Seized Crankshaft

[R56WUF]

I don’t believe so.

Is there an easy way of uploading a video on here as I have a video of me attempting to start the car while waiting for the breakdown provider?

Upload to YouTube and link here perhaps?

That works!

https://youtu.be/Cswx4q71TSg

[R56WUF]

Hi Nobby

The chap can’t see anything down the spark plug holes unfortunately.

I’m at a bit of a crossroads now, pending feedback to my last questions regarding physically checking the engine oil sump and checking whether it is absolutely zero movement in the crank shaft or if there is just a small amount.

[simonpoulton]

Are you definitely sure your battery is fully charged? The reading looks pretty low, and when you try to turn your engine over the whole system voltage drops to nothing, knocking out the entire electrics. Just to reiterate my experience, I couldn't jump start mine even from a 2l diesel BMW. I did a 12amp charge overnight (10 hours) and started on the button the next morning. These batteries are pretty massive.

[MeTsU]

Are you definitely sure your battery is fully charged? The reading looks pretty low, and when you try to turn your engine over the whole system voltage drops to nothing, knocking out the entire electrics. Just to reiterate my experience, I couldn't jump start mine even from a 2l diesel BMW. I did a 12amp charge overnight (10 hours) and started on the button the next morning. These batteries are pretty massive.

I have to agree, it looks a little odd that everything tanks so "easily". Any way for you to easily get the battery checked first before delving into the more costly inspections?

[chunky79]

Seems like you have a bad connection, and a really dirty dash!
Edit- could also be a dead battery, even if you have a jump pack on at the same time.

[R56WUF]

Thanks chaps

Wouldn’t I be right in saying that the crank shaft should move by hand though, even if the fault was electrical? Happy to be educated!

[simonpoulton]

By hand, do you mean by attaching a breaker bar on the big bolt that holds the pulley on the front of the engine?

[R56WUF]

As a bit more background - given the battery related comments - when the car had its timing belt etc done, I also had the starter motor and alternator replaced as preventative maintenance due to the age and mileage.

About six weeks later the car had a flat battery and was jump started. We then had the battery replaced by an Audi centre so it’s a new battery and correct spec. When the car had to be jump started it was immediately after fuelling and the car made the normal starter motor ‘tat tat tat’. If jump started fine and the battery was replaced a few days later.

The car had also been in storage for some time (months) before it had its overhaul. Obviously the car didn’t start first time after it was stored but prior to that it started absolutely fine. The only issue I’ve had with starting it since then was 1) as above, and 2) as per the video.

[R56WUF]

By hand, do you mean by attaching a breaker bar on the big bolt that holds the pulley on the front of the engine?

The garage have simply told me that the crankshaft is seized and unfortunately I’m about 150 miles away from them so haven’t seen it stripped down.

[Siph3r]

You might just have been so unlucky when restarting, somehow the starter jammed the the whole thing?


I would first remove starter and see if then engine can be turned. Also check connections in that area.

Just my 0.02£

[R56WUF]

I’m quite emotively neutral on the situation, which is quite unlike me! Whatever it is will get sorted, I simply love the car. The RS6 was the first car that really made me giggle, when I first drove one in 2003, and this is my second now.

I just don’t want to throw money at a problem which may not need it being thrown at.

My frustration is that we still don’t know what the cause is, and given the condition of the car, along with the recent maintenance, as well as the speed I was travelling and how quickly I turned it off simply due to an inkling, I hope/think it can’t be anything ridiculously huge.

Of course, I’ve been wrong before...

[simonpoulton]

I have to ask - how confident are you in this garage that it has been taken to? Was it just a close one to where the breakdown occurred?

[ahoooga]

Don't know where you or the car is, but you can always get it AA/RAC'd to MRC or Unit 20.

[R56WUF]

They specialise in S and RS cars, and they are nice guys, but they have said they may need to have the car taken to a local engine specialist. They have stripped the car down though to the service position to inspect the timing belt and tensioners.

We’ve had a couple of minor issues (jubilee clamp being overtighted on a power steering hose) but they have provided a very high level of customer service so far, so I don’t want to criticise them. It’s not my way of doing things.

I think we are getting to a situation though where we may be moving the car, which is becoming a mutual decision. Unfortunately being in Scotland once we get past the one or two Audi specialists we aren’t spoilt for choice.

[R56WUF]

Don't know where you or the car is, but you can always get it AA/RAC'd to MRC or Unit 20.

Adrian Flux transported the car down from Aberdeen to the central belt already.