2011 CAEB 2.0t - Rebuild or Replace?

[Dani77]

I have a wonderful 2011 A5 2.0t Quattro with the well-known oil consumption. I’ve reached 115k miles and add a quart about every 200-300 miles.

The car has recently started misfiring. Replaced plugs, coils, fuel injectors (dealership diagnosed faulty one) - all to no avail. Cylinder 2 misfire, hide cylinder, random/multiple cylinder misfire codes persist.

I was planning on swapping my engine for a CPMB engine with 49k miles out of a 2016 A5 donor. But then I came across new class action websites and so many newer model engines (up to 2017) who still have this major issue. Who knows if the one I have my eyes on turns out to be one of them?

And now I’m wondering if it isn’t a better move to rebuild mine. The timing chain job was done about 1.5 years ago. She has a new catalytic converter (had to pass smog in CA and the old one was toast). Vacuum pump replaced, camshaft cradle resealed etc.

I’ve worked on my cars before but I’ve never rebuild an engine. But I also don’t have $7k to have a shop rebuild it. Your opinions and experiences on this are much appreciated. Thank you!


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[Smac770]

There's probably some cylinder investigation work to do first to see if it's recoverable. Bore scope, compression test, leak down test, try to find some idea of what's going on first.

Replacing just resets the luck meter. Rebuilding means you know exactly what you have. Check the B8 A4 forum; lot more activity of people working on the engines there.

[Dani77]

Mechanic just called - zero compression on cylinder 2. The other three are at 175 each. Time to find a replacement engine, I guess…


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[Smac770]

That doesn't really make the decision, unless there's an issue with the cylinder. If the other cylinders are fine, you might only need to replace that piston and rings (I assume they commonly change the piston on these engines when changing rings because the new rings are not compatible with the original pistons?). Be easier than bothering with all four pistons. Though if you were in there at that point, really might as do the work on all four. My engine is still good oil change to oil change after having the rings/pistons work done 160k miles ago.

But tearing it open and doing all that work, it might just be cheaper to get a replacement engine. At that mileage, AoA isn't going to step in and help at all. They covered the work on mine, but it was done at 84k miles (and the "warranty extension" on the issue was apparently 8yr/80k miles; the class action might get you more, but they tend to run out at 10yr/100k miles).

[Dani77]

I did contact AoA simply for the fact that I had the car looked at at one of their service centers right after I bought her and was told anything and everything that was wrong - but not that she was probably burning oil. At that time she was at 87k miles and I’m sure I could’ve gotten more help then compared to now at 115k miles and a non-drivable engine.

I thought about rebuilding versus the cost of a replacement. If I were to replace one piston, I’d do all four. Because all that work, taking apart, putting back together - only to have one of the other three potentially go sooner versus later.

What angers me most is the dealership - $249 for a misdiagnosis. No response when asking about that compression test they allegedly did. And I just dropped $400 in brand new fuel injectors and don’t even know if I could swap those into a CPMB engine (same size?).

It’s all a bit much - the mechanics I asked all say different things; either option is a lot of money; I can’t afford another car; this one doesn’t drive; I’m concerned whether the engine I want to buy is a good one; and I don’t really have any time before March to actually swap.

The only truly helpful crowd are you guys in the forums. So, thank you for responding to my questions. I appreciate it very much!


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[Smac770]

The CPM engine, all you're doing is grabbing the block/head basically. You're not actually swapping over from a gas only CAE engine to a flex fuel CPM engine, unless you plan on swapping over the ECM (which means immobilizer adaptation) and the in-tank fuel pump and the fuel quality sensor, etc. You're just using a later Gen2 engine to get the block, head, timing, etc.. You're going to be swapping over your fuel injectors, your intake manifold, your crank position sensor, your accessory bracket (B8.5 doesn't have a power steering pump), etc.

[Dani77]

I really can’t thank you enough for your input. I never swapped an engine. But given the $4,750 in labor I was quoted, I do think I will tackle this myself. I will have a place, the tools, and hopefully half a brain to pull it off…


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[Dani77]

And yes, the plan is just to get a newer engine without the oil consumption. I don’t really care about the flex fuel. So, I’ll hopefully get myself a decent replacement CPMB engine and start planning that swap. I’ve been watching NaptownTuner’s YouTube videos on how to remove the engine. He leaves the front intact (not even service position). But I think I want some room and will remove. Got to make a list of all the tools I need, order some gaskets, maybe a new turbo, and get it done…


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[Smac770]

I suggest you go to erwin.audiusa.com, pay for a day, get all the PDFs for your VIN. Then review the engine workshop manual to develop an understanding of the task sequence that'll be involved. Make note of all the bolts, gaskets, etc. that are defined "replace if removed". And have a framework of what's suppose to happen. Then augment that with visual references and "this makes it easier" type content. But ignorance of the details will make it a nightmare result.

Also, more than a few people in the B8 A4 forum have pulled and rebuilt their engines. So threads there, and you'll probably get more feedback on the process there than in the lower pop B8 A5 forum. Such as https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...refresh-Thread But note, ice has a B8.5, so he doesn't have to mess with the power steering pump, etc.

It's a straight forward task, so long as everything is done right.

[Dani77]

While I was fortunate to get a new job, that also meant that I had no time working on my ride. I tried ServiceUp (service is nice, the shop is pissing me off) since it seemed affordable and honestly, they offer financing as well - that was a deciding factor at the time. I need my car running. It’s been six weeks this Sunday. She is getting all valves replaced etc. The cylinder head looks good and the cylinder walls seem in good condition. The shop simply won’t do the pistons and rings and I can’t figure out why. So, I’m back at square one - do I finish rebuilding by having someone else install upgraded pistons (like the IE forged ones), put in a new turbo etc. or am I better off selling a partially rebuilt CAEB engine and swapping in a low mileage CPMB one? What would the hive mind do?


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[Freshshoes0505]

Any chance you have an update? I’m currently in a similar situation, where I know for sure my pistons are worn out but I never had a compression test. I’m leaning towards just getting a garage and a beater for the next few months, and rebuild it with new pistons. I’m so far with lost time and money that I can’t even imagine selling it to someone else. The problem with a used engine, imo, it’s only a matter of time vs. what I have already invested. If I had listened earlier to naptown tuner 2 years ago, I would’ve replaced the engine but I need to do the pistons now

[Dani77]

Any chance you have an update? I’m currently in a similar situation, where I know for sure my pistons are worn out but I never had a compression test. I’m leaning towards just getting a garage and a beater for the next few months, and rebuild it with new pistons. I’m so far with lost time and money that I can’t even imagine selling it to someone else. The problem with a used engine, imo, it’s only a matter of time vs. what I have already invested. If I had listened earlier to naptown tuner 2 years ago, I would’ve replaced the engine but I need to do the pistons now

Hi - circumstances in my case changed a bit (different job, no time). So I decided to have the engine rebuilt by a shop (2-year, 24k mile warranty on the finished work). It was the same for me - selling as-is didn’t make sense and I already put so much money into the car that I decided for the rebuild and not a replacement. I agree, a used engine sounded appealing. But that’s also - as someone said earlier - just a reset of the luck-o-meter. Who knows what would fail with the replacement engine. Hence the decision to get mine rebuilt. Good luck to you!


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[apeck240]

Any chance you have an update? I’m currently in a similar situation, where I know for sure my pistons are worn out but I never had a compression test. I’m leaning towards just getting a garage and a beater for the next few months, and rebuild it with new pistons. I’m so far with lost time and money that I can’t even imagine selling it to someone else. The problem with a used engine, imo, it’s only a matter of time vs. what I have already invested. If I had listened earlier to naptown tuner 2 years ago, I would’ve replaced the engine but I need to do the pistons now

Rebuild or build is my vote, the newer ones aren't necessarily any better for oil consumption, they just have less miles on average, and any decent one is prolly 3 or 4 grand

[Dani77]

Rebuild or build is my vote, the newer ones aren't necessarily any better for oil consumption, they just have less miles on average, and any decent one is prolly 3 or 4 grand

I agree - that’s the route I went. image000000.jpg
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[Dani77]

Had my engine rebuilt for $6k. Got the car back and drove about 50 miles (shop had driven her around 40 prior to that). Came to a stop at an intersection. When accelerating to make a right hand turn, the engine just shut off. No warning lights, no vibrations, no sounds - nothing. Had her towed right back to the shop and they found a broken camshaft. I’m so over this…I just want my car back and running smoothly.


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[Slick_B8]

Hi, so what did you end up doing? Sorry youre having such an unfortunate time with your car.