a6 timing chain problem
Discussion
Hi all,
Bought a 2005 a6 3.2fsi quattro autobox from a main dealer a little over a year ago....the warranty just ran out. Its only done 30k miles. It started running rough and rattling and a warning light came on. Took it to the dealer and he says the timing chain needs to be replaced and its an engine out job so its going to cost in the region of £3000.00 pounds. I nearly fell off my chair!!!
I have read of probs with the vw r32 unit but my understanding is the 3.2fsi is a different engine. Im not happy about paying that kind of money for the failure of what should be a non-serviceable item particularly at such a low mileage. Just looking for any info or tips on progressing things and if this is a known problem.
K
Bought a 2005 a6 3.2fsi quattro autobox from a main dealer a little over a year ago....the warranty just ran out. Its only done 30k miles. It started running rough and rattling and a warning light came on. Took it to the dealer and he says the timing chain needs to be replaced and its an engine out job so its going to cost in the region of £3000.00 pounds. I nearly fell off my chair!!!
I have read of probs with the vw r32 unit but my understanding is the 3.2fsi is a different engine. Im not happy about paying that kind of money for the failure of what should be a non-serviceable item particularly at such a low mileage. Just looking for any info or tips on progressing things and if this is a known problem.
K
Have never heard of it before. Its a completely differenent engine to the VR6 engines, just coincidently both 3.2 v6's.
The 3.2FSI's are basically the same as the old belt driven V6's but changed to chain drive and with new heads fitted to encorperate FSI.
We have had a very small number if S4 V8's where the chain rattles on start up, but never had a propper chain/tensioner failure like what you seem to have.
Its unfortunate Audi put the chains at the rear of the engine, most manufactuers put them at the front, wound still be a big job but not engine out.
Its deffinatly not a common problem, unless you are the first and the rest will follow, I would suggest you have just been very unlucky.
The 3.2FSI's are basically the same as the old belt driven V6's but changed to chain drive and with new heads fitted to encorperate FSI.
We have had a very small number if S4 V8's where the chain rattles on start up, but never had a propper chain/tensioner failure like what you seem to have.
Its unfortunate Audi put the chains at the rear of the engine, most manufactuers put them at the front, wound still be a big job but not engine out.
Its deffinatly not a common problem, unless you are the first and the rest will follow, I would suggest you have just been very unlucky.
Edited by Tame Technician on Saturday 8th May 22:33
After walking away from an 07 3.0tdi Allroad on Sunday I'm now back searching the classifieds and I've spotted an A6 Avant with the 3.2 V6 engine. It's an 05 non-quattro model, with 63k miles on the clock, and lots of toys, and it's at the lower end of my budget so that appeals, but there's a lot of horror stories about this engine and timing chain stretch. Is this a 'don't touch with a barge pole' sort of car? Or is the reality somewhat better than the internet would make you think?
Pablo16v said:
but there's a lot of horror stories about this engine and timing chain stretch.
Never heard of 3.2FSI V6 engine chain issues, although that said, its not a very popular engine here in the UK. More an american thing, where fuel is... well free. There have been a few isolated issues with rattle on start up caused by the chain tensioners, if there is no rattle on start up, or the rattle is very brief, all is well.
some info here
http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-s6-c6-platform-...
Tame Technician said:
Never heard of 3.2FSI V6 engine chain issues, although that said, its not a very popular engine here in the UK. More an american thing, where fuel is... well free.
There have been a few isolated issues with rattle on start up caused by the chain tensioners, if there is no rattle on start up, or the rattle is very brief, all is well.
some info here
http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-s6-c6-platform-...
Cheers TT. I'll have a read of that thread at work tomorrow. MPG isn't hugely important as it's a second car and will do less than 4k miles per year. Might be at least worth a look then. There have been a few isolated issues with rattle on start up caused by the chain tensioners, if there is no rattle on start up, or the rattle is very brief, all is well.
some info here
http://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-s6-c6-platform-...
Colleague of mine at work had the 3.2 in his A6 saloon - similar symptoms to the OP all those years ago - warning lights and rough running. He bit the bullet and had the chain job done by an indy, but they made a right meal of it by deciding to leave the engine in situ and take the box out apparently. Not sure if they ended up pulling the engine in the end, but I know the job took twice as long as expected and cost well north of £2k with my colleague supplying the bits with a healthy discount.
His was relatively low miles for the age - only got used at weekends. He got shot shortly after so no idea if all the issues were resolved. I get the feeling he lost faith in the car, and if the bill hadn't crept up and he was thinking about it again he may well have scrapped it if he'd known what it'd end up costing. He's a mechanical engineer not afraid to work on his own cars either, so no novice.
His was relatively low miles for the age - only got used at weekends. He got shot shortly after so no idea if all the issues were resolved. I get the feeling he lost faith in the car, and if the bill hadn't crept up and he was thinking about it again he may well have scrapped it if he'd known what it'd end up costing. He's a mechanical engineer not afraid to work on his own cars either, so no novice.
Yes, very much an engine out job.
Not seen one go wrong in a couple of years but with 3.2s so rare over here that isn't saying much. We sell maybe 2 or 3 a year but haven't seen one in a B6 or C6 chassis car (where the problem seems to lie) for aaaaaages. Heard no reports of one failing in a B8 car.
Not seen one go wrong in a couple of years but with 3.2s so rare over here that isn't saying much. We sell maybe 2 or 3 a year but haven't seen one in a B6 or C6 chassis car (where the problem seems to lie) for aaaaaages. Heard no reports of one failing in a B8 car.
. I also assume the EML would come on if the sensors detect any kind of fault with the chain or tensioners?Dr G said:
Yes, very much an engine out job.
Not seen one go wrong in a couple of years but with 3.2s so rare over here that isn't saying much. We sell maybe 2 or 3 a year but haven't seen one in a B6 or C6 chassis car (where the problem seems to lie) for aaaaaages. Heard no reports of one failing in a B8 car.
You havent seen one as it was never put in the B6, only the earlier 5v V6 3.0. Not seen one go wrong in a couple of years but with 3.2s so rare over here that isn't saying much. We sell maybe 2 or 3 a year but haven't seen one in a B6 or C6 chassis car (where the problem seems to lie) for aaaaaages. Heard no reports of one failing in a B8 car.
noscream said:
3.2 petrol I've no experience of, but 3.0TDI V6 plenty & I go for these as they are chains for life, none serviceable is the idea... 250k+ , so this is unusual, especially low mileage, you need a second opinion.
I don't know if the diesels are different, but Audi scrimped on the spec for the timing gear on the petrols. Only uses simplex chains and cruddy quality tensioning material. Combined with over-long service intervals can really ruin them.Plenty of history of it from the B6 S4 onwards....
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