:
1. Take it to another dealer (because no two are alike)
2. Call A.O.A.
Luckily my dealer has remedied many issues w/o needing the codes present.

[OreOOO]

It's crazy I asked for them to take the HPFP off and check the CF and I would pay for the labor and they said even if they saw the damage they would need the code. I explained to service that I had gone to replace it and saw a marred up cam lobe and a hole right through the CF and also scoring on the HPFP. I have owned two Audis now and havent ever brought a car in for any work. The next nearest dealer is about 45 minutes away vs this One which is right down the street

[phatjames167]

I'd call AoA and get a claim with going qnd let them know the dealership is giving you the run around.

[spex]

Time to get a new dealership or call in AoA. I went through the exact same thing a few months ago, except as soon as I showed my dealership the photo they did the repair under warranty. They did not require codes.

[Rulty]

Do you go to the dealer regularly? I don't ever go but for recalls so I feel like that's why they wouldn't help me out.

I never go to the dealer. I hate them. This was the first time they saw me, they tried to give me a hard time but I played db and they fixed everything.

Edit: I had no code either but every dealership is different.

[phatjames167]

I never go to the dealer. I hate them. This was the first time they saw me, they tried to give me a hard time but I played db and they fixed everything.

Edit: I had no code either but every dealership is different.

Good for you, my dealership, or at least Brad the service manager couldn't have cared less to help me out even during the holidays.

[pkny]

OP is not the only one having a hard time changing out the cam follower now. For some reason a lot of dealerships are making excuses to not change the follower under the warranty program. This is including dealerships where it was easy to do at one point in time; ::cough:: audi of silver spring ::cough::.

But forcing a code as phil said would push them to do a check.
If not, agree to pay to "Change the Cam Follower". If you say anything else, they would just charge for a scan.

I believe if they see a hole on a car within the warranty campaign they have to change it regardless of what the service person saids. Since your car has a hole already, they would have to stop work and contact you about changing additional components to make it road worthy. At this point in time, a quick call to AOA would solve the problem since the car is already in the shop and ready to be serviced.

[phatjames167]

I know a lot of members don't agree, at least from when I was looking into Cam follower issues in the past, but this shouldn't be a warranty case, it should be a recall. Audi built a engine that causes damage to itself and won't do a recall on the cam to install the updated revision J along with replacing the follower and the HPFP piston if needed.

in past searches most members don't agree because it's so simple to replace the follower but what about those who are experiencing an issue and need work done on the cam and piston or worse. what about those who just buy the car because they like the car but don't jump on the forums and never hear about this issue?!

[allstock]

Sometimes it takes the realization that Audi is in the business of making money. A warranty is a legal matter. You're dealing with audi - not the dealers. No codes, then they have no obligation to fix anything. What incentive do they have to give free warranties to mostly second or third ownership vehicles.

[phatjames167]

Sometimes it takes the realization that Audi is in the business of making money. A warranty is a legal matter. You're dealing with audi - not the dealers. No codes, then they have no obligation to fix anything. What incentive do they have to give free warranties to mostly second or third ownership vehicles.

The dealership is an extension of Audi and should honor Audi's warranties when an owner comes in to show that Audi's engine has done damage to it's components that wern't meant to be a part that wears out over time like breaks, belts, etc....

[allstock]

The dealers are embursed for the warranty cost from AoA. AoA gives the green light, not the other way around. What drivers think audi should do is non factor. Cruel world isn't it.