Cam Follower Question

[dman3931]

I have a 2007 A4 2.0T and just hit 85k. I am quickly approaching the 10 year mark on the extended warranty for the cam follower and just asked Audi to check my follower as I know its a problem area that most people hit by now and mine has never been replaced. I was just told that they ran diagnostics on the car and that since there isn't an issue they won't go in and check it. Is it worth me telling them to go in and replace it anyway? I plan on holding onto this car for the next few years and its a daily driver - definitely don't want an issue, especially outside of the warranty period. Thanks in advance

Alex

[adam044]

Yes, absolutely, 1000000% yes replace it. More than likely it will have a hole in it and then they will replace everything for you. I think that's how it works. I have an 08 so I don't qualify for anything so not 100% sure how it works.

[AudiKilla]

Yes, replace it before it does any damage to your engine/hpfp. I just did mine myself at 90k and it still looked good.

[Copen-cisco]

Can you check it yourself? Inspect it. If fine, replace it. $20 on Ebay and site sponsors. If busted, put everything back together and pay for a diagnostic fee (reimbursed to you when they find the busted cam follower) - everything covered by warranty.

[adam044]

Can you check it yourself? Inspect it. If fine, replace it. $20 on Ebay and site sponsors. If busted, put everything back together and pay for a diagnostic fee (reimbursed to you when they find the busted cam follower) - everything covered by warranty.

Actually, what he said. Check it yourself and if it's bad go back to Audi.

[Copen-cisco]

It its fine you just got dry raped by the dealer for a diagnostic fee. If you have a money tree in your backyard please go ahead

[konarider94]

First time I checked the one in my car was around 112,000-113,000 miles. It showed some wear but wasn't horrible. Certainly worth checking, but I doubt yours has a hole in it. If it did that would be the time to have a chat with the dealer. If not just replace it and call it a day.

[dalmation53]

Can you check it yourself? Inspect it. If fine, replace it. $20 on Ebay and site sponsors. If busted, put everything back together and pay for a diagnostic fee (reimbursed to you when they find the busted cam follower) - everything covered by warranty.

you sir are a genious. why didn't i think about this lol. i replaced it myself and that's it. oh well

[classicj]

I bought my 05 b7 a4 w/ 48k miles on it a year and a half ago and did cam follower immediately. Was still fine but you could see the wear. I'm going to do it very regularly just for safety. I wouldn't risk it. Easy, cheap fix and you don't want the headache if it does go.

[pezgoon]

Its supposed to be replace every 20-40k, it being "worn" is actually as soon as the black anti wear coating its actually past replacement already. I just picked up an 05 last week with only 39k and I already replaced the follower Friday. The center had just gotten through the black anti wear coating so I caught it literally just in time before it started wear the camshaft.

The warranty is 10 yr 120k miles but dealer only replaces under warranty if its throwing the HPFP code, or if you pay to open it up and they see it has a hole in it. Otherwise they wont open it up or replace it under warranty. My mothers (same year as mine but auto) had never had its replaced and its at 140k, I went and replaced it and it had no hole either but there was NOTHING left of the anti wear coating, she has had a p0089 (low fuel pressure) code since shortly after she got it a few months ago (we got it knowing something wasn't right) we've already done the HPFP and all sensors on it, fuel filter, next is camshaft. In total itll be about 800$ with me doing all the work at home, so unless you feel like replacing a camshaft and HPFP for shits and giggles I would stick to the maintenance schedule and change it every 20-40k or as soon as the anti wear coating starts coming off if earlier. Many people check it every oil change or every other as once you get used to it it takes about 30 mins

Again, IT DOESNT HAVE TO BE THROUGH TO BE CAUSING DAMAGE. The camshafts were made WAY too soft and without the anti wear coating the camshaft begins wearing immediately no matter your oil or oil change schedules. Once it does punch a hole through, your now looking at a head as it generally sends metal pieces everywhere and clogs and takes out all the oil ports and destroys the valves. If you lucky it stops there (in your head) more often than not you end up having to drop the pan and pray that you find all the metal pieces and are able to clean them all out before needing to do a complete engine job. Take a look at the Cam follower threads over on Audiworld, I never looked hard on here cause after reading about 50 pages of horror stories I knew what to look for and what to avoid (this is why I DIDN'T buy my mothers car as it was offered to me before her but she wouldn't listen to my suggestions of not to buy it and why I hopped on this one with 40k cause I knew I could catch the cam follower in time BEFORE I had to replace camshaft and HPFP or anything else)
Sorry for the long winded post, just would rather have others know and maybe prevent the thousands of dollars worth of damage that can be created by not replaceing a 23$ part (23 at FCP with lifetime replacement)

Just my .02 cents

[adam044]

My dad 06 auto with 130k has never had it replaced. I told him I don't know how his car is still running. Maybe the cam follower is still good. I assume it's toast though. Who knows.

[pezgoon]

Probably the same thing as my moms was, the follower doesn't need to be pierced to be causing damage! Although with my moms we aee not sure yet whether its the camshaft or lpfp, the lpfp has been replaced but I think it might be causing the code personally so idk, he really should get it checked or look himself it really isn't that bad to do and there are plenty of detailed diys out there

[Mickmerr62]

This is hugely critical to me.

I currently have a code which members on here are suggesting has already wrecked my cam and hpfp as a result of the follower going bad.

Mine is a 2006, with 104k I think.

I have very little service history, I presume I am out of luck in terms of any redress.

[Theiceman]

This is hugely critical to me.

I currently have a code which members on here are suggesting has already wrecked my cam and hpfp as a result of the follower going bad.

Mine is a 2006, with 104k I think.

I have very little service history, I presume I am out of luck in terms of any redress.

dude this is hugely critical to all of us :)

if its a MY 2006 chances are it went into service 2005 some time or early 2006 so I would say your warranty has expired.

you may as well get the HPFP off and have a look .

I bought my 2006 with 250K kilo and sure enough the top of the pump was worn off with a totally destroyed cam follower, one of the worst that's been seen ( there is a thread on here with pics ) .

[Mickmerr62]

dude this is hugely critical to all of us :)

if its a MY 2006 chances are it went into service 2005 some time or early 2006 so I would say your warranty has expired.

you may as well get the HPFP off and have a look .

I bought my 2006 with 250K kilo and sure enough the top of the pump was worn off with a totally destroyed cam follower, one of the worst that's been seen ( there is a thread on here with pics ) .

Checking the dates and also looking to try and get someone to assist with the removal at the weekend.

Thanks to you and the forum in general!!

[adam044]

This is hugely critical to me.

I currently have a code which members on here are suggesting has already wrecked my cam and hpfp as a result of the follower going bad.

Mine is a 2006, with 104k I think.

I have very little service history, I presume I am out of luck in terms of any redress.

We'll have you checked your follower???

[Mickmerr62]

We'll have you checked your follower???

No Adam, I have a replacement arriving on Friday, just in case and have already inquired on the regional forum if anyone local wanted the job, I have an arm injury which prevents me tackling much at the moment.

Date of manufacture was indeed late 05 and presumably delivered to customer early 06

[pezgoon]

No Adam, I have a replacement arriving on Friday, just in case and have already inquired on the regional forum if anyone local wanted the job, I have an arm injury which prevents me tackling much at the moment.

Date of manufacture was indeed late 05 and presumably delivered to customer early 06

Let me know if you cant find anybody to do it, I'm in Hampstead, NH which is about 40 minutes from lowell (ironically my wife works at the lowell elks lodge #87 Near the bowling alley if you know where it is) If need be I could always go to work with her Saturday and bring the needed tools and we could just do it in their parking lot (they wouldn't mind) let me know!

[Mickmerr62]

Let me know if you cant find anybody to do it, I'm in Hampstead, NH which is about 40 minutes from lowell (ironically my wife works at the lowell elks lodge #87 Near the bowling alley if you know where it is) If need be I could always go to work with her Saturday and bring the needed tools and we could just do it in their parking lot (they wouldn't mind) let me know!

Hi Eric,

I will absolutely let you know, and in any event, really appreciate your response.

I do know where you mean and I will be in touch.

Have a good afternoon!

[adam044]

Let me know if you cant find anybody to do it, I'm in Hampstead, NH which is about 40 minutes from lowell (ironically my wife works at the lowell elks lodge #87 Near the bowling alley if you know where it is) If need be I could always go to work with her Saturday and bring the needed tools and we could just do it in their parking lot (they wouldn't mind) let me know!

Well hello there neighbor. So do I. I'm near the Atkinson/Plaistow line. Lived in Plaistow for 20 years, just moved over a town about a month ago.

Go to school in Lowell too. Weird, haha

[pezgoon]

Hi Eric,

I will absolutely let you know, and in any event, really appreciate your response.

I do know where you mean and I will be in touch.

Have a good afternoon!

No problem and let me know!

Well hello there neighbor. So do I. I'm near the Atkinson/Plaistow line. Lived in Plaistow for 20 years, just moved over a town about a month ago.

Go to school in Lowell too. Weird, haha

Well howdy! that is funny, I have lived in Hampstead 19 years! Although I'm only 25 so thats my entire life! lol

That is very weird, its a small world I guess! We'll have to have a meet and greet sometime then! Maybe we'll pass each other driving around town then haha! I live right off 111 just past the East road intersection if you know where that is (in Hampstead)


Ps, if you need help doing the camshaft I may be able to, good chance I'm going to have to replace my mothers as we are getting a p0089 code and replace the HPFP hasnt worked so its either gonna be the LPFP or the camshaft, not sure which will end up being done yet though! So I may have the experience in doing it if need be! And I'm not sure if you have one I have an Audi factory repair manual, gotta love ebay. that thing is a huge help for in depth things like doing a camshaft, lists all torque specs and step by step Audi instructions!

[adam044]

No problem and let me know!




Well howdy! that is funny, I have lived in Hampstead 19 years! Although I'm only 25 so thats my entire life! lol

That is very weird, its a small world I guess! We'll have to have a meet and greet sometime then! Maybe we'll pass each other driving around town then haha! I live right off 111 just past the East road intersection if you know where that is (in Hampstead)


Ps, if you need help doing the camshaft I may be able to, good chance I'm going to have to replace my mothers as we are getting a p0089 code and replace the HPFP hasnt worked so its either gonna be the LPFP or the camshaft, not sure which will end up being done yet though! So I may have the experience in doing it if need be! And I'm not sure if you have one I have an Audi factory repair manual, gotta love ebay. that thing is a huge help for in depth things like doing a camshaft, lists all torque specs and step by step Audi instructions!

3 years older than me. And yes I know where that is... I live on East Road hahaha. What do you drive?

I had P2293 when the HPFP shit out on me due to a hole in my cam follower. Replaced that and have been good.

Not sure what I'll do with the camshaft yet. May just replace the cam follower every oil change for the time being and see how it wears.

[pezgoon]

3 years older than me. And yes I know where that is... I live on East Road hahaha. What do you drive?

I had P2293 when the HPFP shit out on me due to a hole in my cam follower. Replaced that and have been good.

Not sure what I'll do with the camshaft yet. May just replace the cam follower every oil change for the time being and see how it wears.

HA! That is awesome! If you know it I live on Hickory rd off 111, its a dead end street so you may not, I have a 2005.5 Silver (with grey interior) A4 sedan (its in my profile pic I havent made one small enough for my avatar yet) still has temp plates on it so if you see one go by that's mine! (its got an I love my cat magnet on the trunk, cheesy I know) I'll have to keep an eye out for yours! I'm guessing its the red one that is your avatar?

[Theiceman]

checking the cam follower is easy once you know the tricks ..

for your model just need a few extentions and a torx for the banjo bolt ( I thought it was pretty easy once you figure out the angle .

And as we all know the sacrificed 17mm that is cut down like a sawed off shotgun.

just don't forget the new fuel pump oring to put on after you check the follower.

[pezgoon]

checking the cam follower is easy once you know the tricks ..

for your model just need a few extentions and a torx for the banjo bolt ( I thought it was pretty easy once you figure out the angle .

And as we all know the sacrificed 17mm that is cut down like a sawed off shotgun.

just don't forget the new fuel pump oring to put on after you check the follower.

LOL a stubby wrench (about 2-3 inches) works just as well and maybe better cause you can hold onto it through the box end like a ring on your finger so you dont lost it down the back of the engine praying for the clang that it hits the ground and doesn't get stuck on the transmission (if you can't tell, its happened more than once. the more beers that have been had, the higher the chance of it falling! )

I also suggest a flex joint? that's not what it is but its the same concept, same thing that's used in axles? the Swivel pieces? any one know what its called? one of those on the socket and a foot of extensions gets the thing right at the banjo bolt

Edit: U-JOINT that's it! I hate when something is right there and you just can't remember what the hell it is! A u-joint attachment is the only way I was able to get the socket on the banjo bolt especially without stripping the head (although its supposed to be one time use only lol)

[adam044]

HA! That is awesome! If you know it I live on Hickory rd off 111, its a dead end street so you may not, I have a 2005.5 Silver (with grey interior) A4 sedan (its in my profile pic I havent made one small enough for my avatar yet) still has temp plates on it so if you see one go by that's mine! (its got an I love my cat magnet on the trunk, cheesy I know) I'll have to keep an eye out for yours! I'm guessing its the red one that is your avatar?

That's crazy. That's like right down the street from me. I know where that is because we almost bought a house on that road a few months back before we bought this one, but it was already pending a sale.

And yes red one. You'd know it's me trust me. Haha. I'm on Instagram idk if you are but @adamdefranco1

[adam044]

checking the cam follower is easy once you know the tricks ..

for your model just need a few extentions and a torx for the banjo bolt ( I thought it was pretty easy once you figure out the angle .

And as we all know the sacrificed 17mm that is cut down like a sawed off shotgun.

just don't forget the new fuel pump oring to put on after you check the follower.

So glad I don't have that stupid banjo bolt. I didn't have to modify any of my tools and it takes me probably 20, 30 min to check it now.

I don't move the coolant tank like the DIYs say to do either. First time I did but was like why did I have to do that? So now it stays.

[wjg22]

Idk why people freak out about the banjo bolt, I had way more trouble with stripping the brass fuel pressure release valve than the banjo.


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[adam044]

Idk why people freak out about the banjo bolt, I had way more trouble with stripping the brass fuel pressure release valve than the banjo.


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You too eh? I don't speak of that stupid vavle. Go to the "what did you do to your B7?" thread and look at mine. It's stuck in the hole. It melted into the pump or something. It took me hours until I just chiseled it off. Then even off the car with the pump in a vice it still wouldn't come out.

[pezgoon]

So glad I don't have that stupid banjo bolt. I didn't have to modify any of my tools and it takes me probably 20, 30 min to check it now.

I don't move the coolant tank like the DIYs say to do either. First time I did but was like why did I have to do that? So now it stays.

I Luckily had a shorty wrench, didnt have to modify anything either. What year is yours that it doesnt have a banjo bolt?

Idk why people freak out about the banjo bolt, I had way more trouble with stripping the brass fuel pressure release valve than the banjo.

You too eh? I don't speak of that stupid vavle. Go to the "what did you do to your B7?" thread and look at mine. It's stuck in the hole. It melted into the pump or something. It took me hours until I just chiseled it off. Then even off the car with the pump in a vice it still wouldn't come out.

Why even use it? Neither mine nor my mothers has(had, mine doesn't have it when I changed my mothers HPFP it had the port for it so I had to add it, I almost just blocked it off) all you have to do is pull the fuel pump fuse (#28 in car) and run it till it runs out of gas. Then when you go to open the lines a couple drops come out, I never even planned to use the relief valve on my mothers new one, was still gonna do it the same way.

Did you try turning it the other way just in case it was reverse threaded? (I think it was when I installed it) Fuel lines in the welding and propane world are all reverse threaded so thats why I say it... But I don't remember if it was reverse threaded here or not

[pezgoon]

That's crazy. That's like right down the street from me. I know where that is because we almost bought a house on that road a few months back before we bought this one, but it was already pending a sale.

And yes red one. You'd know it's me trust me. Haha. I'm on Instagram idk if you are but @adamdefranco1

Thats nuts! it was one of those two blue houses on the corner right? (they both went up for sale at the same time) sadly some people from mass moved into both lol and its only little kids so there is like no one on my street for me to be friends with/hangout with!

Ps. its very creepy/ironic/hilarious that you were almost in my neighborhood! Small world!!

I don't have instagram but my wife does (well I do but don't use it) so she said she will add you! (she takes most of my pictures of shit anyways lolol)

[wjg22]

I don't remember it being reverse threaded when I finally got it out. It was probably over torqued by the PO.


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[pezgoon]

Ah my bad, it might also be because its brass in a (aluminum?) housing so it had a galvanic reaction, plus it was a pretty high torque spec, like 45 ft lbs lol I couldnt even get it torqued because I couldnt hold the pump tight enough ( the one tool I dont have is a bench vise)

[adam044]

I Luckily had a shorty wrench, didnt have to modify anything either. What year is yours that it doesnt have a banjo bolt?





Why even use it? Neither mine nor my mothers has(had, mine doesn't have it when I changed my mothers HPFP it had the port for it so I had to add it, I almost just blocked it off) all you have to do is pull the fuel pump fuse (#28 in car) and run it till it runs out of gas. Then when you go to open the lines a couple drops come out, I never even planned to use the relief valve on my mothers new one, was still gonna do it the same way.

Did you try turning it the other way just in case it was reverse threaded? (I think it was when I installed it) Fuel lines in the welding and propane world are all reverse threaded so thats why I say it... But I don't remember if it was reverse threaded here or not

I have a 2008 so no banjo bolt. My signature doesn't show up when I post from mobile sorry.

I thought you needed it. I do pull fuse 28 every time. But I thought last time when I forgot to put it back that gas started coming out of it.

Wasn't reverse threaded, I've removed it before.

[adam044]

I don't remember it being reverse threaded when I finally got it out. It was probably over torqued by the PO.


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Yeah me. I put it in. When I put the new one in the new pump I hand tightened it and then tightened it very slightly with the wrench.

[pezgoon]

I have a 2008 so no banjo bolt. My signature doesn't show up when I post from mobile sorry.

I thought you needed it. I do pull fuse 28 every time. But I thought last time when I forgot to put it back that gas started coming out of it.

Wasn't reverse threaded, I've removed it before.

Yes you need to have "something" plugging the hole, it seems to me they just added the drain because people weren't pulling fuse 28 and was spraying 5 bar worth of gas all over an engine bay with the exhaust directly underneath it. I think someone, or some dealer, caught someones car on fire so they had to add the drain valve. Technically you could just put a brass plug in the hole and treat it the same way as not haveing the valve there yaknow?

Instead of the banjo bolt, is it a rubber hose going to it? (Since its the barbed fitting right?) Maybe with the rubber fitting more gas comes out than with the banjo bolt? Once you get used to doing it its easy to do anyways like someone above said

[adam044]

Yes you need to have "something" plugging the hole, it seems to me they just added the drain because people weren't pulling fuse 28 and was spraying 5 bar worth of gas all over an engine bay with the exhaust directly underneath it. I think someone, or some dealer, caught someones car on fire so they had to add the drain valve. Technically you could just put a brass plug in the hole and treat it the same way as not haveing the valve there yaknow?

Instead of the banjo bolt, is it a rubber hose going to it? (Since its the barbed fitting right?) Maybe with the rubber fitting more gas comes out than with the banjo bolt? Once you get used to doing it its easy to do anyways like someone above said

Okay so it does need to be plugged, good lol.

I've never seen the banjo bolt one so I'm not sure. My dads 06 probably has the banjo bolt but I've never worked on his car. Some gas comes out of every line that you pull off the pump. Nothing too serious. It's easy for me, I think I said that haha. I'm a pro now. Done it 3 times in like a month now.

[RakkCity]

pull lpfp fuse, run the car until it dies. very little fuel comes out.

I used about 12" worth of extensions and a u-joint with electrical tape around it to keep it relatively straight while I coaxed the assembly through to the banjo bolt. Not difficult, just tedious and very little clearance. Takes 2 seconds to move the coolant overflow tank so I do that to make more room.

My car with 130k miles had all the black worn off the CF, few light scratches on the intake cam lobe. I'm at 137k now, gonna check on the follower here soon and see how it's wearing. Hopefully I'm not looking at replacing a cam too.

[pezgoon]

pull lpfp fuse, run the car until it dies. very little fuel comes out.

I used about 12" worth of extensions and a u-joint with electrical tape around it to keep it relatively straight while I coaxed the assembly through to the banjo bolt. Not difficult, just tedious and very little clearance. Takes 2 seconds to move the coolant overflow tank so I do that to make more room.

My car with 130k miles had all the black worn off the CF, few light scratches on the intake cam lobe. I'm at 137k now, gonna check on the follower here soon and see how it's wearing. Hopefully I'm not looking at replacing a cam too.

I never needed to pull the coolant tank to get in there, I just go waaay down with the ratchet and get at the banjo bolt from underneath to get the u joint as straight as possible as they can be very uncooperative when bent too far



I just undo the three screws holding the big black coolant pipe to the intake and you can move it like six inches to the right and gives me enough room to fit my hand right next to the HPFP, really helps to hold the banjo bolt on the socket when trying to get it back in!

[Theiceman]

yeah Banjo is easy , I do it exactly as stated above almost go straight up and it locks on .

when I replaced my pump in my 06 I replaced with the new style, ( with Schrader valve) . I thought "that looks like a pain in the ass as it blocks a screw" and put a plug in it right off the bat that goes flush with the pump . Perfect.