Just another catastrophic cam follower failure

**Trickassfoo** · 12-07-2017 02:44 PM

Just wanted to share my 06 a4 avant at 95k km. Cam follower failed, hpfp is toast. I'm assuming cam is no good. What else should i be looking to replace?

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**Jake@JHM** · 12-07-2017 02:50 PM

you can salvage your pump with this: https://jhmotorsports.com/jhm-high-p...-2-0t-fsi.html

Intake cam here: https://jhmotorsports.com/camshaft-o...wt-engine.html

We have cam followers here: https://jhmotorsports.com/cam-follow...-2-0t-fsi.html

We will have anything else you need as well. Best way to know is to dig into and see what got damaged by metal shrapnel.

**studiobmx** · 12-07-2017 02:52 PM

Really try and get all the bits of the follower out. Change oil a few times and get a magnetic drain plug to catch any bits. I’d change your cam chain tensioner while your in there and do the rear coolant flange while it’s exposed as well. I’ve got the cam lock and cam gear puller if you need. I’ve also got half tube (opened this week) of the green sealant that’s needed. Pm me if you have any questions.
Good luck.

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**studiobmx** · 12-07-2017 02:53 PM

I’ve also got a spare new hpfp pump too.

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**Trickassfoo** · 12-07-2017 02:58 PM

Thanks guys. Going out to pull it apart and assess damage further. Wish me luck 🤞

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**Trickassfoo** · 12-07-2017 03:03 PM

Also, say I wanted to spend a bit more and upgrade, what would I be looking for, (and how much more $)?

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**studiobmx** · 12-07-2017 04:31 PM

Upgrade hpfp.

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**IronAudi** · 12-08-2017 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by Trickassfoo

Just wanted to share my 06 a4 avant at 95k km. Cam follower failed, hpfp is toast. I'm assuming cam is no good. What else should i be looking to replace?

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Having done this same thing and seen other people here with the same issues, I needed a new engine, it slowly, 6 miles went from no CEL to not drivable. I wanted to replace things as well but I had a ton of metal shavings in my oil and the nipple got stuck in the engine and screwed me harder.

just my .02 if you have the $$ to build it, nows the perfect Oppo.

**Trickassfoo** · 12-08-2017 06:58 AM

I don't have the time, nor money, or space to be rebuilding a full motor. It doesn't seem worth investing in a full rebuild on a ten year old car. If anything I'd pick up a used motor slap it in and sell the vehicle for something that won't explode, with less catastrophic design flaws

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**Ashtonts** · 12-08-2017 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by IronAudi

Having done this same thing and seen other people here with the same issues, I needed a new engine, it slowly, 6 miles went from no CEL to not drivable. I wanted to replace things as well but I had a ton of metal shavings in my oil and the nipple got stuck in the engine and screwed me harder.

just my .02 if you have the $$ to build it, nows the perfect Oppo.

Same thing happened to me. You can maybe save it if you get all the metal out, but if it’s not worth it for you to rebuild, I’d think about buttoning it all up and trading it in before you need a new motor.

**aluthman** · 12-08-2017 08:14 AM

Plenty of motors have survived a follower failure so that isn't necessarily the outcome in every case. I bought a B7 with a toasted follower that was in horrible mechanical condition and I successfully revived the motor. I ran it pretty hard for a few thousand miles as a daily and then sold it. It ran great and never had an oil pressure warning.

**nizmosx** · 12-08-2017 08:24 AM

Go to the dealer... FREE Repair up to 120k miles

The dealer replaced my cam follower, HPFP, Intake cam, Gaskets and new hardware on my b7 avant when it had 119,200 miles on it. i did not pay a cent. i also got a pretty sweet audi a3 loaner car for 3 days.

DO NOT throw away your damaged parts... put them back in and tow car to dealer. (call them first)

**aluthman** · 12-08-2017 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by nizmosx

Go to the dealer... FREE Repair up to 120k miles

The dealer replaced my cam follower, HPFP, Intake cam, Gaskets and new hardware on my b7 avant when it had 119,200 miles on it. i did not pay a cent. i also got a pretty sweet audi a3 loaner car for 3 days.

DO NOT throw away your damaged parts... put them back in and tow car to dealer. (call them first)

120k miles OR 10 years. His car is an 06 and won't be covered.

**Charles.waite** · 12-08-2017 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by nizmosx

Go to the dealer... FREE Repair up to 120k miles

The dealer replaced my cam follower, HPFP, Intake cam, Gaskets and new hardware on my b7 avant when it had 119,200 miles on it. i did not pay a cent. i also got a pretty sweet audi a3 loaner car for 3 days.

DO NOT throw away your damaged parts... put them back in and tow car to dealer. (call them first)

1) he's in Canada
2) its 10 years or 120k, thats run out for 2006 models

OP, same failure happened to me. Yours is bad, but mine was actually a bit worse. Either way, I replaced the cam, pump and a few other minor bits and have been relatively problem free for almost 40k miles since I did it in December 2012. I have oil consumption decently bad (1L/1400miles) but since the failure had already occurred before I purchased the car I have no way of knowing if the failure caused the consumption or the consumption caused the failure.

Either way you'll probably be okay just replacing the cam, pump, and follower.

**nizmosx** · 12-08-2017 10:25 AM

ahh didnt catch the year. my bad. mine was an 07 and tool care of it early this year so i was good to go. =)

still worth asking maybe?

**flowhigh** · 12-09-2017 12:15 AM

I had a blown cam follower and the engine was never the same. Slowly the oil consumption got worse to where I was putting a quart every week. After it happened everything just started going south slowly and the engine was just unhealthy. If you want to keep it, do like you and Aluthman said, drop in a motor that you know is in good condition. Finding one that is in proper shape without having to rebuild it is another challenge.

**Trickassfoo** · 12-09-2017 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by Charles.waite

1) he's in Canada
2) its 10 years or 120k, thats run out for 2006 models

OP, same failure happened to me. Yours is bad, but mine was actually a bit worse. Either way, I replaced the cam, pump and a few other minor bits and have been relatively problem free for almost 40k miles since I did it in December 2012. I have oil consumption decently bad (1L/1400miles) but since the failure had already occurred before I purchased the car I have no way of knowing if the failure caused the consumption or the consumption caused the failure.

Either way you'll probably be okay just replacing the cam, pump, and follower.

I called Audi of Canada already and they told me that since the warranty was up there is a 99% chance they would do nothing. I was also told I could bring it to the dealer for an assessment but since I had opened it to check the cam follower they'd consider that I've "tampered with it" I checked to see if there was a recall listed under transport Canada but there doesn't seem to be. If there was then I'd have a case and Audi could be forced to pay for repairs, no such luck.

I'm going to slap a cam and hpfp, do the coolant flange and call it a day. I'll flush the engine out with a few oil changes and assess it from there. If I have any problems come summer requiring further action so be it. I can't rebuild a motor at -30. I just purchased the car in April and the avant with 6mt took me ages to find in good condition. I seem have good luck in all aspects of life, and I've seen motors survive worse (blew a supercharger in a corrado and sent metal dust into the motor). I have high hopes that once I put it all together it will happily run another 100k +. Time will tell

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**Trickassfoo** · 12-09-2017 04:39 AM

Also I'm looking for a used cam, I've found two used hpfp on the forums here, but if anyone in Canada has anything let me know! I'm in Alberta. My plan is to hopefully find these parts slightly used and save some money, so I can see how the motor runs without investing 1000$.

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**WewannaB7** · 12-09-2017 04:50 AM

Just curious...was the engine tuned?

**Trickassfoo** · 12-09-2017 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by WewannaB7

Just curious...was the engine tuned?

The engine was tuned at 80k with unitronic stage 1. Cam follower detonated at 95k

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**WewannaB7** · 12-09-2017 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by Trickassfoo

The engine was tuned at 80k with unitronic stage 1. Cam follower detonated at 95k

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Wow, only 15km (9k miles) and then cam failure. Wonder if that had anything to do with it. I tuned to APR stage 1 at around 15k miles, and now at 45k miles 3 yrs later. Maybe I should change my follower soon. Hope your car’s fixed soon without issue.

**Trickassfoo** · 12-09-2017 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by WewannaB7

Wow, only 15km (9k miles) and then cam failure. Wonder if that had anything to do with it. I tuned to APR stage 1 at around 15k miles, and now at 45k miles 3 yrs later. Maybe I should change my follower soon. Hope your car’s fixed soon without issue.

You should check it. It takes half an hour to remove the hpfp. My old car was fine when I checked it at 150k, so I assumed my avant would be ok until 100k. Never assume. These cars have a serious design flaw that can cause engine damage. Best to be sure

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**WewannaB7** · 12-09-2017 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Trickassfoo

You should check it. It takes half an hour to remove the hpfp. My old car was fine when I checked it at 150k, so I assumed my avant would be ok until 100k. Never assume. These cars have a serious design flaw that can cause engine damage. Best to be sure

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Thanks. Good advice. What were your symptoms when it failed btw?...car just stopped and died? Any warning signs?

**vce1232000** · 12-09-2017 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by WewannaB7

Wow, only 15km (9k miles) and then cam failure. Wonder if that had anything to do with it. I tuned to APR stage 1 at around 15k miles, and now at 45k miles 3 yrs later. Maybe I should change my follower soon. Hope your car’s fixed soon without issue.

Premature cam follower wear also would be contributed from having

a modified HPFP. Stage 2+ and up. It tends to put more psi on the cam itself. Stage 1 still utilizes the stock hpfp. For pre-

Id check every 60k or less thou

**Trickassfoo** · 12-09-2017 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by WewannaB7

Thanks. Good advice. What were your symptoms when it failed btw?...car just stopped and died? Any warning signs?

No symptoms or warning signs whatsoever. I drove the car very hard sometimes and up until the night before it failed it ran amazing. Then in the morning it wouldn't boost when I stepped on it. Turned around and parked it at home because i heard the pump shaft squeaking on the cam. No cel, I scanned for codes and got code p2293 power train - fuel pressure regulator 2 performance.

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**WewannaB7** · 12-09-2017 08:17 AM

Damn...that sucks. Thanks for getting me all worried now. ;-)

**Trickassfoo** · 12-09-2017 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by WewannaB7

Damn...that sucks. Thanks for getting me all worried now. ;-)

Looks like yours is a 2008. There may have been a revision around then

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**WewannaB7** · 12-09-2017 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by Trickassfoo

Looks like yours is a 2008. There may have been a revision around then

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Thanks, but I think I’ve read here that they all fail...even the 08s. I’ll have it changed out at my next service prob just to be safe.

**Charles.waite** · 12-09-2017 10:00 AM

The only thing they fixed on the 2008 is that the cam lobe is much harder so the pump and cam follower won’t damage it as quickly when the CF fails. Which generally means less metal floating around your engine.

And mine was a 2008 and it failed at 54k miles, totally stock. My old 06 had 80k miles when I checked the follower for the first time in the car’s life and it was totally fine. So it has very little to do with tuning or model year and everything to with how on the ball all the owners over the cars lifetime have been with oil changes and using good quality oil.

**WewannaB7** · 12-12-2017 04:00 AM

Thanks for the info. Mine’s been serviced since new at dealer. I’m at 45k now, and almost at 10-yr mark, so I’ll have them change it at next oil change and see what old one looks like.

**Trickassfoo** · 12-13-2017 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by Charles.waite

The only thing they fixed on the 2008 is that the cam lobe is much harder so the pump and cam follower won’t damage it as quickly when the CF fails. Which generally means less metal floating around your engine.

And mine was a 2008 and it failed at 54k miles, totally stock. My old 06 had 80k miles when I checked the follower for the first time in the car’s life and it was totally fine. So it has very little to do with tuning or model year and everything to with how on the ball all the owners over the cars lifetime have been with oil changes and using good quality oil.

I have papers from services and lots of documentation that came with the car when I bought it. It seemed to be well taken care of...

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**Okedokey** · 12-13-2017 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by WewannaB7

Thanks for the info. Mine’s been serviced since new at dealer. I’m at 45k now, and almost at 10-yr mark, so I’ll have them change it at next oil change and see what old one looks like.

Unless you've seen the cam follower and confirmed its servicability, I would change it immediately. If you have a nice low mileage vehicle, and you want it to stay nice, pull the HPFP off and change the follower now. It could be on its last legs. I don't believe the cam follower is part of any service schedule, so it may have never been done. In this case, its very likely to be on its last legs.

**flowhigh** · 12-14-2017 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by Trickassfoo

No cel, I scanned for codes and got code p2293 power train - fuel pressure regulator 2 performance.

This is the major of the two dtc's that Audi want's to see to proceed with the dealer opening up the hpfp and start the case for a cam follower repair. Without it, they'll be ordered not to touch the hpfp. It's been so long now that these cars have been in service, who knows what Audi will cover.

What Audi wants to see that will help you in a case is:
The car has been serviced and maintained at Audi dealerships - preferably one consistently.
What doesn't count is you buying parts and diy. You'd think to AoA that it'd be indicative you care by using genuine parts...think again. Ever notice they're always asking for your vin# when you buy parts at the dealer? This all goes into their database - even for a bottle of 5w40. They avoid liability for a car that has been opened up by non-audi service, let alone you in your garage. This reduces your chances of goodwill or bring question for a car under warranty if something should happen.

Just a little behind the scenes nugget.

**WewannaB7** · 12-14-2017 02:50 AM

Originally Posted by Okedokey

Unless you've seen the cam follower and confirmed its servicability, I would change it immediately. If you have a nice low mileage vehicle, and you want it to stay nice, pull the HPFP off and change the follower now. It could be on its last legs. I don't believe the cam follower is part of any service schedule, so it may have never been done. In this case, its very likely to be on its last legs.

Thanks. I bought my car new from dealer and always serviced at same said dealer, so I technically still have a warranty claim if it fails I think. That same dealer sold and installed my APR tune. Once 2018 rolls along, I’ll have dealer change it out, and so if something goes wrong with it after they change it, I’m gonna hold them to that repair. :-)

**Okedokey** · 12-14-2017 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by WewannaB7

Thanks. I bought my car new from dealer and always serviced at same said dealer, so I technically still have a warranty claim if it fails I think. That same dealer sold and installed my APR tune. Once 2018 rolls along, I’ll have dealer change it out, and so if something goes wrong with it after they change it, I’m gonna hold them to that repair. :-)

Yeah they'll replace the cam and the HPFP, but who knows what internal damage may be caused by the metal in the crankcase. Its an easy DIY and a $30 part. Considering you're tuned also, I think you may be in for a shock.

**Charles.waite** · 12-14-2017 07:58 AM

Jeeze man! Debbie downer over here!

Also warranty stuff is irrelevant on these cars now. Best case the dealer will offer half off goodwill if you press them. That’s what they did for me and it was still quoted at $2500.

**A4B7Avant** · 12-14-2017 09:55 AM

I changed my CF when I got the car at 45K miles and it was in excellent shape. Of course some of the black coating had worn off, but the surface itself was almost glass smooth and scratch free.

**Trickassfoo** · 02-14-2018 11:48 PM

Car has been on the backburner for a bit, but now I have a list of parts here to order very soon. Wondering if anyone can chime in and tell me if I'm missing anything.

Intake cam revision J
Cam girdle bolts ×23
Cam adjuster housing gasket
Camshaft cap
Valve cover gasket
Intake mani gasket
Camshaft seal x2
Hpfp o ring
Coolant flange kit
Cam chain and tensioner
Silicone sealant for cam girdle (OEM is $100, is there a substitute?)
Tools
Polydrive #10 for camshaft adjuster
Cam lock tool t10252 (do I absolutely need this?)

Should I pull the head to make this job easier? Some people say yay, some say nay. If I do, are the head bolts polydrive or can I use my triple square set?
Head gasket kit is another 200 CAD but at this point it seems to be a small expense. Looking at around $1000 for the parts already

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**dalmation53** · 02-15-2018 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by Trickassfoo

Car has been on the backburner for a bit, but now I have a list of parts here to order very soon. Wondering if anyone can chime in and tell me if I'm missing anything.

Intake cam revision J
Cam girdle bolts ×23
Cam adjuster housing gasket
Camshaft cap
Valve cover gasket
Intake mani gasket
Camshaft seal x2
Hpfp o ring
Coolant flange kit
Cam chain and tensioner
Silicone sealant for cam girdle (OEM is $100, is there a substitute?)
Tools
Polydrive #10 for camshaft adjuster
Cam lock tool t10252 (do I absolutely need this?)

Should I pull the head to make this job easier? Some people say yay, some say nay. If I do, are the head bolts polydrive or can I use my triple square set?
Head gasket kit is another 200 CAD but at this point it seems to be a small expense. Looking at around $1000 for the parts already

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You absolutely need the polydrive for the head bolts. I bought mines on ebay for $30 i believe.