HELP - no compression in ANY cylinder

[Jks2327]

My 2009 Audi A4 2.0T drove perfectly to work yesterday then after work I tried to start it up and it sounded sort of weak, so I stopped it and went to start again. After that all my dash lights/radio would start but I just heard a humming noise (no clicking, no cranking, just humming). Tow truck came out and it's not the battery. I figured it's a starter or ignition switch, but the repair shop called today to say there is zero compression in all 4 cylinders and that it needs a whole new (used) engine.

No idea what happened and said it'd be more expensive to have them tear it apart just to find out that 99.9% I need a new engine...something doesn't sound right here though. It didn't make a big bang like the timing chain snapped. What are your thoughts? Any other suggestions that could help save my car? Thanks!

In the case that it DOES need an engine, they said there are two different ID codes for this engine and one is half as much $ as the other. They repair shop called the dealer who said the 2 are not interchangeable. Can someone help confirm why since mine has the more expensive engine in it?

[buelldozer]

Why do you think a timing assembly failure requires a "big bang" ? I can assure you that it doesn't.

Based on your trouble description I'm 99% positive that your timing assembly has failed, likely your timing chain tensioner, and your valves are now bent into a boomerang shape. I'm working on my own A9 2.0t for this exact issue and it happened exactly like yours did at startup. It's so common in fact that Audi of America is getting sued over it!

Here's the master thread for this issue: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...Failure-Thread

As to which motor you have this should be easily solved based on your VIN. I don't know what kind of cut rate shop you took your car too but I'd suggest finding one that can properly identify your engine.

I'd honestly recommend having the car towed over to the actual Audi dealer. I'm seeing where some people are getting FREE engine replacements on this issue even if the car is out of warranty.

[Jks2327]

Thanks for the information, looks like this is the same issue. I talked to Audi dealer and to the Audi Goodwill Assistance, and they said they do not have any coverage right now for the tensioner issue (and do not consider it a 'known' issue). Since my car is at 89,500 miles it's past the oil consumption warranty. They said I could tow it to the dealer and have them re-do diagnostics, but that there would be no guarantee that they would pay since 1) it's out of the oil consumption warranty 2) I'm not the first owner 3) they don't recognize tensioner issue. I'll review the thread in more detail to see how others have gotten Audi to take responsibility and keep trying! Thanks!