s3 engine failure

[dunc_rocks83]

hi, i was wonderin if anyone had heard of or experienced a s3 engine failure. my s3's engine gave up the ghost last week, droping several valves and destroying the turbo. i just wanted to know if there was a common fault with the engine that could have led to this happening as the car is only 3 1/2 years old. The car had been working fine prior to this happening, it initially lost power and the engine management symbol and oil light came on, even though the oil was full, then it died completely a short while after that. any info would be greatly appreciated.

[agent006]

Member "angrys3owner" is probably the best person to ask.

[djmotorsport]

What mileage had it done? - Had the timing belt been replaced? (I think its supposed to be done at 60k)

[daz9100]

I've heard of one other S3 engine going bang, but it was a heavily modified car.

Details are: www.tyresmoke.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/639236/an/0/page/23#639236

What mileage had yours done?

[dunc_rocks83]

the car has only done 40000 miles so the timing belt had not been changed and the engine was completely standard.

[djmotorsport]

There's also a discussion on enigine failure at www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=23235

I'm on my 3rd S3 - Come to think about it, the first 2 went over 60k without a belt change , so 80k must be it.

Edited by djmotorsport on Monday 12th June 14:36

[cptsideways]

Sounds like a turbo breaking up destroying the valves.

[iguana]

The 1.8T valves do snap, tho mainly on modded big bhp 1.8Ts, a 2 piece valve I ask you- what a crap engineering idea!

Also known oil pump go kaput & cause bang, & fuel pump on v tweeked car when flat out caused same.

[maxximus]

The 1.8t engine doesnt have the best track record. This guy www.rs246.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=51977 had a painful experience when his piston melted (probably running lean ). Its not something you want to have to worry about is it.

[monkeyhanger]

Strange how it's always the S3 / TT's that seem to go boom, considering they have stronger internals....allegedly.

[smb]

I've heard of a number of 20V engine issues, including belts, valves breaking up, water pump failures etc, many issues seem more age related than mileage

[angrys3owner]

agent006 said:

Member "angrys3owner" is probably the best person to ask.

You called , sorry only just saw this thread...

Mine went at just over 60k, started with piston rings, then when put back together a sparkplug fell apart that ttted the exhaust valves on that cylinder. Ended up getting a new turbo, short engine and a reconditioned head at GREAT expense - nice!

I think anyone with an S3 / TT needs serious mental help if they don't get the waterpump / belt changed at 60,000 mile intervals as there are a number of people that have had problems and when I called around the independants with a description of my original problem they all said they had seen other cars with "localised overheating" causing the piston rings to fail but not more than one or two - I'm just lucky!

All that said there are LOTS of owners that never seem to have any problems at all!

[dunc_rocks83]

cheers for all ur replys. turns out the oil pump failed then the whole engine just went bang. the total damage was three valves, cylinder head and a new turbo so it was an expensive one.

[angrys3owner]

Sounds nasty although I guess it's nice to actually know what caused yours. Did you get it sorted at Audi / did they help with the cost?

Stick around, I finally signed up when I was having troubles with my car then realised what a great place this is... Just don't tell the boss

[smb]

dunc_rocks83 said:

cheers for all ur replys. turns out the oil pump failed then the whole engine just went bang. the total damage was three valves, cylinder head and a new turbo so it was an expensive one.

oil pump failure would be much more damage to the engine, bores, bearings etc, guess you meant water pump?

[maxed]

smb said:

dunc_rocks83 said:

cheers for all ur replys. turns out the oil pump failed then the whole engine just went bang. the total damage was three valves, cylinder head and a new turbo so it was an expensive one.

oil pump failure would be much more damage to the engine, bores, bearings etc, guess you meant water pump?

Was thinking the same

[Fat Audi 80]

maxed said:

smb said:

dunc_rocks83 said:

cheers for all ur replys. turns out the oil pump failed then the whole engine just went bang. the total damage was three valves, cylinder head and a new turbo so it was an expensive one.

oil pump failure would be much more damage to the engine, bores, bearings etc, guess you meant water pump?

Was thinking the same

Yeah me too.

Guess it was a water pump seize affecting the cambelt and hence valve damage and perhaps it fired its debris out through the turbo....

NEVER trust Audi service schedules and change the cambelt BEFORE 60k miles...

Unlucky...

Cheers,

Steve

[RevoKev]

Water pumps are a comman failure on 1.8T engines... basically the impellers come loose.

Cam chain tensioner is another one to watch as well, I'd do them around 60k if not earlier.

[dunc_rocks83]

nah the garage definately said it was the oil pump. never got it fixed at audi their quote was ridiculus so it got fixed at an engine specialist. yeah i think i will just get it serviced every year regardless of how close to scheduled service it is, try and eliminate the chance of another problem!

[s3 bam]

I was informed by my local audi dealer that the cam belt change interval for the 1.8t has come down from 5 yrs to 4 regardless of mileage.
mine's an 02' with only 38k on the clock,so it's a bill i wasn't expecting just yet!