Chain tensioner failure - what options do I have?

B6/7 S4/RS4
#1

My 05.5 S4 had the chain tensioner fail with absolutely no warning. The car has ~75K miles on it. 2 weeks before the failure it was in for regular servicing and standard diagnostics run. Everything came up roses.

The question now is, does anyone have any recommendation on how I should go about the repair? Two local independents suggested getting a used motor and do a straight replacement. My local Audi dealer says they want a $5K retainer just to “inspect” the motor and damage caused by the failure.

I am north of the 49th parallel, so obtaining a used motor is turning out to be quite a challenge.

If I had a company like JHM close to Ottawa, I think the course of action would be a no brainer, but I don’t.

I’ll save my frustration with the defective tensioner and why Audi has not dealt with that issue for another forum, but for now, I just want to know how to move forward, literally and figuratively.

#2

Have you contacted JHM about possibly shipping you a motor if they have one?

#3

You could contact Audi to see if they’ll help you out with the cost of a new engine. I’ve read about some people having success with this. Especially since your car is under 100k miles.

#4

The only thing slower than my car (which is currently parked) is a response from Audi.

I have yet to hear from JHM, not surprising though given the request and distance between us.

Looking for insight on motors. Recommendations on where to get them? Note that I am north of the 49th.

Thanks

#5

I would just call JHM. They have had a lot of issue with losing emails to their spam servers. Other than that you could just email v8@jhmotorsports.com.

#6

I am so sorry for your issue I have a 05.5 s4 that i am parting out I live in San Diego California my number is 6196088654 my engine is strong and in excellent condition :slight_smile:

#7

you’re in BC? Alberta?

#8

lol do tell

#9

x2 lol

#10

This may also be a good bet. Not sure how you’ll get it to Canada, but you also get the opportunity to inspect the chain guides in it before installing it.

#11

Truck, it cost me about 400-500 for my engine to taken from boston to cali

#12

Yeah, I’m not sure how much more it might cost to truck across the canadian border as well though. I’m sure it can’t be that bad, stuff gets trucked across everyday I’m assuming without too much issue.

#13

hard call. If your going to keep the car. It would be more expencive to have the motor fixed. Still I would leak down the motor to see how the other cylinders are. From there take out the motor and then have it serviced.

#14

Think this is the earliest case of chain tensioner failing on the B7. . . .sad day and sorry for the troubles.

#15

It seems the B7 is not exempt from this issue after all. Granted this is a very early B7, so 07+ still might be safe

lol Madison I bet you are punching yourself right now for not doing your timing stuff while the motor was out

#16

^Yea. . . but maybe that’ll give me the excuse to go built lol. I was holding out for JHM’s kit, but if the stock goes for 100k, it really isn’t a concern, unless JHM can put a more competitively priced complete kit together.

With my jeep I’m not putting nearly as many miles on the S. For the past 3 years I’ve done 15-20k, this next year should be right at or less than 10 probably. So that’d give me another 2 years before 120k. At that point it’s either sell or built probably and that’ll just depend on a lot of other factors.

#17

AoA agreed to pay 50% of the cost of the repairs/new engine. http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/463978-Audi-of-America-screwing-me Be persistent. Don’t take no for an answer. Don’t threaten them or show anger. Keep talking to people until you find someone willing to help you.