East coast rebuild shop/ Mechanics? Motor shot

[AndyB]

What's up AZ.. First off I'm on Connecticut. I have a 2005 s4 with only 78k on it. I had it towed to Audi of Wallingford for inspection as I heard a clanking noise in the back of the motor but car still ran perfectly. Got a code for a misfire. So I had them check it out first they tell me the timing is good and i just need cool packs/plugs so I said go ahead.. They call back today and say that my car did not pass the compression test one of the cylinders is bad and that i need a new motor..$15,000. I really don't wanna let this car go as I wanted one since a kid, put good amount of money in this thing. So my question is: do any of you know of any shops on the east coast that rebuild these motors at a fair price? I also thought of the option of a used motor but there doesn't seem to be much available on the net. Any help is appreciate

[Audibot]

Are they refunding you the coil packs and plugs, at the very least?

You may want to post in the Regional Forum and see what you got. I've heard of a couple shops in North Jersey that are decent, but their names are eluding me right now...

[AndyB]

Sadly they are not refunding me.. They say it's part of the diagnosis. It is what it is, miss the car already but thanks man will post in the regionals

[arrogntbastrd06]

http://www.excelerateperformance.com/

http://www.awe-tuning.com/?___SID=U

http://redlinespeedworx.com/

[jakeoboy67]

can't vouch for redline speedworx(I live like 1500 miles away lol) , but just look at their shop pictures on the website/facebook page.
if this doesn't speak to you, I don't know what will
dream shop for me

[BCsniper]

^^^^^
Just because a place has nice floors, pretty pictures, and works on high end cars does not actually mean they are the best choice. There are a number or stories online of bad work they have done. And while he doesn't agree with me they have blown 2 motors in a row in DSgray's S4. Now they are taking a year to do rebuild and install the RS motor. Maybe it's just bad luck but I don't find that to be a glowing recommendation.

[jakeoboy67]

^^^^^
Just because a place has nice floors, pretty pictures, and works on high end cars does not actually mean they are the best choice. There are a number or stories online of bad work they have done. And while he doesn't agree with me they have blown 2 motors in a row in DSgray's S4. Now they are taking a year to do rebuild and install the RS motor. Maybe it's just bad luck but I don't find that to be a glowing recommendation.

yikes, I didn't hear about that

forgot to say : I just assumed that their work was as good as the shop's appearance.

[rgtorque]

just finished with my 04 s4 avant. all chains, mounts, accessories, etc. i would be happy to do the same on your vehicle. give me shout.

[AndyB]

@rhtorque, problem is I took it in for chain inspection, and they did a compression test and stated the motor is bad. They changed the reason 3 times on me.. I did not get any specifics until tomorrow when I pick it up. This just stumbles me because I have 78k. Always allowed warmup every start and I have babied the thing. It was running perfect like the grape ape before this day when I took it in, I even pop started the thing recently which led me to beleive it had good compression. I'm thinking of getting a second opinion.. Will Deff give you a shout if I only need chain service. Thanks for all the input guys I appreciate it.

[ak-s4]

There is some talk of shops doing rebuilds on this motor, but nobody has done any amount of volume and I've seen little to no proof of any of these rebuilds working out. As for sleeving, that is still somewhat similar, and although there is a tad more positive evidence on those, JHM still keeps those cars on a short leash. Either way, the cost of these two options makes NO SENSE. You could buy an entire running car for the same price as the rebuild, or two cars for the price of the JHM sleeving process.

With regard to putting in a used motor, Shokan is the place I personally go to get Audi parts, maybe give them a ring? But even then, but the time you buy the motor and have some random shop install it, you might as well just buy another working car and sell yours for a few thousand.

Saturday mechanics who can do engine swaps in their garage are really the only folks who are going to be able to make this all work from a cost analysis perspective. Why spend $10k-$15k on the motor swap or rebuild? Now you have a car that you're $20k-$25k into but is still only worth $10k on a good day!

If you've got money to burn, just go the full built-motor and supercharger for ~$30k, or skip straight to an R8. Like many, I'm a fan of the V8, but the platform really is turning out to be a dead-end right now unless you're just 100% enthusiast...

[MIRKA_S4]

$15k? Lucky you i got quoted 18k from Hoffman East Hartford for a new motor lol. Best shop id recommend is Excelerate http://www.excelerateperformance.com/ Those buys build some crazy cars. Now me, my car has 86,000 on her and badly scored cylinder walls. Instead i bought a complete 2.7t motor going to go that route and junk or try to sell the 4.2. Would not recommend Hoffman East Hartford though. Very unknowledgable about these cars and just wanted me out the door. Good luck man

[demonmk2]

I would definitely get a second opinion there are other things to look at first before getting a rebuilt or used engine.
the shop that diagnosed it, are they Audi specialist?

[AndyB]

Thanks a lot for all the info guys.. I'm familiar with excelerate, the shop that diagnosed it was the dealer but has a younger service crowd.. They state the car runs fine and I can drive it home tomorrow ( not sure if I actually want to) but the motor will eventually go. The noise in the rear of the motor isn't noticeable unless your listening for it. I also don't have a CEL. I was thinking maybe trading this thing in as is to a private dealer who has a b8 on their floor that I can jump in. That's if she has any trade in value lol. I really will miss this v8 if I get rid of it. B6 body style is actually my favorite of the S4 also.

[Mr. Corey]

^^^^^
Just because a place has nice floors, pretty pictures, and works on high end cars does not actually mean they are the best choice. There are a number or stories online of bad work they have done. And while he doesn't agree with me they have blown 2 motors in a row in DSgray's S4. Now they are taking a year to do rebuild and install the RS motor. Maybe it's just bad luck but I don't find that to be a glowing recommendation.

They also said my engine was toast and needed a new long block when my valve seals where bad. Awful shop in my opinion.



Excelerate did my rebuild with JHM heads / headers and timing components they did a good job. If your attached to your car bite the bullet and empty out your saving but be prepared to drop 20k if your going all out. If you can get a new ebay long block that seems to be the best way to go..... 10k and DIY engine swap.

[AndyB]

Just speaking to a few mechanics who know this car and they are not convinced the motor is toast. They state one of the components shaped like a horshoe will drop out of place and cause low compression on one of the cylinders. He says he has seen this multiple times after Audi diagnosed a bad motor and he bought to his shop. (Audi called back and said only 1 cylinder didn't pass compression) so my new question is: can the timing cause the loss of compression or would the cylinder definitely be scored? I'm not convinced it is just the way I drive and treat this thing. If it's only the timing/cam adjusters I'm all in to fix her I just don't want to deal with scored cylinders. Thanks again everybody

[quattroism25]

Check out Edge Motors. Not a large shop but they do excellent work.

[2004B6S4]

Just speaking to a few mechanics who know this car and they are not convinced the motor is toast. They state one of the components shaped like a horshoe will drop out of place and cause low compression on one of the cylinders. He says he has seen this multiple times after Audi diagnosed a bad motor and he bought to his shop. (Audi called back and said only 1 cylinder didn't pass compression) so my new question is: can the timing cause the loss of compression or would the cylinder definitely be scored? I'm not convinced it is just the way I drive and treat this thing. If it's only the timing/cam adjusters I'm all in to fix her I just don't want to deal with scored cylinders. Thanks again everybody

that sounds promising. I wouldn't be surprised if the dealership is inclined to rush to judgement on this sorta thing, with the hope that the customer has deep pockets and just approves the new motor without much fuss. Considering their target demographic, they probably encounter a lot of those customers. I'd like to know more about what part that mechanic is referring to with the horseshoe shape, if you could ask him again what the part is called that would be great to know!

[esimp2k]

Take it to EXCELERATE. I live in ct and they have done work on my b8 and previously my b7 s4s.


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[AndyB]

Thanks guys. Audi called and said it runs fine and they drove it for a while... And that I can drive it home..Yikes. Going to have a friend of mine who is a great mechanic check the cylinders tomorrow to confirm. Will get a last opinion from excelerate before I let this thing go.

[XLR8 Craig]

Thanks guys. Audi called and said it runs fine and they drove it for a while... And that I can drive it home..Yikes. Going to have a friend of mine who is a great mechanic check the cylinders tomorrow to confirm. Will get a last opinion from excelerate before I let this thing go.

Tough to read threads like this. If you need anything we are here to help. We have extensive experience with the 4.2L (we don't often like to admit it) :p But they really are great when fixed right.

Thanks,

Greg

[WinterRunner]

Excelerate is awesome, did some work with them on my old CL type S