I dont drive it much but towards the back end of last year I noticed my RS4 was intermittently not starting on first attempt, this was only intermittent initially but it gradually became more and more frequent basically ALL the symptoms of a started motor on its way out, more progressive on cold mornings and still hearing the relays clicking before it eventually fired up, was always at the back of my mind to sort, would have even attempted it myself but work was consuming a fair amount of my time and family life. Scanned it a few times with VCDS and showed the below again leading me to starter.,.
Address 01: Engine Labels:. 079-910-560-BNS1.lblno
Part No SW: 8E1 910 560 HW: 8E1 907 560
Component: 4.2L V8/4V FSI ª0080
Revision: --H03--- Serial number: XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Coding: 01040003180F0160
Shop #: WSC 00029 210 90976
VCID: 63C22305A2BE4A5EF7-8036
1 Fault Found:
012424 - Starter Relay
P3088 - 001 - Electrical Malfunction - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100001
Fault Priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 26
Reset counter: 255
Mileage: 132432 km
Time Indication: 0
Freeze Frame:
RPM: 0 /min
Load: 0.0 %
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Temperature: 14.0°C
Temperature: 15.0°C
Absolute Pres.: 980.0 mbar
Voltage: 11.049 V
Readiness: 0000 0000
So basically started motor. Kept delaying it, until I needed to use it early morning and it would just not start (I was expecting this to happen to be honest if I didnt get it sorted), as frustrated as I was I just booked it in for a change at Audi (and I have always been the one stating 'avoid stealers at all cost'! but I just did not have the time nor the patience unfortunately)
Anyway, If I havent bored you yet well done, grab a coffee and please keep reading, this is the interesting bit...
So in it went to audi, I told them it was only occasionally 'intermittently' taking an age to start and was most likely the starter motor, so they went with the cheaper option first and changed the relays but no joy so they proceeded to change the starter motor. Picked it up... nice strong start on first tap, kids were with me so we stopped at Nandos for some... er chicken. Went back to the car and... lo and behold the thing wouldn't start
!! Was at it for half an hour but no joy. Unfortunately it was past Audi closing time but fortunately missus was in her car so abandoned it and went back home. A bit of a rant at Audi the next morning and a few apologies my way, Audi arranged for it to be picked up and brought back.I know this is getting lengthy, so i'll trim down as much as possiible...
car went back and forth a good few times more (!!!!), after Audi had informed me each time it had been 'tested several times and all was now fine', once failing to start on the petrol forecourt and once them telling me it was a faulty earth cable (possible scenario I know)!
After having a good rant again, and Audi extending a small discount, they kept it in for a good few weeks, and finally updating me - the RS specialist had been discussing with Audi Germany and finally told me they are not 100% on the reason but believe the issue lies in the engine. No noises at all from the engine and drives superbly but they found the crankshaft was stopping in the exact same spot when the engine was turned off, They drained\filtered the oil but found no particles (bearing\journals i'm thinking). 2 Mechanics working on it, they informed me moving the car just slightly in gear to move the crankshaft was enough to allow the engine to start! Resistance apparently which I assume is putting a large load on the starter motor which is just not big enough to overcome the resistance.
They told me the next step would be to open the engine (Oil pan first I assumed) and investigate.... this is where I pulled the plug due to how much it could cost and 'started\drove' it back -
drove like a dream. Anyway booked it in with a renound RS specialist (well known) who was just as surprised after I told him the full story, he's been looking at it for a good few months now, but unable to find the culprit as of yet. He's told me there is no huge difference from a restistance perspective when turning the crankshaft manually - compared it with another RS4 he had! I suggested we could be more specific and try a torque beam style wrench so we have exact figures for torque required, as I dont know 'how much' is 'too much' for the starter to handle. This would also confirm any areas in crankshaft rotation which were showing more resistance, if any.
It was a first for Audi and the specialist, neitther have i come across such a situation being reported by anyone, anywhere although there are a few posts stateside of alternators needing upgrading after an engine swap, but thats a different stuation.
Always well maintained, and not the first high revving engine i've owned so oil has always been top priority,
thoughts chaps?
