Results of S4 Turbo Failure Poll

[Nige_RS4]

Makes interesting reading, as a number of failures have been due to the F-hose, which is not talked about much in the UK. Was it introduced in later models ?

Turbo Poll Results

Happy reading [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[smurfbus]

f-hose was in before 2001.5 I believe?

I have also replaced a torn f-hose. It's part of the vacuum system.

[DavidT]

Depressing.

I had a torn TBB which the dealer swapped and put the old one in a bag for me to keep [img]images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

The drivers side turbo failed three months after that at 50k miles. Play the bearing was causing it to touch the housing [img]images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] what a noise.

Turbo's replaced under warranty with a £ 3.3k bill.

I reckon a boost gauge would have ensured it was spotted immediately an that VAG should fit them to all high performance turbo cars.

[sitas3]

David, I agree that our cars should have boost gauges, as well as Oil pressure gauges which the S3 for example does not have - rather than relying on a poxy light..

[DavidT]

The B5 S4 has oil temp but not pressure and a voltage gauge(what use is that?)

[Nige_RS4]

I suggest that everyone go check their F'in F-hoses this weekend - here's how. [img]images/graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]

[smurfbus]

I couldn't feel the split. I saw it with a telescope mirror after I removed the passenger side dv. the tear is usually in the joint between the two downtubes.

[Joshie]

I think the benefits of proper cool down procedures and regularly checking the F hoses and TBB should be made clearer to S4 owners, particularly after having major modifications like KO4's carried out by the principal tuners.

When you get a set of brakes fitted by AmD you get a handout explaing running in. Surely there should be something similar for the major modifications such as the KO4's.

[DavidT]

Too true.

Do all S4's have an F hose ? I've not checked mine if it has [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

[Dippy]

When you get a set of brakes fitted by AmD you get a handout explaing running in.

I didn't [img]images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] - I just had verbal advice from Scott.

There's no F-hose on my 2001 S4.

The other dimension about the US survey is that AFAIK a lot of US dealers used mineral or semi-synth in the S4s over there. This is partly due to the service agreements where oil changes are free, so the dealers are encouraged to use cheap oil. This in itself does not cause turbo failure, but when coupled with no idling before shutdown and turbo oil line bore too narrow...

[DuncS3]

Very of topic, I apologise but RE the brakes, I didn't get a piece of paper either and I have had two sets of Porsche brakes fitted. For the first I got verbal explanation like Dippy, for the second I did'nt get told anything.

Dunc

[Joshie]

Don't want to drag this any further off topic but I certainly got an AmD-typed slip of paper explaining about bedding the brakes in. Seems that they don't do it for everyone though.

More on topic and given the cost of turbo failure they would be advised to get the typewriter out again for the all important turbo-failure-avoidance-advice IMO.