Had the s4 one day, check engine light and funny smell...

[pingdashf]

Before anyone says "the buyers guide said to check for funny smells" I did follow the buyers guide to the letter. Checked everything, drove it hard for a good 30 minute test drive, came back and checked everything again. There was no sign of any smell then.

So, feeling like I had just found my dream car in great shape and below average miles I bought it and drove it 300 miles home. Since 300 miles is one tank of gas and all highway driving it wasn't until I got off the interstate at my exit and pulled to a stop light that the smell, very subtle, but there none-the-less, appeared. As soon as the car is moving the smell goes away, i assume because the smell only comes in when the heater sucks it into the cabin at idle stop lights and such.

I immediately start to panic because the buyers guide was very clear on funny smells and I got scared. I got it home and opened her up and found that below the oil opening (where you put the oil, i don't know the technical term for it) there appeared to be a little burnt oil coming out of a bolt. I assumed that it was a simple oil leak or something (there are such things as simple oil leaks, right?) so I scheduled an appointment with the local audi dealer for early next week.

Then on the way home tonight, the check engine light comes on. I moved the appointment to tomorrow.

Is there anyway, without the VAG-COM (i don't even know what a VAG-COM is) to figure out what code the check engine light is throwing? I have a 2000 Dodge SUV that when the light comes on I can flip the ignition switch three times real fast to get the code to pop up on the odometer. Is there anything like that here? I know the dealership will tell me tomorrow, but if it is something big I'd like to know asap so I can get the "how do I return this lemon" ball rolling as fast as possible. I already emailed the dealer I bought it from to complain.

Sorry for the long drawn out post, any help (or sympathy) is appreciated.

[gavsteryoung]

pingdashf,

oil leaks from the rocker cover gaskets are normal... well not normal but common. Often they leak a little and the oil travels to the end of the block then drips onto the turbo heat sheild giving you a nice burnt oil smell when stationary. I'm pretty sure that is what the problem is with the smells.

As for the error code, the only way to tell is using a VAGCOM device, as far as im aware. Since you are in the states maybe its worth asking on audiworld if there are any S4 owners in the area that can help. But since its now today and your probably taking it to the garage then its a bit late.

Let us know how you get on and what the dealer says....

regards

Gavin

[pingdashf]

Welp, got the results back from the dealer. He said it had four faults, the first being a torque converter, and that when the torque converter goes it needs a new tranny. He quoted me $9,700 USD ($5,500 GBP) to fix it. $5,700 in the tranny and $4k in labor.

Then he went on to say that the Valve Covers and Cam were leaking oil, and that was the funny smell. The tie rods need to be replaced, and the CV joint on the drivers side is leaking axle grease. And, they were still going through the rest of the faults.

The dealer I bought it from hasn't commented (he said, "Let me call you back tonight"). I don't know what I can do at this point.

[CliveH]

Take it back to the dealer and ask for your money back!

[Nige_RS4]

Is the dealer part of AoA? Did you have an after-market, or an Audi assured warranty? Regardless, I would also be inclined to take it back, get a full refund and find another one that has been cared for.

[DavidT]

I agree with Nige & Clive.

Get the issues in writing - a quote will suffice.

How many days from purchase at dealer (a) to fault diagnosis at dealer (b) ?

The selling dealer cannot defend that position (unless I've missed something obvious?) and will either need to put everything right, offer a refund or offer you another car.

Get on the web and get a copy of any warranty terms that are applicable. I don't know about commercial terms in the US, we have sale of goods act here, basically what you have been sold needs to be 'fit for purpose' find the relevant law ready for the discussion you have with dealer (a).

Show dealer (a) the quote for the repairs and take it from there.

[CliveH]

Good advice David.

[pingdashf]

"Dealer A" is not AoA but a regular-joe used car dealer not affiliated with anyone but who only sells "bavarian sport" cars. I bought the car from him, after finding it on eBay. I bought it on eBay (here is the auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... %3AIT&rd=1) on Thursday and put a $500 deposit down on Friday. I flew to North Caronia (about 300 miles from home) on Sunday and that is when I performed the self inspection and road test mentioned in the first post.

Thinking everything was ok I paid the remaining balance Sunday night and drove it back home to Northern Virginia. The funny smell appeared only after making it all the way back to Virginia (300 miles). I immediately called one of the local AoA dealers ("Dealer B") and scheduled an appointment. They originially scheduled the appointment for a week and a day later (which would have been 1 week and 2 days from purchase/pickup) but when the "Check Engine Light" came on Monday night (less than 24 hours after purchase) I immediately called and had the appointment moved up to the next day, Tuesday.

Tuesday is when "Dealer B" gave me the prognosis. I immediately contacted "Dealer A" to see what my options were and he was in disbelief that the car could have a bad tranny. He said he'd have to call me back later and did not. Evidently it is unheard of to have the tiptronic go out at less than 42,000 miles.

So today is Wednesday. I have the car back, I am taking it to a second shop today, this time a non-Audi affiliated german sport car specialist for a second opinion, we can call them "Shop C". I am also going to have them clear the codes to see if it comes back shortly.

I have a quote and fault codes printout from "Dealer B" and I also had it faxed to me (fax seems like a nice legally binding, timestamped method) and I will do the same with "Shop C".

I am also going to track down "Dealer A" today to let hear my options.

[CliveH]

Assuming you're otherwise happy with the car, it sounds like your best option might be to get Dealer A to pay for putting the car right (with Dealer B or Shop C). I would also give Dealer A the option of taking the car back and refunding your money - you might also push for a bit extra to cover your expenses and inconvenience. I'm sure you'll be faxing Dealer A with your findings and options.

The biggest problem will be getting your money out of Dealer A. Have you investigated whether it is a limited company, partnership, sole trader, etc and what the financial position of that entity is?

You should also consider the remote possibility that Dealer A may be watching this forum...

Good luck.

[pingdashf]

So, also for your enjoyment and input... Here is the list of fault codes. I'd appreciate any input. Has anyone seen a tiptronic die before (am I the only person who get's an automic sports car?)

Diagnostic time expenditure (DTE): 14
Fault memory contents:

Motronic Fuel Injection and Ignition System ME 7 8D0907551J
2.7IV6/5VT G 0002
Coding 6751
Dealership number 06435

3 Fault(s) detected

16826 P0442 035
EV AP Emission Control System (Small Leak) Leak Detected Sporadic fault

17831 P1423 035
Secondary Air Injection System, Bank1 Flow too Low Sporadic fault

18032 P1624 035
MIL Request Signal. active

Automatic Transmission 01V 8D0927156BS
AG5 01V 2.715VT USA 3132 Coding 2
Dealership number 06435

1 Fault(s) detected

17125 P0741 035
Torque Converter Clutch Circ Performance or Stuck Off Sporadic

Central Locking 8L0862257N
CV-Pump D11
Coding 16140 Dealership number 06435
Diagnosis log

7 Fault(s) detected

00955 009
Key 1
Adaptation limit exceeded

00956 009
Key 2
Adaptation limit exceeded

01366 035
Opened Via Crash Signal

01367 035
Switch on Via CL Pump

01370 035
Alarm Via Interior Scanning

01371 035
Alarm Via Door Contact Switch Driv. Side

01374 035
Alarm Via Terminal 15

[CliveH]

Cant help you on the fault codes (but there's plenty on here who can), but I have to say I didnt know there was tiptronic B5 S4 - was it only available in the USA?

[pingdashf]

The biggest problem will be getting your money out of Dealer A. Have you investigated whether it is a limited company, partnership, sole trader, etc and what the financial position of that entity is?

You should also consider the remote possibility that Dealer A may be watching this forum...

Good luck.

Dealer A is incorporated in the state of north carolina.

I have considered that the dealer may be watching. I haven't said anything bad about the dealer. There is the possibility that the dealer will just make it right. And the thought of having a public record of this conversation has crossed my mind.

[CliveH]

I hope that the dealer is of good standing and will deal with the matter in a proper manner and to your entire satisfaction.

You (and no one else for that matter) have said anything "bad" about the dealer. I was simply alerting you to the possibilty (and I do think it's remote) that he may have access to your debate and strategy.

[gavsteryoung]

pingdashf

Now you have the print out, get the codes cleared, and see which ones return. If you find the car is running fine and the gearbox works smoothly and kicks down etc I can see a problem. Did the tiptronic S4 come with paddles? Me thinks no....

The ECU's are pretty good but fault codes can be generated by something bizzare. Maybe a lack of Automatic gear box fluid or something.....

[gavsteryoung]

BTW it looks a beautiful Car!