Audi 2.4 petrol - any known issues?

[A M G]

Well redundancy bit, like a lot of people, so I lost my (10 week old!) Passat CC and now I'm shopping, reluctantly, for a family car for not much money.

I've seen an A6 I like, with the right spec, showing under 80k miles, which I think puts it in the range of a cambelt change? Apart from ensuring that is done, are there any known issues with this engine?

Any guidance much appreciated...I've no enthusiasm for motors right now!

[944fan]

I have the 2.4 A6. On the whole the engine is pretty much bomb proof. When checking the belts have been changed make sure the tensioners and water pump have been done at the same time.

The other thing to check for is oil leaks, all the Audi V6 engines of this era like to leak oil with the cam seals, and rocker cover gaskets being the likley cuplrits, it can be quite hard to see the oil leaking because of the noise insulation tray underneath the car but work looking. Also take the car for a spin then pop the bonnet if there is a leak you may be able to smell the oil buring. My car acutally has this leak at the minute and you can sometimes see smoke rising from the exhaust area. The engine is covered by three plastic engine covers, these remove easily with a flat head screw driver, might be worth poping these off, you will be able to see if the rocker covers are leaking then.

[A M G]

944fan said:

I have the 2.4 A6. On the whole the engine is pretty much bomb proof. When checking the belts have been changed make sure the tensioners and water pump have been done at the same time.

The other thing to check for is oil leaks, all the Audi V6 engines of this era like to leak oil with the cam seals, and rocker cover gaskets being the likley cuplrits, it can be quite hard to see the oil leaking because of the noise insulation tray underneath the car but work looking. Also take the car for a spin then pop the bonnet if there is a leak you may be able to smell the oil buring. My car acutally has this leak at the minute and you can sometimes see smoke rising from the exhaust area. The engine is covered by three plastic engine covers, these remove easily with a flat head screw driver, might be worth poping these off, you will be able to see if the rocker covers are leaking then.

Thanks for this. As it happens, after a short drive, there was a wisp of smoke and an oil smell from the LH bank....it appears to be run-off from when the oil was topped up, but might equally be a minor leak. Other than that, and wear comensurate with age, it's a nice old bus!

Just been quoted £440 +VAT for the 80k cambelt service though...