My Worst Nightmare Has Come

[bshantz]

2006 Audi S4 4.2 V8
140,000 km

Well guys, it happened. Engine still runs "smooth" but I got the bad news today. Cylinder 2 and cylinder 4 have scary low compression. Cylinder 2 has misfires and a compression of 85psi, while cylinder 4 is worse at 50psi. I'm just so disappointed as I love my car, but it's now time to accept that this is a dying engine and now it's time to get rid of it and try to recoup the obvious money lost.

Had been consuming a large amount of oil for the past 3 months, and misfires started happening. Brought it into my mechanic and he unfortunately told me what I didn't want to hear. The cost of an overhaul, the cost of having a new engine put in, and my obvious losses to my initial investment.
*FYI, timing chain work was done less than 12 months ago, with a bill of over $9,000.00.

It's a real shame as I think the 4.2 S4's are the sexiest cars out there, sadly, such a bad taste has been left in my mouth. It's just a matter of financial damage control at this point.
What were some of your guys options when dealing with this? Engine overhaul? Is it worth putting a new engine in, or am I better off dumping it to auction?

Pray for me lol

Sincerely,
Former A4 and S4 lover

[VinnysS4]

are you mechanically inclined?

[0396]

Sorry to hear

[bshantz]

are you mechanically inclined?

To a certain degree, I do all my own work, and generally find comfort in working from DIYs, but there's not much I can do, or is there?

[IslandHydro]

Have you scoped it to see if its cylinder walls / rings or perhaps valve seals? If the latter, it might not be all that bad?

[2004B6S4]

To a certain degree, I do all my own work, and generally find comfort in working from DIYs, but there's not much I can do, or is there?

I just pulled my engine, which I was kind of scared to do as it's my first time ever pulling any engine, but I did the whole job by myself it was actually a lot easier than I expected by following Joeys guide. Of course, the hard part will be putting it back together but I documented everything well and I'm not worried about that anymore like I was beforehand. It's a long process but you just go one step at a time and be sure not to skip anything, and eventually you have it out. It's not rocket science. If you can replace the starter or the valve cover gaskets, you can pull the engine. The only tool you need that most diy'ers probably wouldn't already have is a hoist, and you can get one one at harbor freight for $300 or less (be sure to find one of their 20% off coupons for it, too). For the cost of that and a used motor you could diy the engine replacement for less than you spent to do the timing.

[VinnysS4]

I've pulled many motors in the past and it's not very bad at all..just overwhelming the first time or two. If you take your time and make sure to follow each step, torque everything to spec with cleaned threads and some threadlocker where needed, you're good. You can do a leak down test to see where the compression is being lost, scope the cylinders, see if the block is scored from the rings. If it's toast, a used engine would be the way to go, just do the timing on the new engine before you put it in and you're good to go!

[bshantz]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the sentiment and information. I've never done anything like an engine pull and I don't know with the S4's limited cargo space if I would be comfortable doing myself. However, that being said it's basically just a pile of metal and aluminium at this point and more so just going to sit there in the time being. I think I'll have a look at some DIY projects. I didn't get the cylinders scoped as it was consuming about a litre of oil every week. With such low compression numbers and obvious dirtying of the spark plugs in the those cylinders, my assumption as well as the mechanics were that it was toast. Should I be getting a second opinion? He is very knowledgable about German cars, in particular Audi's. He actually just put in a brand new 4.2 in his clients B6 a couple weeks ago, so I am safe to assume his judgment is solid. If there isn't any scoring, anyone have any idea why it would be consuming so rapidly? and the compressions being so low?

[Guitarmageddon]

Time to trade that bad boy into a dealer and put the word out here/your local forum not to touch it.

[VinnysS4]

Time to trade that bad boy into a dealer and put the word out here/your local forum not to touch it.

actually not a bad idea lol.

If there isnt cylinder scoring, i would look for either a leak or leaking valve seals. Rings could be sticking in the piston and allowing oil to slip by into the combustion chamber. Either way, unless its valve seals, the engine will probably have to come out. have you had a leak down test to pin point where the compression is going?

[Nollywood]

A belt-driven, 077-series V8 40V swap will make a nice B6 S4 an excellent daily.

[bigoltater]

Time to trade that bad boy into a dealer and put the word out here/your local forum not to touch it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

[bshantz]

Okay just an update here guys. Although my initial impression from my mechanic was all hell was breaking loose, after a second opinion from some more experience guys, things aren't as doom and gloom.

MAF sensor was completely shot, intake flap was having issues, 6 out of 8 coil packs were on their way out, PCV valve was shot. So after a few things were changed out, all codes were gone, except for an evap code. No mis fires, no struggles. I had compression tests done, this time with a leak down test and bore scope. Cylinders are not scored, my compression was an impressive 145psi on all cylinders, and leak down showed 0% on 4 cylinders and 10% on 2 cylinders. So the engine is "healthy". I'm still dealing with an oil consumption issue, we've been doing some experimenting with different oils. Right now they have me running Fuchs 10w60 full synthetic race oil to help mitigate the oil consumption. Sadly, I'm still consuming but not as much as I once was.

These guys have been amazing with dealing with my car, have done a ton of their own research, but I think they are sort of pulling their hair out trying to figure out why it's consuming so much. They believe a couple of pistons are 'sticking' and have been using solvents to try to break up as much carbon deposits and gunk as possible. I'm not sure what else I can suggest, there are no gasket leaks, so it's definitely burning it. Oil catch can maybe? Or would it be the piston and rings?

[JUICE A6]

After reading your list of things you've done you are a stupid dumbass for spending $9,000 to get something done to your engine seriously!!!

Sent from my LGMS395 using Tapatalk

[bshantz]

After reading your list of things you've done you are a stupid dumbass for spending $9,000 to get something done to your engine seriously!!!

Sent from my LGMS395 using Tapatalk

Not sure what you mean? But that engine work was done before I purchased the car from the previous owner.

[Crispy Waffle]

After reading your list of things you've done you are a stupid dumbass for spending $9,000 to get something done to your engine seriously!!!

Sent from my LGMS395 using Tapatalk

That's just a little aggressive.

OP, glad that you seem to have gotten your car sorted out. Looks like things are looking up.

[RedS4avant]

Happy to hear you found a better shop to help you along. Your first post sounded pretty grim

[VinnysS4]

I thought you just had the compression checked and it was super low ( first post)...did the other shop not do it right or did you get it fixed?

[Brettannica]

After reading your list of things you've done you are a stupid dumbass for spending $9,000 to get something done to your engine seriously!!!

Sent from my LGMS395 using Tapatalk

Tone it down a bit eh?

Lastly, if someone wants to drop $9k on their car, kudos to them. It’s their ride.

[Terry.Reese]

Good to hear you got this issue resolved. I had a leaky valve gasket i replaced recently. Had 4 stripped bolts. 1 was the one in the back lower half of passenger side. No more burning smell. While they were out i sand blasted them and painted them. Hope you get the oil issue fixed.

[bshantz]

Thanks guys, yeah original compression tests showed cylinders #2 and #4 really low. I am partial to believe my usual mechanic just didn't have the proper experience beyond a certain capability. Found a shop, of much older more experienced guys, who right away told me not to worry about yanking the block. Not too sure what they did to get the numbers back up again, but I'm more than elated that the outcome is much more positive.

They have me running a 10w60 full synthetic race oil right now and monitoring oil consumption. I'm at 250-300km per litre of oil. There is no visible oil leaks off the side of the engine. So oil burning is the most likely culprit of the consumption.
It's a puzzling issue, because everything else is running as it should.

I'll update once I bring my car in again and they move on to the next step of diagnosing.
Also, my costs are in Canadian dollars too btw.

[4point2]

I'd be willing to bet money on failing valve stem seals being part of the problem. I've a similar situation with good compression all around and a consistent burning of oil. prob about 1 litre to 700 kms if I drive like I stole it in S mode and constantly down shifting & engine braking, more like a litre to 2000kms if only in sedate D. Haven't figured mine out yet. will be interesting to see what yours ends up being.

Oh and don't feed the trolls...

[S4bro]

Glad to hear things are progressing well for you. My previous B7 S4 was burning 2 quarts of oil every 500km... And if the mechanic isn't knowledgeable they just give you the run around since they aren't able to figure it out. Ended up selling it, but trying to get into another one, pending leak down and compression test.

If you don't mind could you tell me what shop you are using for the diagnosis? I am in Calgary as well, and it's always good to know an honest shop

Best of luck. Hopefully you don't have to pull the engine.

[kevinye77137]

Dam I feel more relieved not being the only person that burns shit load of oil. Any updates bshantz? Im just worried if im able to pass smog with gutted downpipes and high oil consumption in California

[bshantz]

Sorry guys, no updates just yet. Car has been in the shop for a week and haven't heard anything yet. I'm hoping it's just stuck pistons or valve seals as I was getting solid compression and a very tight leak down.
I'll be seeing it this afternoon and will update those who are curious.

S4bro, right now I have it at Bushmasters, my previous mechanic was Dr. Dub, but I don't really want to say much at this point until I hear what the guys at Bushmasters have to say.
If they are just giving me the run around, believe me there will be choice words for them as my previous mechanic told me the block was no good. From the sounds of it and from the work they have put in,
I'm feeling pretty confident. But only time will tell once I get it back.

[canadianS4]

If you don't mind could you tell me what shop you are using for the diagnosis? I am in Calgary as well, and it's always good to know an honest shop

Best of luck. Hopefully you don't have to pull the engine.

+1 - Calgary owner here as well, have been using Tunedub since i bought my 07 S4 less than a year ago. Was recommended to them by a buddy who owned an RS4 and extremely particular about his cars. Haven't had any major work done there (Knock on wood) but George the owner is quite the Audi/VW enthusiast and I highly recommend checking his shop out.

[S4bro]

Sorry guys, no updates just yet. Car has been in the shop for a week and haven't heard anything yet. I'm hoping it's just stuck pistons or valve seals as I was getting solid compression and a very tight leak down.
I'll be seeing it this afternoon and will update those who are curious.

S4bro, right now I have it at Bushmasters, my previous mechanic was Dr. Dub, but I don't really want to say much at this point until I hear what the guys at Bushmasters have to say.
If they are just giving me the run around, believe me there will be choice words for them as my previous mechanic told me the block was no good. From the sounds of it and from the work they have put in,
I'm feeling pretty confident. But only time will tell once I get it back.

Thanks for the info. Hopefully there is good news to be heard once they are done with the diagnosis.

[4point2]

Any update?