Newb Looking for Advice

[Forge04]

So this is my first Audi. A 2007 B7 2.0T FWD with 90K miles on it.

Let me rattle off the list of questions:

Cam Follower: I found a letter sent to one of the previous owners about the extended warranty on the cam follower. I was just reading a thread where a guy pulled his out and saw the wear on it. His had 91K on it. I should call the dealership? Or a euro shop? Where exactly is the cam follower so I can pull it and look for myself (what am I looking for)?

Good source for OEM parts: I used to use Rockauto, have used Ebay mostly for cosmetic stuff. Any advice on reputable sources for parts like rotors, pads, timing kit?

Lastly... Extended Warranties: I have a quote from AutoPOM about a Drivetrain Plus warranty that will cover the drivetrain, plus A/C parts and some others, for $2200 (4 years or 60k miles). Does anyone have any advice on this subject?

Thank you in advance and sorry if I recreated some topics. I tried searching but that tool is somewhat hard to use.

[p0isin]

Cam follower is right beneath the fuel pump. Pull the high pressure fuel pump and you'll see the cam follower.

Ecstuning.com and europaparts.com are good for finding parts.

[Copen-cisco]

Welcome to AZ.

There is a DIY write up for the cam follower / HPFP. Search for it via google. Dealership will not fix it unless it throws a code - fyi.

[JDillon15]

So you can use search on the website, which is what I normally use, if I have a good idea of where to look. You can also use google to help search. Try this "search: Audizine.com cam follower DIY"; notice what's in the search bar. It will only look at Audizine.com for results.

In regards to the cam follower, there is a lot of advice on this already. My suggest, proceed at your own risk, would be this: Pull the cam follower, inspect it

IF there's a hole, put it back in and drive it to the dealer, tell them you want them to check the cam follower as you heard it was an issue, they will tell you that they wont check without certain codes on your ECU, agree to pay for the check if there is no wear (which you know there is) but that they should preform the extended warranty if there is damage.

If there's no hole, replace it and then replace again at next recommended interval (I think most people change at 10k miles, but double check as I'm not certain). The part is super cheap at about $35 and relatively easy to replace.

In regards to parts, there are several sites that offer these. What I usually do is figure out the part number of what I'm looking for, then google the part number and shop for lowest price (make sure its still OEM). Some websites are jhmotorsports, ecstuning, europaparts, etc. Be sure to factor shipping costs into your total.

I haven't used extended warranties so I will only give my opinion... I highly doubt you will spend that much in maintenance over the next 4 years, assuming the car is in decent mechanical condition. If it were me, I would spend that money making sure the car is in good condition, and then save the remainder to unexpected repairs. If you are even somewhat comfortable with a wrench, you can often do many of the repairs yourself... not to mention there are a ton of DIYs on this website.

I wish you the best with your new Audi,
Jonathan

[Forge04]

So you can use search on the website, which is what I normally use, if I have a good idea of where to look. You can also use google to help search. Try this "search: Audizine.com cam follower DIY"; notice what's in the search bar. It will only look at Audizine.com for results.

Excellent Googling advice! Will do.

If there's no hole, replace it and then replace again at next recommended interval (I think most people change at 10k miles, but double check as I'm not certain). The part is super cheap at about $35 and relatively easy to replace.

Every 10K huh? Jeez.

In regards to parts, there are several sites that offer these. What I usually do is figure out the part number of what I'm looking for, then google the part number and shop for lowest price (make sure its still OEM). Some websites are jhmotorsports, ecstuning, europaparts, etc. Be sure to factor shipping costs into your total.

I asked this because there are so many parts on Ebay and the interwebs. I was hoping for advice on those places that are reputable, so thank you, truly.

I haven't used extended warranties so I will only give my opinion... I highly doubt you will spend that much in maintenance over the next 4 years, assuming the car is in decent mechanical condition. If it were me, I would spend that money making sure the car is in good condition, and then save the remainder to unexpected repairs. If you are even somewhat comfortable with a wrench, you can often do many of the repairs yourself... not to mention there are a ton of DIYs on this website.

The main concern I have is the FWD, and therefore the CVT transmission. I believe all the FWDs have the CVT and they're known to implode? Plus the oil consumption issue I continue to read bits and pieces about, mostly horror stories. I plan on having my rotors turned here this week to get rid of the wobble I'm getting (I know that's a horrible solution, I'm trying to keep the wife agro to a minimum). I also plan on doing my timing belt/water pump here within the next couple of months (Any specific advice for a good kit to use and/or tips other than the DIYs?).

I obviously used JDillon's post to quote off of, which isn't to say the others didn't have good advice as well. All advice is appreciated. Please continue to give it. I'll glean any and all knowledge/wisdom I can.

Thank you.

[Dad A3]

I use these guys for OEM parts, cheaper than local dealer.
You can use them for comparison shopping, or at least to get the part# you are looking for.
http://www.audionlineparts.com/splas...?siteid=215021

Good luck with the car.
I spent some time at Ft Hood, nice area.

[Forge04]

I use these guys for OEM parts, cheaper than local dealer.
You can use them for comparison shopping, or at least to get the part# you are looking for.
http://www.audionlineparts.com/splas...?siteid=215021

Good luck with the car.
I spent some time at Ft Hood, nice area.

Thanks for the advice. Did you buy your Audi here in Texas? I found ZERO of them for sale here, at least under $8000. I had to go to either Dallas or Houston or San Antonio to find any.

But that's off topic... lol

[supple]

Welcome! For parts, I'd check europa first and rockauto, then ECS. For small things that are wear items like the Cam Follower, I just ebay and buy the INA branded ones ($17). There's other vendors like 034 and JHM for example that make their own stuff and if you're looking to upgrade they have cool options.

I agree with checking your cam follower at 10k. As you get more comfortable with it you can change that interval to whatever you feel is good. I posted in another thread about it but I just measured a cam follower brand new (this one about .079" thickness) and will check it after 5k and calculate wear rate, divide by factor of safety of 2 and call it my interval. :)

The wear really depends on your engine, maintenance, driving style, I feel most importantly is keeping oil levels topped off every 2-3k to ensure the cam follower gets lubricated.

[Audibot]

GAP is also good. http://www.genuineaudiparts.com/

I use most of the laundry list of sites up there, but ECS Tuning is very good for part lookups (getting part numbers for things you don't know what to call them), and they have a LOT of hardware. FCP Euro is also a very nice site, and usually has suspension pieces for a good deal.

[JDillon15]

Excellent Googling advice! Will do.



Every 10K huh? Jeez.



I asked this because there are so many parts on Ebay and the interwebs. I was hoping for advice on those places that are reputable, so thank you, truly.



The main concern I have is the FWD, and therefore the CVT transmission. I believe all the FWDs have the CVT and they're known to implode? Plus the oil consumption issue I continue to read bits and pieces about, mostly horror stories. I plan on having my rotors turned here this week to get rid of the wobble I'm getting (I know that's a horrible solution, I'm trying to keep the wife agro to a minimum). I also plan on doing my timing belt/water pump here within the next couple of months (Any specific advice for a good kit to use and/or tips other than the DIYs?).

I obviously used JDillon's post to quote off of, which isn't to say the others didn't have good advice as well. All advice is appreciated. Please continue to give it. I'll glean any and all knowledge/wisdom I can.

Thank you.

In regards to the cam follower, some people go longer, but I believe 10k is recommended for piece of mind. Like I said, double check that because everyone does a little different. There have been a couple threads to discuss this.

In regards to parts, everyone I listed is pretty reputable. Jake@JHM (from Jhmotorsports) is very active on this forum and is very knowledgeable resource as well.. (He'll might even chime in here in a bit). This should go without saying - be careful when getting them off eBay.

You're right, the CVT can be expensive. I will defer that question to other members, but I'm not sure many of them do have an extended warranty. If you have that money anyway, it might make more sense to put it if you do have an issue. I guess part of it is preference. The cost of these cars is such that 2200 is quite a bit to invest "just incase". Others will have different opinions.

As to the TB/WP in your future, replace the thermostat while you're in there. It's not expensive, you'll already have 90% of the stuff removed and tends to go out anyway.

[Dad A3]

Thanks for the advice. Did you buy your Audi here in Texas? I found ZERO of them for sale here, at least under $8000. I had to go to either Dallas or Houston or San Antonio to find any.

But that's off topic... lol

Bought them both in NJ.

[Forge04]

So the cam follower... is there a fix for this or it will just keep wearing out?

I have my center console top coming in as well as, as of 30 minutes ago, a cam follower from ebay, but the seller was jhmotorsports.

[Schweini]

So the cam follower... is there a fix for this or it will just keep wearing out?

I have my center console top coming in as well as, as of 30 minutes ago, a cam follower from ebay, but the seller was jhmotorsports.

For the cost of buying a new cam kit to replace the stock, its much cheaper to just replace the cam follower every now and then. You most likely won't have the car long enough to justify the alternative.

Cam followers are easy and cheap

[1killera4]

If you have a CVT and the fluid has never been changed ....DO IT. You can thank me later.

[Forge04]

Done. $227. Someday I'll get my VAG-COM and do it myself, but in order to save the car and my budget, i went with just taking it to a shop.

Will make a new thread just for my adventures. The newb questions have been answered I believe.

Which I am eternally grateful for.