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Audi say new engine needed for A8 with only 50k


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Anyone any suggestions!!

I've an Audi A8 3.7 with 50K miles and it's using serious amounts of oil. 1 litre every 200 miles!!! Audi say it could be piston rings although they would need to strip engine to find out. If it is, new engine required @ £6K.... Have contacted Audi customer services who aren't interested at all....they say basically tough... out of warranty as over 3 years old. No offer of goodwill despite low milage... can a new engine really be needed on an A8 with only 50k??

I'd appreciate any sensible suggestions and to know if anyone else has had similar problems.

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Welcoem to tyresmoke.

It is possible you could need a new engine - how old is the car?

I would seek a second opinion and from a non franchised Audi specialist, explain the problem, dont tell them what Audi have said and see what their advice is.

I am not suprised Audi havent volunteered to contribute, IMO, once they have sold the car they dont appear to care much what happens after that.

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It's 99. I've tried a non franchised specialist but they then said they didn't have all the tools to strip the engine. Both think the fault is piton rings but can't say unless strip engine. Audi don't list piston rings as a part so have to get a block engine £3.2k and then 20 hours to fit oh and £6-800 to strip the engine to confirm it is fault in first place!!

Did all the checks I could before buying contacted previous owner and Audi dealer who did servicing....I thought I'd got a dream not a dog!!

Do you know if anyone has had any success battling Audi?

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Perhaps on the contrary it's suffering from gummed up rings. Have you owned it for the 50K or do you know how its been driven? Has it been regularly serviced with the correct oil? An engine like that if driven sedately can hardly do any revs.

Maybe it needs a damn good thrashing! A track day might be money well spent!

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if it is the rings, that's when Audi say it needs a new engine. Piston rings aren't available on that engine. UNder the warranty I don't want to strip thr engine only to find out 'it's wear and tear'. It had 38k and certainly wasn't thrashed by the old boy that I got it from, but i suppose you never really know...

Audi in Bradford did all the servicing and they said it never had any problems.

I'm a bit confused though now are you suggesting not to put thicker oil in and work it hard instead???

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Is it possible you can remove the spark plugs and look at their condition. If some look different (ie contaminated) and others look clean then you may have a problem with those associated pistons. A compression test will tell a lot too (did the specialist do that?)

As it was owned by an 'old boy' as you mention there is always the possibility that it wasn't ever properly driven and never got above 2000 revs, lots of cold starts, short journeys could also have led to these problems your experiencing.

I guess as the cars currently using a lot of oil there is always the chance that it has completely ran out of oil in the recent past.

Good luck

Vic

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It seems odd they say it's necessary to take the engine apart. It's quite possible to inspect the cylinders with a scope (which they ought to have), and as said, combined with a compression test it should give you a clear answer.

My guess is it might be the 'lining' of the cylinder walls that's scratched. Some engines are known to have problems with that. On later engines they used a different - tougher - material.

In that case it's likely some previous owner may have 'trashed' the car somewhat. Nevertheless, it's a fault and if you go about it diplomatically you should be able to get Audi to pick up part of the tab. (50% is common). If they still refuse I'd mention the word 'lawyer'...

HTH

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is it some "Audi" engines or just engines that have a problem....? If Audi know some of their engines have this problem then I have a lawyer friend who might be interested in pursuing this for me. At the moment they're denying all knowledge.

Everyone but the deaaler where I am won't touch the engine and the dealer can't get beyond "it needs a new engine"... The scope and compression test sound interesting but could anyone do this. I'm in Cumbria so specialists are few and far between.

I've tried running a thicker oil but unfortuneately still only 200 miles per litre but no visible signs of oil at all.

Your help on this is appreciated.

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[ QUOTE ]

I've tried running a thicker oil but unfortuneately still only 200 miles per litre but no visible signs of oil at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

Oops, get the 'thicker oil' out asap and replace it with spec oil. Non-spec oil will most certainly void any warranty! So I wouldn't stress that fact when you complain... sekret.gif

Besides, it'll do you no good anyway - as you found out already - but it might do harm. So best get it out...

IIRC a '99 3.7 takes long-life 10W30/10W40, but check your manual for that and the right VW speck (probably VW 500 00).

[ QUOTE ]

The scope and compression test sound interesting but could anyone do this. I'm in Cumbria so specialists are few and far between.

[/ QUOTE ]

The scope inspection can be done by any decent mechanic. Just try to pick someone who seems capable and interested enough to do a thourough job.

[ QUOTE ]

is it some "Audi" engines or just engines that have a problem....? If Audi know some of their engines have this problem then I have a lawyer friend who might be interested in pursuing this for me. At the moment they're denying all knowledge.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's "engines" in general (BMW has had similar problems f.i.), but Audi too. I'm not sure if this goes for your particular engine, but it's true for the 4.2, and it wouldn't surprise me if they used the same material in the other (V8) engines.

My (S8) engine was replaced due to this problem: scratched cylinder walls. I found out within a week after I bought the car it consumed large quantities of oil without leaving a single trace...(!) Amsterdam - Prague vv took ~ 15 liters of "long life" oil á €20,- per liter...

Since I just bought the car it was fixed under warranty, but I found out Audi GMBH flat out offered to pay half, w/o asking for it. "That's policy" they told me. (The garage where I bought the car was way more difficult though, but that's another story - and I do have a new engine).

Here in The Netherlands it makes a difference though if the car has full Audi service history. But I've learned Audi UK has their own set of rules - which is not neccesarily better, to put it mildly. UHOH7.GIF.

No manufacturer (incl. Audi) will likely admit there has been such a problem. Understandably from their point of view; regardless of existing failures, everyone would start asking for new engines. However, I'm convinced they know it exists. A local specialist has explained this to me, and I've heard the same story from other people as well.

It's probably not easy to prove, but I'm, sure there must be some internal guidelines for this. It may help to hint you know these exist... You could also ask them why they changed to a different material for the cylinder walls, and you might add you know several people who experienced the same problem (provided this is indeed the cause - which should become apparent with a scope inspection).

IMO the best way to go about it is with reason, polite, decided, with subtle pressure. It's simply not acceptable that the engine of their flagship seizes after a mere 50k miles, and they know it!

If Audi UK won't cooperate - not unusual - I'd address Audi GMBH directly. Often they are way more service minded, esp. if you find the right tone.

As said, FASH helps - a lot - to build a case. That proves loyalty and that you did all that can be expected to maintain your car to their standards. If you don't have that, try to show records of maintenance, with explanation why you went elsewhere (f.i. distance from the nearest dealer).

You could ask others about their experiences with this particular problem and/or dealings with Audi UK in the A8/S8 forum here on TSN. You may get more attention there from the '8 crowd'. They're a pretty friendly bunch, so I'm sure they'd be glad to help. wink.gif

Good luck and keep us posted. If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask! 169144-ok.gif

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Thanks very much for the guidance. I'm going back to Audi tomorrow and will try and exert a little more pressure.

The oil I'm using now is still within spec but it is 10-40 semi where I was using 0-40 sync. Do you think I should be posting my problem elsewhere? I'm still a bit new to TSN.

I'll let you know how I get on. Thnaks for your help.

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