Service shocker

[kenny225]

Wife put the car in for a service Thursday and picked it up yesterday with a list of issues as long as my arm!!!!

I'I start with the most alarming ones

My Emmisions light had been on for a few weeks so I knew there was going to be some issues there, they have told me I require a new Inlet manifold at a cost of £2k fitted (Gulp)

The oil cooler pipes are apparently weeping but corroded (believe this is common) so a new cooler and pipes required at a cost of £1.2k (second gulp)

Front shocks require replacing, this includes all valves and tubes at a cost of £2.7k (falls on floor!!)


I'm currently out of the UK at present so cant say to much but plan on calling Audi regarding these issues on Monday, my question to you learnerd gentlemen is, do you think the front shocks would be covered under the DRC warrenty, has anyone any clue why the complete inlet manifold would need to changed out regarding the emissions warning light and has anyone managed to get the oil cooler hoses off without damaging the cooler.

There is also a raft of other items, like new tyres all round and rear discs, but at least I knew they were borderline

Appreciate any feedback, coz thats serious cash

Kenny

[HYFR]

whatever you do...DO NOT get your tyres and discs done at Audi, you'll save 50% doing it elsewhere

DRC should be covered assuming <5yrs <75k

Oil cooler - that was subject to a a service bulliten, so I'd argue FOC or goodwill at least

Inlet manifold - I had this problem, under warranty though ...

[adsgreen]

Mine (06) just had a recall for oil pipes. Apparently they can rub and wear through so worth getting that confirmed.

Most of the inlet manifold is going to be labour - I would look at having this done at a specialist but again, worth confirming the exact fault. IIRC vacumn tubes can cause this.

I would also imagine the DRC to be covered - very few cars would have reasched their 5th birthday by now but as far as understand you need to have full audi service history.
I've had different view from different dealers - one denied categorically that any extended Audi DRC warranty existed where as another volunteered the details without asking and even went through the official steps to diagnose and replace (you can guess which one now gets my business!)

[rs4v8]

whatever you do...DO NOT get your tyres and discs done at Audi, you'll save 50% doing it elsewhere

DRC should be covered assuming <5yrs <75k

Oil cooler - that was subject to a a service bulliten, so I'd argue FOC or goodwill at least

Inlet manifold - I had this problem, under warranty though ...

Feeling your pain Kenny

My manifold was changed when the car was 6mths old for what sounds like the same thing

aka_dk is right, shop around for tyres and discs. There was / is a guy on here called Virdee who might be able to help with the discs. He supplied a mate of mine a set for his V8 RS6 for a pretty good price. A trained monkey could fit them no probs. No point paying main dealer prices to supply and fit brakes and tyres. Black circles, my-tyres or Camskill are pretty cheap for tyres.

[kenny225]

Thanks for the tips so far guys,

I normaly go to my tyres for the tyres so will stick with them and can change the discs and pads easily myself so will save some money on that front.

It seems strange that they need to change the complete manifold to cure the issue, the car doesn't run any different with the warning light being on, so wondering what the actual issue is?

Cheers again

Kenny

[pad125]

I’d be very suspicious about the manifold Kenny, ask them what the specific problem is with it. DRC, well you could fill you day reading about that one. ’Remind’ them about Audi UK’s offer of 75k and 5years. I’m guessing they don’t want to go down that route with you because they (the dealer) have to find half the money now under Audi’s new ’good will’ scheme

[Brooner]

I would phone Audi coutomer services and see about a discount for all that

[rs4v8]

Thanks for the tips so far guys,

I normaly go to my tyres for the tyres so will stick with them and can change the discs and pads easily myself so will save some money on that front.

It seems strange that they need to change the complete manifold to cure the issue, the car doesn't run any different with the warning light being on, so wondering what the actual issue is?

Cheers again

Kenny

From memory, there was a sensor in mine which wasn't showing sensor mismatch (position) correctly and registering a fault. As you say it didn't drive badly at all. Sounds like a simple fix but it was a new manifold it needed.

[kenny225]

Mine (06) just had a recall for oil pipes. Apparently they can rub and wear through so worth getting that confirmed.

Most of the inlet manifold is going to be labour - I would look at having this done at a specialist but again, worth confirming the exact fault. IIRC vacumn tubes can cause this.

I would also imagine the DRC to be covered - very few cars would have reasched their 5th birthday by now but as far as understand you need to have full audi service history.
I've had different view from different dealers - one denied categorically that any extended Audi DRC warranty existed where as another volunteered the details without asking and even went through the official steps to diagnose and replace (you can guess which one now gets my business!)

£1300 plus VAT for the manifold alone, pretty expensive

[Revolution]

Hi Kenny

Get photo's and a full explanaition on the manifold before you commit.

Go for KW's as an alternative to the DRC'c

Braided hose splitting......I'm sure there must be a manufacturer in the tuning industry that can get you a replacement without having to replace the oil cooler.
We sell plenty of oil cooler kits and I would think a braided hose would be no more than £50 on its own.
I could try Goodridge for you if you wish but I would need the part sent down to them to price up.

We can mail you tyres down also and save you a lot of £££'s......

Send me a PM and I will give you more advice and any contact details to help you out.

Good luck with it and I'm sure the dealers arent ripping you off but you have other options than replacing with OEM parts.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Glenn

[SR71]

Manifold is just a bit of metal isn't it....with some manifold flaps...presumably the car still runs fine(?) with the light on?

If you ask me, there is no way this is the source of the problem.

Get it to someone with VAGCOM or ask Audi exactly what the fault is first. That light can illuminate for all kinds of issues.

My first port of call would be Doug at MRC.

Like others have mentioned DRC is covered under warranty to 5 years/75K miles.

[kenny225]

Hi Kenny

Get photo's and a full explanaition on the manifold before you commit.

Go for KW's as an alternative to the DRC'c

Braided hose splitting......I'm sure there must be a manufacturer in the tuning industry that can get you a replacement without having to replace the oil cooler.
We sell plenty of oil cooler kits and I would think a braided hose would be no more than £50 on its own.
I could try Goodridge for you if you wish but I would need the part sent down to them to price up.

We can mail you tyres down also and save you a lot of £££'s......

Send me a PM and I will give you more advice and any contact details to help you out.

Good luck with it and I'm sure the dealers arent ripping you off but you have other options than replacing with OEM parts.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Glenn

Thanks Glenn,

I'I keep you in mind, once I get back to UK I'I take a look at the cooler issue myself and see if I can remove the hoses and replace them, I'm going to call Audi monday and get all the info on the manifold as I'm not going to spend 2k without getting a full breakdown of the findings.

Kenny

[Revolution]

Sounds like a plan to me

[pippyrips]

I wouldn't be surprised if the fault with the manifold is the flaps as I've heard of others cracking. The manifold it's self is metal as already pointed out so there isn't anything else that could cause the problem. If it is the flaps I don't know if they can be replaced on their own but usual Audi form is to replace rather than repair.

If you are out of warranty I'd get it to a Specialist for a 2nd opinion and cheaper labour rates - You won't go wrong with MRC. That said all of the faults listed are well known issues so I would definitely try Audi UK first.

What's the history of the car?

[P_G]

I would also ask for the fault code/s associated with the manifold. When you drove it was the engine mangement light on or the EPC light. I only ask because mine also intermitently comes on and off and it is down to a sensor.

That said and pertaining to RS4V8's comment, did they say which senor needed the whole inlet manifold replacing? Mine is the tumble flap sensor and you can replace the sensor without the manifold and IIRC they are the only sensors in the manifold?

Not doubting you but curious.

Others have covered DRC, new oil cooler can be had on E-bay from £300 and TPS for much the same. IIRC Motorwerks is your nearest independent, see what they say but take it for a 2nd opinion if out of warranty and you don't want to pay Audi prices. About tyres and brakes however, some dealers will price match, may be worth asking if yours will. Brakes £500 per pair of discs.