New RS4 mostly fantastic, but a couple of minor snags

[AndrewRS4Avant]

In October I bought a 56 reg RS4 Avant from Merv Hannam in Bournemouth, so far very pleased with my experience.

Mostly every time I drive the car, the tyre pressure monitoring system warning indicator lights up. The manual says the symbol means the car has lost contact with one of the wheel sensors for a number of possible reasons. I have tried resetting the TPMS system from the dash menu but it persists. This is covered by Merv Hannam's warranty and I'm about to obtain a quote from Bristol Audi to plug the computer in and diagnose what sensor is causing the problem.

Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar issue and what the fix was?

The second issue is that the steering wheel is not quite straight when the car is moving in a straight line. I estimate the steering wheel is at about 1'o clock, not 12'o clock. Audi advise me to get the tracking checked in case it is out resulting in accelerated tyre wear.

I am concerned there may have been some damage previously to cause it to be so far out in the first place, or perhaps a tracking adjustment has not been done properly. Any suggestions on what could cause the steering wheel to be about 20 degrees out?

The final thing that was wrong that I have resolved was the exhaust flaps. They were stuck shut With a bit of intervention with the wooden handle of a hammer they are now stuck fully open. Is there any reason (apart from noise regs) not to have them permanently open?

[adsgreen]

TPMS - the sensors are pretty cheap if they are what I think they are. They do have a battery lifespan so I wouldn't worry unduly until it gets checked out.

The steering is likely to be fine - a small amount out can be caused by a tiny tracking adjustment or uneven tyre wear. If the previous owner replaced only one front wheel it'll knock out the steering wheel angle. Worth getting an alignment check to make sure it's just the tracking/wheels thats causing it.

As for the exhaust flaps... This could be a faulty/kinked vacumn hose and this will affect other things and required the engine manifold off to check and fix. Something like 4-8 hours just to remove and refit let alone diagnostics.

[Terry1948]

I would go to a hunter equiped wheel aligment centre and get them to track your car correctly I am sure this will sort out your wheel problem and they will tell you if anything is bent.

[neckarsulm]

Re tyre presssure:
I had this when a wheel refurbisher put a sensor on from another car and my car didn't recognise it . Read the manual as there is a reset procedure for when you change pressures but there is also a learn procedure to introduce a new sensor - the latter worked for me.

Re tracking:
As Terry says just get it on a 4 wheel aligner, Beissbarth is another good brand.

Re flaps:
Sounds like your vacuum system is all messed up which is common. MRC say that if this is the case you will be well down on power.

You need to find an good Audi Centre (hard) or find a good specialist, where are you based?

[RS6chris!]

You getting the kick at 5500rpm??? If not i think that is linked to exhaust valves and vacumn issues??

[RS6Steve]

Ha, ha... Do you have an RFID tag in the car? Like work access or something similar?

[PetrolDave]

TPMS - the sensors are pretty cheap if they are what I think they are. They do have a battery lifespan so I wouldn't worry unduly until it gets checked out.

Check the price of the sensors on ETKA...

The battery lifespan is estimated at "more than 4 years", so we can expect them to start needing replacing on several of our cars soon. And no you cannot replace the battery, you have to replace the sensor.

[neckarsulm]

I paid £40 I think from GSF in September, made by BERU, £60 from VW
I didn't need a new one as it happened, I should have just done the learn procedure

[AndrewRS4Avant]

Thanks for all the speedy and helpful replies!

Ok I need to locate somewhere to get the tracking checked, I am based in the South West UK.

Yes I certainly do get the hyper speed kick at 5500RPM so it would appear the additional engine air intake flaps are opening as they should. I think the exhaust issue is just that the exhaust flaps are very stiff. Perhaps the previous owner was too sensible for the sport button so they never got used... After pushing back open, the exhaust flap on one side was shutting occasionally due to the vacuum actuator. Nothing that a couple of tiewraps on the actuator shaft couldn't deal with to stop the shaft retracting and closing the valves. I presumed this would not cause any damage as it's only a piston and vacuum system, i.e. not like I'm stopping a motor from turning.

Do you people always run 99 RON petrol? Will this reduce the chances of valves coking up with carbon and other crap:

http://www.tyresmoke.net/forum/audi-rs/ ... y-rs4.html

[neckarsulm]

Yes I certainly do get the hyper speed kick at 5500RPM so it would appear the additional engine air intake flaps are opening as they should. I think the exhaust issue is just that the exhaust flaps are very stiff. Perhaps the previous owner was too sensible for the sport button so they never got used... After pushing back open, the exhaust flap on one side was shutting occasionally due to the vacuum actuator. Nothing that a couple of tiewraps on the actuator shaft couldn't deal with to stop them retracting and closing. I presumed this would not cause any damage as it's only a piston and vacuum system, i.e. not like I'm stopping a motor from turning.

Lubricate the linkage for the flaps with some spray lube, at warm idle you should be able to see them opening and closing as per sport button.
I just find it weird that both don't open and close.

Until you properly check with VAG COM that the intake air flap is opening, I wouldn't assume it is as it's not just this that creates the 5000ish rpm surge.

I run 97 as 99 isn't available much.
As for coking up, it's a bit of a touchy subject..

[RS6chris!]

Certainly need to lubricate the exhaust valves in this weather as the actuators get covered in salt and other crap!!!

[HYFR]

bloody tpms ... all the RS 6 ones are dead ... £100+ to replace

now it seems the same fate will meet the RS 4

[PetrolDave]

bloody tpms ... all the RS 6 ones are dead ... £100+ to replace

now it seems the same fate will meet the RS 4

Because of the design of the sensors, it was inevitable from day one - so it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

[neckarsulm]

Because of the design of the sensors, it was inevitable from day one - so it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

at least it's not main dealer only
I personally find it very useful but then I am anal about tyre pressures.

[PetrolDave]

I personally find it very useful but then I am anal about tyre pressures.

+1

I would have liked Audi to integrate the TPMS properly with the RNS-E though. The "CAR" button is a complete joke on the RNS-E and showing the TPMS data (pressure, temperature and battery state) for every wheel sensor woiuld have turned it it a really good safety feature. The data is available on the CAN bus so it would take no more than a software upgrade...