HELP PLEASE

[Batfinnk]

Went out yesterday and car was fine. Been out there today and have replaced both drivers side top arms. Went for a run afterwards and now the car is running like a pig. Lumpy and chugging and feels like more like right bank but can't see anything obvious hangin off or loose and no warning lights on dash. I don't have access to VCDS so any suggestions anyone. Also it now sounds really cammy from the inlet manifold if that makes sense. Could it be something silly like a dodgy oil filter as I changed the oil and filter sunday but as I said it did 10 miles absolutely fine yesterday. I popped the oil filter back off just now and could hear it drainng out the chamber as I pulled it out. I think this is normal.

[Batfinnk]

Just unplugged my maf and it sounded a little better. Plugged it back in and now my engine light is on permanently and there is a clank from the engine when I rev it to about 3k. Any thoughts. Have just bought a code reader so will see what that shows up.

[xyber]

Too much oil? Whip a plug out for a look or take the hose off the MAF and look what state it's in inside.

Could just be the MAF failed as a coincidence or it got knocked. When you unplug the MAF it kicks back to lambda regulation, like a back up plan.

But yeah. Scan if first

[Batfinnk]

Right. Did a scan and got 3 codes stored. Two were P0011 and one was P0021. Cleared these and started the car. Sounded a bit better but still not 100%. Ran it for a couple of minutes and rescanned and got P0345 and P0340. They all refer to cam sensor. Is this an engine out job. Also have noticed that the start up rattle has stopped completely since the oil change. Could this be related and one of my tensioners or guides has given up or just coincidence?

[xyber]

I'd get a proper Vagcom scan, you'll have more detail

[Batfinnk]

The scanner I have does have a description too not just the code. I don't know anyne around this way with VCDS tbh. It does have a live data section but all the data doesn't mean much tbh.

[adsgreen]

P0345 specific to bank 2 - try swapping the sensors to see if the code changes?

[Batfinnk]

I did some online searching for these fault codes and it may be just one bank with a fault but some of these code readers go a bit back to front in terms of which bank is actually at fault. I'm going to try replacing the sensors first rather than just pulling the engine. Lot easier to do the sensors as can both be changed in place thank god.

[Batfinnk]

The only other thing I did touch was where the loom goes through the bulk head it was sticking out slightly so repositioned it. Could it be something like a chaffed wire in the loom on the bend and moving it has disturbed it and lost contact?

[Batfinnk]

Had a look at the loom and no change there. Have ordered some new cam sensors and will try them first. Is there anyone local to me with VCDS who fancies being a good samaritan and running a scan on it to give me some more detailed info please? I make a wicked cup of tea/coffee and bacon sarny

[Batfinnk]

My new sensors have arrived just gutted that I have put my back out and can't currently get out of bed to fit them

[Batfinnk]

And the saga continues. Just fitted the new sensors, cleared the fault codes and still exactly the same. Spoke to mid kent technical and they reckon at a guess the timing is out so it looks like engine out time. Not bloody impressed.

[S4quattroCab]

Sorry to hear that mate, that's bad news. I worry about this sort of thing being a B6 owner but I thought the B7's had upgraded tensioners and guides, if that's where the problem lies that is. I have the odd misfire on scans and have had pretty extensive testing and I think the only thing left would be to have the engine out so I can certainly sympathise with you. I shall follow this thread closely and I wish you the best of luck in getting to the bottom of this and getting your S4 back up to where it should be.

[Batfinnk]

Quick update. Spoke to Ben at AMD and they quoted nearly £4000 to replace all the chains,guides, tensioners plus sprokets and cam adjusters. I can't afford or warrant spending that much on it tbh. The parts come to about £1400. Ben sent me the part numbers of all the bits so will be ordering them and hopefully have found a local workshop with some room so will be pulling the engine and box and fitting all the bits myself. May take a while as am currently battling with the csa with them over charging me by over £300 a month so money is tight at the moment but luckily I have my van for work so can do it at my leisure. Will update as and when works starts.

[S4quattroCab]

Ouch, sorry to hear this Batfink. I hope all goes well and good luck. Major work and hats off and great respect to you for taking it on. All the best and please keep us posted as I'm sure there are plenty of us interested in how you get on. As said before, I thought B7's were supposed to have an upgraded type version of the tensioners/ guides/ chain assembly set up to the B6 to avoid this sort of thing happening.