Cylinder Head may have gone

Post by **Adams RS** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 2:56 pm

Car went in for the airduct update and I also mentioned it was losing coolant, topped it up twice (only went down abit) and it's done 4200 miles, been in two days get a phone call today and they recon the head maybe gone and they have got to compression test it then send the data back to Audi Germany to find out what to do.. Won't have the car back for abit

Anyone heard of this happening on these engines?

Also anything to look out for after it's fixed, for example any other parts being damaged because of it...

Post by **doodlebug** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 3:26 pm

If you've had no obvious signs then it could be the gasket has failed between the coolant gallery and the cylinder meaning it'll be heading out the exhaust. If there's not a significant gap then you'll not notice. Until you start getting a misfire.

Had this experience with my R32, after which a vowed not to deal with VW again, they proved to be a bunch of clueless tossers.

However fear not you should have no problems, but I'm not sure I'd be keen on that level of major surgery on a car so young. Whilst they'll replace head/gasket/bolts/o-rings/fluids/etc there's always the nagging doubt as to what may happen down the line.

They'll check the rad/pump/thermostat as well as a part of the pressure test.

I'd keep my powder dry, see what the verdict is, but, cite Dave's experience, they ordered a new car for something not that much more significant.

Post by **Adams RS** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:13 pm

Thanks for your points, will keep you all updated once I hear back from Audi on what the problem actually is and what they are going to do about it..

As you mentioned just abit worried on what could happen down the line.

Might have to see what avenue Dave took with his.

In the mean time I've got an A5 170bhp oil burner, If I'm not getting the car back for a long time I might ask for the S5 I had last time it was in as that was more fun

Post by **doodlebug** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:22 pm

I'd be asking to look at the head. Are they are saying it has overheated and warped so much they can't skim it, or worse still it has cracked. Crack or mega warp indicates significant local heating. The tolerances for skimming are very low, possible there's no tolerance at all with this head, though it's not complex.

If you're going to be out of the car for a while you're entitled to something similar.....most dealers are pretty good about this. If they need to do the head (and you agree to it), it'll be a 2-3 day job, plus lead time for any parts.

Post by **Adams RS** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 4:56 pm

By the sound of it they are not 100% why it is losing coolant, but the service advisor said they think it's leaking from the head but don't know where or why.. That's why everything is going back to Germany for guidance.

The water temp on the dial never went above normal.. But not sure if that would indicate anything.

Will see what they say tomorrow I guess and let you know, will ask for full details of what's needed before I agree..

But guessing I couldn't refuse to have it done?

Post by **doodlebug** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:18 pm

It's a moot point, refusing point blank won't win any awards, but I'd be clear on what the issue is, what the proposal is and understand the potential pitfalls, you can then pitch your argument.

Post by **Adams RS** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:45 pm

doodlebug wrote:It's a moot point, refusing point blank won't win any awards, but I'd be clear on what the issue is, what the proposal is and understand the potential pitfalls, you can then pitch your argument.

thanks for the advise

Post by **Dave_Hedgehog** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:08 pm

my engine was lunched completely, audi didn't even attempt to fix it they put a new one in the car

i had also had a raft of other faults with the car, i think i got a fri evening lemon and it appears my car had been dropped (underside damage) from the time of the test drive to the time i picked it up with 1900 miles on it, the steering was out 20 degrees when i picked it up and some of the geometry was out 8 degrees !!

i had everything documents, faults, visit dates, pictures, videos etc

getting a call logged with audi CS with a ref number helped a lot and walton audi where superb, however i suspect they know exactly how my car got damaged in the first place and how the windscreen and bonnet got peppered with stone chips (50+), they where also a bit naughty in implying the order book was closed so that i took the demo car

all came good in the end, 6 months of stress and grief

5 days and 1000 miles in an R8 spyder would have cost me 3k+ in rental fees

new car is bang on

downside is i now have to buy an R8 spyder

Post by **SteveCuz** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:44 pm

You have me a little worried as I had to top up the coolant a while back but haven't had to since.

Steve

Post by **Adams RS** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:50 pm

Steve hopefully yours is just settling, mine went from max line to min line twice in 4000 miles if that's any help.

Post by **Adams RS** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 7:53 pm

Dave did they just offer to give you the R8 or did you ask? Everway nice gesture

Post by **Dave_Hedgehog** » Thu Sep 27, 2012 8:16 pm

Adams RS wrote:Dave did they just offer to give you the R8 or did you ask? Everway nice gesture

I asked but I think they suspected I would fall in live with it and have to buy one

Post by **Adams RS** » Fri Sep 28, 2012 4:03 pm

Update from Audi:-

'We have done what Audi technical have requested by carrying out the pressure test overnight and the coolant level did drop back down But the cylinders did not fill with water as we would have expected. We have given out report back to technical and are still waiting a response At the moment. As soon as we have some news from then with regards to repairs I will let you know.'

Post by **Adams RS** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:22 pm

Still no car...

Current update

with regards to the repairs on your vehicle we have spoken to technical and with the results of the tests we have carried out so far, they would like us to now strip down the engine in sections and continue to report as we do.

Once we have commenced this process and I have some further info for you I will email you straight away.

Post by **doodlebug** » Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:56 pm

If you haven't done so get on to Audi UK. This is now a different ball game. Stay polite....

They are dismantling your nearly new 45k pride and joy (play this card without coming across as a window licker!). Meanwhile you're in a somewhat lesser car. I would start to make noise about replacement vehicle. Given that your going to be without a car for a while, an R8 would be nice.

Whichever way you look at it, having a dealer strip and repair an engine is introducing infant mortality and cannot be to factory standard (they will of course debate this).

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