Insanely high mileage

[mysticjocephus]

So I just got an '02 A4 3.0 from my stepdad about 4 months ago. It currently has 294,000 miles on it, and I'm concerned it won't last a whole lot longer. From what little I know about the vehicle history, the majority are highway miles, and I have a list all work done to it that I will add later. I'm just wondering what I should be concerned about, and what I would start to notice if it were to "call it quits" anytime soon.



-------------------------------UPDATE-----------------------------

Chronological maintenance history:
104k Serpentine belt, tensioner, 3 ignition coils, plugs
107k Timing belt, water pump, seals.
134k All 6 coils (recall?)
181k Timing belt, water pump, seals, tensioners, rear brakes
228k Front brakes
240k rear pads/rotors, plugs
241k clutch and flywheel\

This was what was written in the notes section in the manual, as well as regular oil changes, tires, etc. It doesn't seem like much if any suspension work has been done.
I replaced drivers side steering knuckle within the past 2 months. Will look through receipts that I have to see if original owner missed anything in the history. Just found a disturbing note on one of the receipts from 181k saying "Exhaust lifters are deteriorating, will destroy camshafts if not repaired - cust. declined". Haven't seen anything else related to cams, lifters or any other upper engine work. Assuming this is something I should look into given that that was over 100k ago?

[cschuster]

All suspension (shocks/mounts/control arms/tie rods/balljoints) is long overdue if it hasn't been done already. Night and day difference replacing all that stuff. The most likely engine killer for the 3.0 is probably cam lobe wear - there are whole threads about that. OBD2 scan for any faults or pending faults, then scan it again with VCDS if you can.

- - - Updated - - -

All suspension (shocks/mounts/control arms/tie rods/balljoints) is long overdue if it hasn't been done already. Night and day difference replacing all that stuff. The most likely engine killer for the 3.0 is probably cam lobe wear - there are whole threads about that. OBD2 scan for any faults or pending faults, then scan it again with VCDS if you can to catch anything else.

[mysticjocephus]

I have done an OBD2 scan and came back with only an o2 sensor. Don't have access to VCDS. I will have to look through the notes to see what suspension work was done.

[19jdog]

I have 244,000 and she still runs strong. Take care of her and she will take care of you.

[DJHoro]

Timing components, water pump, thermostat, serpentine belt and tensioner, coolant flush, intake actuator valve, check ignition coils, check suspension components, check all mounts (motor, rear diff,tranny, snub) check vacuum lines, check pcv, check all fluids, tranny and dif fluids changed? Brake fluid? Power steering?

[V70R]

I think your stepdad took pretty damn good care of it for it to have nearly 300,000 miles and still running. Feel free to post up a maintenance history that is chronological off of the date/mileage to see if anything might need to be replaced, or if you hear anything that you're curious about (bushing noises when turning the wheel at low speed, cold start noises, etc).

[imnuts]

Your due for another timing belt change, and probably new plugs, filters, and an oil change soon too. If it hasn't been done, flush out the transmission and differentials and replace the fluids. Suspension components are likely worn and need replacement too, but that depends on the roads and driving habits.

When you have the timing belt service, you can inspect the came for wear and see if there is an issue or not. My guess is no given your almost at 300k miles and no major issues, but it doesn't hurt to check.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL

[crazyquik22023]

As said above you are overdue for another t-belt and water pump. Also would be a good idea to do a BG engine clean and use the BG MOA oil supplement during your next oil change to keep engine sludge to a minimum.

[mysticjocephus]

As said above you are overdue for another t-belt and water pump. Also would be a good idea to do a BG engine clean and use the BG MOA oil supplement during your next oil change to keep engine sludge to a minimum.

What specific BG product would you recommend? Sorry for the dumb question. I've never heard of it before

[crazyquik22023]

BG EPR for the cleaning and BG MOA for the oil treatment

[shurur9]

218K on my 2002 3.0.
I like Kreen myself...maybe 80k-100k..

OC every 7k, with a little sip of oil at the half (3.5k) mark and MMO at ~7k just before the next oil OC.

[Turbo510]

If you intend to change the rollers, belt, tensioner, and coolant pump yourself, buy a timing tool kit (Amazon, Ebay, etc). To do this job correctly, all the cams have to be held by hefty tools that grab each camshaft at machined flats, while the crank is located by a screw-in pin. There is also a unique tool that fits a 3/8" drive bar like a socket, but it is a kind of key used to rotate the mechanism of the exhaust cams to their initial positions. A torque wrench of at least 75 ft-lbs capacity will be necessary too.

[AudiA4_20T]

I have to say, I've been looking around at B6s on CL and a lot of them have 200k+. Pretty impressive.

[projectvoltron]

Like most people have said it is Due/overdue for timing components. I would also change all the fluids i.e. diff fluid, transmission fluid, oil, coolant, etc.

As typical with most Audis. With proper preventative maintenance and they car will treat you good.

[walky_talky20]

Just found a disturbing note on one of the receipts from 181k saying "Exhaust lifters are deteriorating, will destroy camshafts if not repaired - cust. declined". Haven't seen anything else related to cams, lifters or any other upper engine work. Assuming this is something I should look into given that that was over 100k ago?

That was at the timing belt change, because the valve covers were off for that job. Most likely nobody has been in there since to see how bad it has gotten. Cam and lifter wear is a problem on some of the 3.0's and it can get ugly. My suggestion would be to inspect that situation before you buy any parts. It needs a new t-belt kit immediately (actually like 20k miles ago), so pop one of the valve covers off and take a look at the lifters and cam lobes. If stuff is junk, you might just want to look for a lower mile engine, rather than put a t-belt kit/water pump on this one. (Or price out some cams and lifters). That is, if the rest of the car is nice. A compression/leak down test wouldn't be a bad idea while you are checking the health of things.

TLDR: Figure out how bad the cams and lifters are before you do anything. But do it quick because the t-belt could snap at any moment, and then its all junk anyway.

EDIT: Wow, I didn't sugar coat that at all, did I? lol

[SJorge3442]

That was at the timing belt change, because the valve covers were off for that job. Most likely nobody has been in there since to see how bad it has gotten. Cam and lifter wear is a problem on some of the 3.0's and it can get ugly. My suggestion would be to inspect that situation before you buy any parts. It needs a new t-belt kit immediately (actually like 20k miles ago), so pop one of the valve covers off and take a look at the lifters and cam lobes. If stuff is junk, you might just want to look for a lower mile engine, rather than put a t-belt kit/water pump on this one. (Or price out some cams and lifters). That is, if the rest of the car is nice. A compression/leak down test wouldn't be a bad idea while you are checking the health of things.

TLDR: Figure out how bad the cams and lifters are before you do anything. But do it quick because the t-belt could snap at any moment, and then its all junk anyway.

EDIT: Wow, I didn't sugar coat that at all, did I? lol

Not at all But its important to get across the details of the potential issue. If the last mech said there were issues 100k ago, its gotta be messy in there now. I agree though. Pull those valve covers and take a peak at the cams and lifters asap.

[mysticjocephus]

That was at the timing belt change, because the valve covers were off for that job. Most likely nobody has been in there since to see how bad it has gotten. Cam and lifter wear is a problem on some of the 3.0's and it can get ugly. My suggestion would be to inspect that situation before you buy any parts. It needs a new t-belt kit immediately (actually like 20k miles ago), so pop one of the valve covers off and take a look at the lifters and cam lobes. If stuff is junk, you might just want to look for a lower mile engine, rather than put a t-belt kit/water pump on this one. (Or price out some cams and lifters). That is, if the rest of the car is nice. A compression/leak down test wouldn't be a bad idea while you are checking the health of things.

TLDR: Figure out how bad the cams and lifters are before you do anything. But do it quick because the t-belt could snap at any moment, and then its all junk anyway.

EDIT: Wow, I didn't sugar coat that at all, did I? lol

Honestly, I'm just trying to make the car last until September or so, then hoping to pick up another Audi with much lower mileage and fewer issues.