Tune in later tonight, as I post why your chain tensioners fail

B6/7 S4/RS4
#21

Perhaps I should start a new thread, but here goes anyway. Not being a mechanic, it’s unlikely I’ll need to know why they fail, the question is what to do after it has?

3 weeks ago I had my 05.5 S4 Avant in to have the Zenon lights replaced for the dreaded flickering and dipped issue. During that servicing I had my car thoroughly inspected and diags run. Everything was clean. 2 weeks later my car is parked at the garage with 2 cylinders with 0 compression with a suspected tensioner failure. My Audi dealer wants a $5K retainer just to look at how bad it is?

My car has seen a very easy life since I have owned it and I have a hard time understanding how a perfomance motor suffers such catastrophic failure and I’m suprised people are not more frustrated with it?

#22

Where are you located? I’d go private/independant before going to the dealer for a job like that.

Maybe the guys here can help you out once they know where you are. WORST case scenario, you buy a used motor and replace your existing one…then look at whether or not the original one can be repaired etc and sold to offset your costs. The dealer on the other hand will tell you about $15,000 for a new motor etc. That’s just ludicrous when you can find a used one for a couple grand to 3-4.

#23

I did a semi DIY compression test in my “RS4 smoke issues” thread. I can do a cleaner version with the pics I have and take people through the step by step process. Maddog covered the job 90% already, its really not bad at all. THe compression tester can be had for $100 or less…or more depending on brand etc. Took me about an hour, taking my time.

#24

I am in Ottawa, Ontario.

I went the dealer route only because my 2 independents are reluctant to rebuild, they suggested the used motor route but I haven’t been able to find one with any kind of warranty. The quotes have been in the $4500-7200 range on a used motor with at most a 6 month warranty.

I am open to any and all suggestions. I have even thought of looking for northern New York shop to do the work and getting the motor shipped there. Ironically, it’s actually an imported US vehicle.

#25

Look to contact JHM they are working on stronger guids. The money you will spend on shipping your car to JHM will be saved in the experence you get and the actual fact that they do this more then any shop on the east coast.

Ive learned that just because someone says they can do something dosn’t mean they actually can. When it comes to that kind of money and that kind of work. It would be a better investment in getting a well verced shop to do it. Not only that but you can have other performance stuff added at the same time

#26

Thanks for the input.

I’m hoping there are also other options beside shipping my car between and across two countries. I can’t believe that a defective part would leave me with such a difficult and expensive problem to fix.

I’m thinking I should start a new thread.