2006 A6 3.2L (77k miles) headed to shop..

[A6AJ]

As with several C6 3.2l the starting of my A6 has become hesitant at a cold start. It's very similar to other posts on the forum. Battery? Plugs? Carbon build-up? Fuel filter? Injectors? It does appear to start better after turning it to "accessory" mode for 5-6 secs and then going to full engine start. If I don't do that, it acts as if it's not going to start for about 3-4 secs and then kicks on....

That was pretty much the only issue that I noticed after purchasing it used a little over a month ago. The dealer said it may be caused due to sitting on the lot for awhile and recommended me to take it for a "drive" of more than 100miles. I thought that was ridiculous but ended up taking it out for a 120miles trip to see the parents. Obviously, that didn't fix it.

Now, I've started to smell a hot/slight burning smell after driving it for awhile in the garage after I turn it off or while idling at stop lights.

It's scheduled to go in on Wednesday at 10:30am for service. Any questions that you more experienced Audi owners would advise me to ask?

I'll keep you all posted and update the post after the service. Any advice would be great, cheers.

[zzz4]

I'm curious to see what the solution is.

[Saifxnyc]

As with several C6 3.2l the starting of my A6 has become hesitant at a cold start. It's very similar to other posts on the forum. Battery? Plugs? Carbon build-up? Fuel filter? Injectors? It does appear to start better after turning it to "accessory" mode for 5-6 secs and then going to full engine start. If I don't do that, it acts as if it's not going to start for about 3-4 secs and then kicks on....

That was pretty much the only issue that I noticed after purchasing it used a little over a month ago. The dealer said it may be caused due to sitting on the lot for awhile and recommended me to take it for a "drive" of more than 100miles. I thought that was ridiculous but ended up taking it out for a 120miles trip to see the parents. Obviously, that didn't fix it.

Now, I've started to smell a hot/slight burning smell after driving it for awhile in the garage after I turn it off or while idling at stop lights.

It's scheduled to go in on Wednesday at 10:30am for service. Any questions that you more experienced Audi owners would advise me to ask?

I'll keep you all posted and update the post after the service. Any advice would be great, cheers.

I had the issues you describe. I did a carbon cleaning and replaced the fuel filter. It starts a bit better. I also ran a can of sea foam in it after the carbon cleaning the get rid of any remaining gunk in the car. Recently just replaced the battery. Because car would attempt at starting but would barely make it. Hopefully it is something common and easy.


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[A6AJ]

Thanks for the replies...I'll let you know what happens.

[c@@kieMonsta]

My first recommendation is to start with the fuel filter. $30 dollar part that takes no more than 15 minutes to replace is a no-brainer. I had exactly what you described on both my B7 and my previous C6. Replaced the filter, and starting problems went away.

[A6AJ]

Thanks for the reply Monsta.

Now for some bad news....I went out this am and found a small amount of oil underneath the engine compartment after pulling out of the driveway. I'm def thinking the burning smell is that of oil.

Glad it's headed in tomorrow.

[FL C6 Avant]

Now, I've started to smell a hot/slight burning smell after driving it for awhile in the garage after I turn it off or while idling at stop lights.

It's scheduled to go in on Wednesday at 10:30am for service. Any questions that you more experienced Audi owners would advise me to ask?

I'll keep you all posted and update the post after the service. Any advice would be great, cheers.

This sounds like oil leak, start with the valve cover gaskets.

[A6AJ]

Sounds great, will do just that.

[c@@kieMonsta]

This sounds like oil leak, start with the valve cover gaskets.

That and next would be timing chain covers. Pull the splash guard off and see if the oil leak is at the front or the rear of the engine.

[A6AJ]

Stealership says Valve Cover Gaskets and quoted $880 for parts and labor. I just left the Indie shop in town and am awaiting a quote from them. I'll update when I get that.

It doesn't matter much but the service guy at the indie shop was not a d-bag like the dealership. He was genuinely nice and even asked if they checked the timing chain covers, which they didn't. He's going to.

I'll keep you guys posted.


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[A6AJ]

Indie shop quoted $450 for the parts and labor on the gaskets. Wow, what a difference. I confirmed they'd be using all OEM parts too.


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[FormulaElement]

They are really easy to do and you can do it for under $200 yourself. $450 isn't bad though. Audi dealerships are really expensive unless you have a good relationship with the service advisor/manager.

[A6AJ]

I need to learn more around my car. Never been much of a grease monkey but I guess better late than never.

The Indie guy is gonna actually do em for $400. It goes in next Tuesday. He was flabbergasted that the Audi dealer in town was actually charging that much.

Thanks for all of the replies and comments.


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[mixtery]

Valve cover gaskets are one of the easier things to do on the 3.2. They are like $20 each.
But a lot of times it's the Timing chain covers that leak on the exhaust. Just went through this. It's a bit more involved to do but not expensive.
The covers use a sealant and it dries out. Believe there was a tsb about it.

I need to learn more around my car. Never been much of a grease monkey but I guess better late than never.

The Indie guy is gonna actually do em for $400. It goes in next Tuesday. He was flabbergasted that the Audi dealer in town was actually charging that much.

Thanks for all of the replies and comments.


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[SinCityA6]

The valve covers on our cars are plastic. Audi replaced my valve covers because I took it in 3 times for leaks previously that they claimed to have repaired. On the 4th visit, they chose to replace both valave covers becasue they believed that the covers warped causing a bad seal. That ewas approx. 8 months ago and Low and behold I developed another oil leak. Back to the stealership I go.

[FormulaElement]

The valve covers on our cars are plastic. Audi replaced my valve covers because I took it in 3 times for leaks previously that they claimed to have repaired. On the 4th visit, they chose to replace both valave covers becasue they believed that the covers warped causing a bad seal. That ewas approx. 8 months ago and Low and behold I developed another oil leak. Back to the stealership I go.

Sorry to hear. When i did my valve covers i put RTV on them along with new gaskets to make sure they didn't leak.

[A6AJ]

Definitely not good SinCity. I hope they get that figured out.

Formula- RTV a sealant?


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[FL C6 Avant]

Definitely not good SinCity. I hope they get that figured out.

Formula- RTV a sealant?


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RTV= Room Temperature Vulcanising
it is silicon rubber that goes on as a paste and somewhat hardens. it can fill in voids, so yes a sealant.
But don't go crazy with it....

[A6AJ]

Gotcha. Thanks.


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