Shops "Recommended" Service - $3,798.00 Necessary???

[JKCutler3]

Had a check engine light come on and was by an advanced auto so I had them check it out. Said it was an Evap Leak. Took it to the shop for scheduled oil change and alignment and asked them to check it out. They said it was also throwing a thermostat and cooling system code. They gave me a laundry list of items to have checked out and I'm just wondering your take on the situation.

2005 B6 A4 S-Line
93,200 Miles

Timing Belt/Water Pump Remove and Replace (OEM) $1,056 ($426 Parts) Seems on point

Cooling System Expansion Tank Replace (Small Crack) $104 ($41.50 Parts)

Cooling Flange Leaking Rear Cylinder Head $279 ($38.40 Parts) Had this done by them in November for $342 after it blew open and I was stuck on the highway.

Thermostat Replace (OEM) $473 ($158 Parts)

Upper Control Arm Bushings (All 4) $439 ($155 Parts)

Engine Mounts Front Right & Left $634 ($300 Parts)

Replace Both Front CV Axles (Open Boots) $550 ($288 Parts)

Additional Recommended Replacements - Not Quoted
Original Spark Plugs Replaced
Valve Cover Gasket - Small Leak
Possible Cam Chain Tensioner Leaking
Headlight Sprayers Cracked - Cap Off
Transmission Leak - Out Put Seal Rear & "Elat Plug"
Front Nose Mount Cracked

Personally, I feel the shop is taking me for a ride. I understand some of these items are serious and he did not show them me first hand but I just dont know if I trust them. He didn't remember doing the coolant flange in November and gave some excuse about the thermostat being bad and throwing a code for the coolant sensor and flange. I just had it at the dealer (Audi of Denver) three weeks ago to replace the A/C Compressor ($1,450) and they mentioned the timing belt but didn't mention anything else above.

What do you guys think my priorities should be in getting her tip top? Additionally, I can do some maintenance (replaced idler and belt tensioner & alternator myself) just wondering what jobs I could take on myself.

Also, the shop is a high end dealership, so I'm wondering if they're just trying to get me to trade in for something newer. http://automotive-imports.com

[19jdog]

Holy crap!! You would save a lot of money if you learned how to tool!!

[jesse500]

That Car is beautiful. Color, USP, I love it!!!!!!! I want.

Are you mechanically inclined? As all of that, is fairly easy and there are great DIY's on this site.

--T-Belt & water pump: You should do tensioner too IMO. Get Gates racing T-belt, and metal impeller water pump.
--Coolant reservoir tank is literally a 3 minute job..... legit 3 minutes. 1 phillips screw, 2 pressure clamp and 1 connector. Get an updated blue bottle. Otherwise I can sell you a brand new White aftermarket coolant bottle.
--Coolant flange: A pain in the ass to do. I believe USP/034 or someone was considering a metal one. Could look into that.
--Thermostat is also super easy. Remove intake mani & alternator to make life easy. Why do you need a Tstat? No heat in cabin? doesn't heat up, overheats?
--Dont do the bushings, replace whole arm. you can get a full front end rebuild kit (good stuff) for like $350 in parts. Every arm, with S4 steering arms
--You can get RS4 mounts from ECS for like $60 each (better than oem) or Poly ones from 034 for like $100 or so each (forget exact price sorry), somewhat of a pain to do
--CV's are easy to replace, but a little on the expensive, Go Raxles. aftermarkets don't have a good track record. $2-300 each IIRC.

Spend $100 and replace all 4 coils & all 4 plugs. BKR7E (NGK) and OEM red top coils. About $20 per coil/plug X 4 cyl.
Get Felpro valve cover gasket, very easy to do, about $25.
Cam guide O-rings are a known thing, Sorry not familiar with this task
Cap off sprayer? meaning your missing a blue cap on your front bumper? My headlight sprayers have never worked on all 4 of my B6's lol
Stick or Auto trans?
Talking snub mount? Get a Poly one from 034, or whoever. Like $30, also easy job.

[jesse500]

Holy crap!! You would save a lot of money if you learned how to tool!!

if you did all the work yourself, and sourced all your parts. Could probably do EVERYTHING for like $1200-$1500, while doing a couple small things along the way.

[johnwiz]

I've done almost all of that same work on my USP with the exception of the control arms (car is in the air now for clutch and motor mounts). All of that is doable if you have some mechanical ability. If they did the coolant flange in November and it's leaking again.. I'm willing to bet they didn't use an Audi Flange, had the same thing happen to me with an OEM one. Agree you can save thousands doing it yourself.

Also, when you do the thermostat you should also do the J-plug.

[eljay]

Beautiful car you have there!
As mentioned, that is a typical B6 list of to-dos.

[JKCutler3]

Great advice guys. Thanks Jesse500. I think they were saying Thermostat would be preventative. No issues with my temp gauge or heat since they worked on it in Nov. I'm mechanically inclined, my biggest issue is that I live in downtown and park overnight in a garage. I have tools, just need a space.

Ill probably do the reservoir, thermostat, cv's, coils and gasket myself. The DIYs on the site have been a big help so far. My first Audi after building acura's and honda's and I'm trying to stay ahead on maintenance. I've had it a year in December.

[jesse500]

Great advice guys. Thanks Jesse500. I think they were saying Thermostat would be preventative. No issues with my temp gauge or heat since they worked on it in Nov. I'm mechanically inclined, my biggest issue is that I live in downtown and park overnight in a garage. I have tools, just need a space.

Ill probably do the reservoir, thermostat, cv's, coils and gasket myself. The DIYs on the site have been a big help so far. My first Audi after building acura's and honda's and I'm trying to stay ahead on maintenance. I've had it a year in December.

Your car is super rare, probably <40 in north america (if its blue). so please, get it in tip top!!

Your car has 90K. No need to do a thermostat for preventative. If your removing intake mani & valve cover, might as well do throttle body & intake mani gaskets (Felpro). Like $25 for the pair.

Check out Rock Auto. Probably will have alot of good prices for you.

[JKCutler3]

Your car is super rare, probably <40 in north america (if its blue). so please, get it in tip top!!

Blue as blue gets. I keep seeing the same trim on s4's, but I haven't seen any a4's with my trim (s-line). I'm just wondering what the difference is, or if they just changed the a4 s-line to the s4 later in the year.

[jesse500]

Blue as blue gets. I keep seeing the same trim on s4's, but I haven't seen any a4's with my trim (s-line). I'm just wondering what the difference is, or if they just changed the a4 s-line to the s4 later in the year.

S4 only shares the door blade style/shape. Front bumper, rear bumper, wheels, steering wheel badge (05 only), interior trim (fish scale silver commonly) are what seperate an A4 Ultrasport (people reffer to S-Line). Appearance wise anyways.

[diagnosticator]

I do not agree with the advice to install polyurethane or RS4 engine mounts. Especially if you have a auto tiptronic transmission. Polyurethane mounts, or the RS4 mounts, are a lot less compliant, and will transmit a lot of NVH into the cabin that the OE mounts are specifically designed to isolate and minimize as much as possible. Increased NVH transmission into the cabin will make the car feel and sound like a rolling wreck. RS4 engine mounts are designed for a much heavier V8 engine. Used for the 1.8T, the mounts will be to stiff and non compliant.

The correct spark plug is an NGK BKR6EIX do not regap the plugs use the factory set gap. The BKR7EIX is one step colder hear range and not needed unless running a tuned ECU with a lot more boost compared to stock.

A new coolant expansion tank is less than $30 from Audi. Replacing it might take 15 min if you DIY.

Overall, those repair cost quotes seem really excessive. Both the parts prices and the labor charges are over priced ~100 %, IMO

At $90/hr labor, the timing belt R&R labor time is 7 hours. That is at about twice as long as the job should take in a properly equipped shop done by a journeyman technician.

The T-stat is quoted at 3.5 hours. at least twice the real time.

Upper control arm bushings, is just over 3 hours, again seems like about twice the time actual.

I recommend getting a couple of other quotes from Audi independent shops.

[Arnie91]

I was told something similar. Do yourself a favour and learn how to do the work on ur car. You will know the engine parts inside out. I was quoted something very similar, but Ive just done all of the work in 1 1/2 months spending only a few hours a week

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...eeded-on-A4-bB

- - - Updated - - -

I was told something similar. Do yourself a favour and learn how to do the work on ur car. You will know the engine parts inside out. I was quoted something very similar, but Ive just done all of the work in 1 1/2 months spending only a few hours a week

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...eeded-on-A4-bB

[87supraman]

Post in the Rocky Mountain Regional. Bet you'll have a handful of enthusiasts who would be willing to help out over a weekend for the price of pizza and beer.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[imnuts]

If the rear coolant flange was replaced a few months ago, it should be under warranty and be eligible for free replacement, unless they didn't actually change it and just said they did.

[JKCutler3]

I like your advice on the RS mounts. Could be too stiff for the 1.8. I agree that the hours are off. I emailed my service rep at the dealership to get his take. I want to ask this shop that supposedly did the coolant flange to pay to have it done at Audi.

Arnie91, you went for it man. Good for you. I agree with you that getting used to assembling and disassembling is the biggest challenge. I'm going to start putting together a plan to knock this stuff out on my own.

Is there anything on this list that is urgent? Would leave me stranded if I don't get it done soon? They said timing belt was starting to show cracks on the outside. Motor mounts and bushings? Figure the CV boots would start knocking first?

[redline380]

Timing Belt/Water Pump Remove and Replace (OEM) $1,056 ($426 Parts) Seems on point

You're right, this does seem on point. The only thing about the quote that does. That labor should include the following labor as well:

Cooling System Expansion Tank Replace
Cooling Flange Leaking Rear Cylinder Head
Cooling Flange Leaking Rear Cylinder Head

I can't believe they want $230 to replace the flange. I could almost see that if you were not getting a tbelt done because it takes time to drain coolant and refill, but that should be included in the tbelt service. Without draining coolant, it is a 30 minute job at most.

I would find a different place. They are being rather dishonest because while none of those services are priced astronomical on their own, much of the work involved with one of them is involved with all of them. It seems they want to charge you for doing the same work 4x over.

[jesse500]

I like your advice on the RS mounts. Could be too stiff for the 1.8. I agree that the hours are off. I emailed my service rep at the dealership to get his take. I want to ask this shop that supposedly did the coolant flange to pay to have it done at Audi.

Arnie91, you went for it man. Good for you. I agree with you that getting used to assembling and disassembling is the biggest challenge. I'm going to start putting together a plan to knock this stuff out on my own.

Is there anything on this list that is urgent? Would leave me stranded if I don't get it done soon? They said timing belt was starting to show cracks on the outside. Motor mounts and bushings? Figure the CV boots would start knocking first?

CV's, especially at 92K, shouldn't really need replacing. you can jack up car, and see if it has lots of play. you should hear them "clicking" if they are in bad shape.
Alot of people switch to Poly mounts, depends what your willing to sacrifice. As the OEM filled do fail enough, and motor can move around.
BKR6EIX is definetly the plug to go if your 100% stock, but Some Red tops, proper plug gap (.032-.040) will help. you should get that car tuned though!

dignosticator is the man though, what he said is bang on.

[JKCutler3]

You're right, this does seem on point. The only thing about the quote that does. That labor should include the following labor as well:

Cooling System Expansion Tank Replace
Cooling Flange Leaking Rear Cylinder Head
Cooling Flange Leaking Rear Cylinder Head

I can't believe they want $230 to replace the flange. I could almost see that if you were not getting a tbelt done because it takes time to drain coolant and refill, but that should be included in the tbelt service. Without draining coolant, it is a 30 minute job at most.

I would find a different place. They are being rather dishonest because while none of those services are priced astronomical on their own, much of the work involved with one of them is involved with all of them. It seems they want to charge you for doing the same work 4x over.

I agree with you a lot of the work does crossover. When I had the dealer replace the A/C pump I asked him how much they could discount the belt to do it at the same time and he went from $1,100 to $950. Not enough of a discount to make me empty my pockets.

Hahaha getting this car tuned is on my list of things to do. Right now it just so happens to be at the bottom lol

[WB650]

I'm sure we have a lot of Denver members. Post in local section saying you need space to wrench.

[2fast4u66]

Ide suggest going to bluewater performance if you want a second opinion.

I do most of my wrenching but when I lack time these are my go to guys.

Top shop in Denver for these cars.

[JKCutler3]

Ide suggest going to bluewater performance if you want a second opinion.

I do most of my wrenching but when I lack time these are my go to guys.

Top shop in Denver for these cars.

Thanks I'll give them a shout!