Need Opinions on my engine...Has it been serviced???

[VinnysS4]

Ok i started this thread to ask for opinions on my engine. I was under the car doing a visual inspection on the exhaust. I am going to be gutting my pre cats (piggies) and before i get to it, i wanted to address what sounded like an exhaust leak. Upon inspection of the bottom of the engine/transmission, I noticed that the bottom of the Heads are EXTREMELY clean. The engine had a slight valve cover leak when i bought the car(along with a massive oil leak from the valley pan and the oil filter to block housing), and while doing the valve covers, i noticed that one(possibly both) of the gaskets had been previously done. So there is some dirt, oil and what not covering various engine parts. I will be cleaning the engine when i have some time. With all the old grime and stuff on the engine, the heads are sure clean for a 10 year old, 100k mile car. I then noticed that the sub frame bolts have been taken out before...along with the timing chain cover bolts. It looks like the gasket is newer and the bolts seem to have been touched at some point. (When i had the valve covers off, the chains were discolored and did not appear to be new) I bought the car with pretty much zero history except for it having the rear bumper and one of the mufflers being changed in the past due to a fender bender. Very few things show up on the car fax other then having the electrical system checked many times(has new alternator as of 2013). I recorded a video while laying on the ground under the car. It is horrible quality and its dark so its hard to see what i'm trying to point out, but can someone take a look and tell me if the bottom of the heads stand out as being pretty clean. I'm hoping that the timing service has been done and that the heads are newer(so i don't have to spend the money on timing components). I'm getting ready to order the timing components as preventative maintenance along with some other stuff, but if it has been done, i don't want to just throw the money away... I will try to record a better video soon. Its just odd how clean the heads are...opinions??

https://youtu.be/yQkKEG_cMns

[new2s5]

Can you contact the PO? Check the VIN with a dealer, see if there is any maint. records. Where did you buy this?

[jakeoboy67]

that is really clean for 96k miles,

I would investigate about past service records or simply asking the PO about it

[VinnysS4]

Thank you for not telling me im crazy! lol. I bought the car from an small dealer who buys his cars from auction. The car came from california and has never been titled here in oregon except by me. I have tried to contact some of the Audi dealers but they are usually pretty tight lipped about service records unless you are the person who had the car serviced. My RS6 had the transmission gone through and rebuilt, i tracked the shop down that did the work and they shed a little light on it, but if the PO had the service done at an indy or of the shop it was done at (assuming it was a shop and not a DIY) i will never figure that out unless i call a shop and they remember my car. I was just astonished at how clean it is for the age. If the service has been done, that saves me like $2000. I'm sure the only way to know for sure is to pull the engine and examine it, which i do not want to do if i don't have to....and if the engine is coming out, im doing the service anyways...but from my visual inspection, it appears to have been atleast taken apart at one time. Possible new heads? I will try to contact the previous owner form the old registration...but that may prove to be fruitless


Carfax:
11/19/2015 93,021
Self Reported
DIY
Drain & Refill Engine Oil
Edit
Delete
08/21/2015 91,513 Downtown Audi
Maintenance inspection completed
07/15/2015 91,039 Downtown Audi
Maintenance inspection completed
Battery replaced
06/30/2015 90,705 Downtown Audi
Exterior lights checked
06/09/2015 90,031 California
Passed safety inspection
Passed emissions inspection
04/07/2015 88,409 Pep Boys
Tire repaired
11/27/2013 70,338 Downtown Audi
Maintenance inspection completed
Battery replaced
11/13/2013 69,783 Downtown Audi
Electrical system checked
Coolant reservoir replaced
CV boot(s) replaced
08/08/2013 65,445 California
Passed emissions inspection
08/23/2011 51,200 California
Passed emissions inspection
02/06/2007 Lithia Lincoln Mercury Audi Isuzu & Suzuki
Vehicle serviced
05/15/2006 Lithia Lincoln Mercury Audi Isuzu & Suzuki
Vehicle serviced

[SlickFix]

At 1:40 in your video you can see what looks to be the number 19. To me, this indicates that someone wrote on the block near where bolt #19 is. When doing the timing chain guides job, you have to note the location of the various 23 bolts because they are all of different sizes. So, if I were a betting man I'd say that yes, they have probably already performed the timing job. Or at the very least, the timing covers were removed for some reason.

That being said, you really shouldn't assume that this is the case without definite proof, like a maintenance record of some kind.

Do you get any chain rattle, either cold or warm, upon engine start?

[VinnysS4]

At 1:40 in your video you can see what looks to be the number 19. To me, this indicates that someone wrote on the block near where bolt #19 is. When doing the timing chain guides job, you have to note the location of the various 23 bolts because they are all of different sizes. So, if I were a betting man I'd say that yes, they have probably already performed the timing job. Or at the very least, the timing covers were removed for some reason.

That being said, you really shouldn't assume that this is the case without definite proof, like a maintenance record of some kind.

Do you get any chain rattle, either cold or warm, upon engine start?

Absolutely. i agree 100% . i see no other explanation for the numbers that are written on the bellhousing unless they are a date that it was taken apart (unlikely) I wont use this as a 100%--"its been done" but i would say that pulling the engine and seeing if it was done is probably money wasted. I'm just going to enjoy the car and when the timing fails i will pull it and do it then. Thanks for all the input. I'm hoping that if i post enough pictures of the car, that the original owner was an enthusiast and might come forward with some information for me. Probably not going to happen, but i can wish right? lol

Chain rattle... i heave a little bit of rattle upon initial start-up but that could be the check valves and not the chain. I have recorded a cold start to capture the rattle if you would like to see it. I have only heard warm rattle once or twice(not sure it was chain rattle tho) car runs good otherwise