Audi S6 engine failure
Discussion
AUDI S6 Saga (Started on 23rd SEPTEMBER):
Hi - I'm new to this forum, but really hope someone can help me. I was driving our S6 Avant (14 plate) from Dorset to Northumberland on September 23rd. I was 20 miles from home in Northumberland (ie long journey almost over) when I got a warning message 'Add 1.25L oil. You may continue driving'. I thought I'd call in at the next garage which was only 3 miles away. However, within another minute I got a second message saying the Engine Start/Stop was going to stop working. Then within 30 seconds the engine died (rev counter fell to zero) and I had to coast to safety. Luckily I was able to get off the carriageway. The engine would turn over very happily, but it didn't fire up. There had been no warnings on the dash prior to those mentioned above. It's easy to be wise after the event, but on the journey up the M6 I had noticed the power under the accelerator wasn't as perky as normal. I put this down to a full load of passengers and bikes on the roof, but now I realise it must have been a sign of trouble ahead. The car was recovered at the scene and taken to the Audi dealership on Tyneside.
Previous service history: we bought the car in May 2017 aged 2.5 years old. It had13k miles on the clock. It has been serviced regularly, but not always by the Audi dealership. The last service was done in December 2019 by the Tyneside dealership who now have the car for repair. At that service the mileage was 48.5k. The mileage now is 55k. We have had A6 Avants continuously for over 25 years and always been happy with the performance of each car.
TREATMENT:
PART 1.
Diagnostics started a week after recovery (workshop super busy). They thought the FUEL INJECTORS had failed so recommended replacing these and suggested replacing the SPARK PLUGS at the same time. The garage warned me this involved removing the engine and the gear box so we were facing a lengthy and costly repair. They could give no guarantee this would resolve the issue as the diagnosis had been made by elimination rather than as a positive result of diagnostic tests. As a side annoyance, I have seen on the service sheet that the same garage replaced the spark plugs as part of the service last December at a cost of £159.04 ex vat and labour. It seems wrong that the same garage would insist on replacing them so soon?
PART 2: MONDAY 19th October
The garage rang me to explain this repair had been completed at a cost of £4,340, BUT there were still issues with the car (which has remained at the garage since 23rd September). When the engine had been rebuilt and the technician tested it, the engine started, but the technician detected an unhealthy sound and it has been recommended that the TURBO and THROTTLE VALVE are replaced. This means taking the engine out again. Estimated cost for parts is £4,207.36 plus 11 hours labour. I was speechless. Although the car is 6 years old, is hasn't got a high mileage. The service manager who rang me explained the oil level had been very, very, very low (not sure what that means, the car either needs oil or it doesn't)? I asked if this meant the warning light was faulty as it hadn't come on, but he was non-committal. I have contacted Audi UK who have failed to get back to me within the 48 hour window they promised. However, the dealer has offered to pay 70% of the parts cost for part 2 and to waive the labour charge.
COSTS SO FAR:
This might sound generous, but I am still facing a bill of £5602.20.
(The original £4,340 plus £1,262.20 for the parts for the 2nd repair).
In summary, I have two questions I'm really hoping to have answered by anyone who has managed to stay with me on my tale of woe.
1) Does this sound a familiar issue with an S6 of this age and mileage?
2) Can I expect Audi to offer any more support than they have already? A transferrable warranty for the parts fitted would help (especially as I intend to sell the car and never buy another Audi again unless Audi UK see me right).
RAMBLING REMARKS:
I apologise for the non technical language, but I'm just an average driver (female) and have no idea about car mechanics.
I haven't been asked to make any payment yet.
The repair costs aren't an covered by insurance.
I have no confidence that the current repair being completed will solve the issue.
Today is October 25th, so I've been car-less for just over a calendar month.
Hi - I'm new to this forum, but really hope someone can help me. I was driving our S6 Avant (14 plate) from Dorset to Northumberland on September 23rd. I was 20 miles from home in Northumberland (ie long journey almost over) when I got a warning message 'Add 1.25L oil. You may continue driving'. I thought I'd call in at the next garage which was only 3 miles away. However, within another minute I got a second message saying the Engine Start/Stop was going to stop working. Then within 30 seconds the engine died (rev counter fell to zero) and I had to coast to safety. Luckily I was able to get off the carriageway. The engine would turn over very happily, but it didn't fire up. There had been no warnings on the dash prior to those mentioned above. It's easy to be wise after the event, but on the journey up the M6 I had noticed the power under the accelerator wasn't as perky as normal. I put this down to a full load of passengers and bikes on the roof, but now I realise it must have been a sign of trouble ahead. The car was recovered at the scene and taken to the Audi dealership on Tyneside.
Previous service history: we bought the car in May 2017 aged 2.5 years old. It had13k miles on the clock. It has been serviced regularly, but not always by the Audi dealership. The last service was done in December 2019 by the Tyneside dealership who now have the car for repair. At that service the mileage was 48.5k. The mileage now is 55k. We have had A6 Avants continuously for over 25 years and always been happy with the performance of each car.
TREATMENT:
PART 1.
Diagnostics started a week after recovery (workshop super busy). They thought the FUEL INJECTORS had failed so recommended replacing these and suggested replacing the SPARK PLUGS at the same time. The garage warned me this involved removing the engine and the gear box so we were facing a lengthy and costly repair. They could give no guarantee this would resolve the issue as the diagnosis had been made by elimination rather than as a positive result of diagnostic tests. As a side annoyance, I have seen on the service sheet that the same garage replaced the spark plugs as part of the service last December at a cost of £159.04 ex vat and labour. It seems wrong that the same garage would insist on replacing them so soon?
PART 2: MONDAY 19th October
The garage rang me to explain this repair had been completed at a cost of £4,340, BUT there were still issues with the car (which has remained at the garage since 23rd September). When the engine had been rebuilt and the technician tested it, the engine started, but the technician detected an unhealthy sound and it has been recommended that the TURBO and THROTTLE VALVE are replaced. This means taking the engine out again. Estimated cost for parts is £4,207.36 plus 11 hours labour. I was speechless. Although the car is 6 years old, is hasn't got a high mileage. The service manager who rang me explained the oil level had been very, very, very low (not sure what that means, the car either needs oil or it doesn't)? I asked if this meant the warning light was faulty as it hadn't come on, but he was non-committal. I have contacted Audi UK who have failed to get back to me within the 48 hour window they promised. However, the dealer has offered to pay 70% of the parts cost for part 2 and to waive the labour charge.
COSTS SO FAR:
This might sound generous, but I am still facing a bill of £5602.20.
(The original £4,340 plus £1,262.20 for the parts for the 2nd repair).
In summary, I have two questions I'm really hoping to have answered by anyone who has managed to stay with me on my tale of woe.
1) Does this sound a familiar issue with an S6 of this age and mileage?
2) Can I expect Audi to offer any more support than they have already? A transferrable warranty for the parts fitted would help (especially as I intend to sell the car and never buy another Audi again unless Audi UK see me right).
RAMBLING REMARKS:
I apologise for the non technical language, but I'm just an average driver (female) and have no idea about car mechanics.
I haven't been asked to make any payment yet.
The repair costs aren't an covered by insurance.
I have no confidence that the current repair being completed will solve the issue.
Today is October 25th, so I've been car-less for just over a calendar month.
Thank you everyone for making me feel less stupid. Slight correction to the reading of my post - the dealer said replacing the injectors required the engine to be removed, and that spark plug replacement at the same time would be prudent. They didn't suggest spark plug replacement involved engine removal. I'm still hopeful of finding leverage to get a bit more goodwill from Audi. I didn't take the car away from the dealer as I thought Audi UK would be even less likely to show goodwill. Perhaps that was an error. I wonder if the dealers only work on newer cars and indys might be better at working on 'older' cars. Final thought.....it's worrying that an expensive car blows up as a teenager having only travelled 55k.
Thanks again everyone for commenting. I particularly like the conciliatory (two sides to every argument) style of Elliot's post. I've just alerted our local well respected Audi independent garage to my problem and they're having a read through now.
I'm still interested if any other S6 owners have had engine 'failure' at 50-60k mileage....
I'm still interested if any other S6 owners have had engine 'failure' at 50-60k mileage....
I asked for a few things when the dealership rang to say they hoped to have the car fired up tomorrow (and tentatively ready to come home from ITC). Before I accept the car back I've asked if they have changed the turbo oil screen (is that the right terminology)? Also I've asked for a print out of all the diagnostics. When I asked for the parts they have removed to be given to me they said it was likely the fuel injectors and spark plugs (removed during phase 1) had been disposed of already, furthermore, as the dealership is bearing 70% of the parts cost for phase 2, they won't release the old parts for phase 2 to me. I asked if they would as a minimum share photos showing the components which had failed evidencing any visual failures. I quizzed the need to replace the spark plugs only 7k miles after last serviced by them in Dec 2019. The guy said it was probably done if the plugs had been damaged as part of the initial break down problem. I'm not keen to pay the massive bill until I've had the local independent Audi garage look at the diagnostics. However, I realise I'm probably dreaming if I think the dealership will release that info before I settle up......
No history of using oil, no abnormal engine noises before failure.
I'm taken for a fool because I'm female and don't know the right Qs to ask.....
Having wool pulled over my eyes.
When I was told the oil level was very, very, very low I asked if the warning light was faulty.
No sensible answer, so I'm still in the dark.
I'm taken for a fool because I'm female and don't know the right Qs to ask.....
Having wool pulled over my eyes.
When I was told the oil level was very, very, very low I asked if the warning light was faulty.
No sensible answer, so I'm still in the dark.
Hi again, in anticipation of being told the car is ready to collect, I wanted to check the 'dreaded' turbo oil screen had been checked and replaced. I mentioned this part to the local independent Audi garage who are trying to help advise me too, but they didn't know the part as that name. Can anyone tell me the technical name for the screen if it has one? Thnx
DAY 37 S6 BREAKDOWN:
Well, an update. On Tuesday I had been told they were hoping to fire it up on Thursday. By 3:30pm on Friday I had heard nothing. So I rang them, but everyone was too busy. They would call back. I waited until 5pm, no call back, so I decided to pay a visit. The car is still in pieces on the workshop floor. We are now awaiting some bolts. On a happier note, I did get a free cup of tea AND a new battery in the spare key-fob as I remembered the battery was dead. I was shown one of the turbos which had been removed. The impeller was loose but undamaged. Maybe it just needs tightening up? I asked if the oil screen(s) had been replaced and was told yes it/they had. So now I'm wondering if all the bits will ever fit back into the engine, and then of course there's the uncertainty of whether the engine will run. At least the dealership are offering a 2 year warranty on the new parts, all the fuel injectors and both turbos being the main ones.
Moral of the story, never take an 'out of warranty' car to the main dealer. I am a fool.
Well, an update. On Tuesday I had been told they were hoping to fire it up on Thursday. By 3:30pm on Friday I had heard nothing. So I rang them, but everyone was too busy. They would call back. I waited until 5pm, no call back, so I decided to pay a visit. The car is still in pieces on the workshop floor. We are now awaiting some bolts. On a happier note, I did get a free cup of tea AND a new battery in the spare key-fob as I remembered the battery was dead. I was shown one of the turbos which had been removed. The impeller was loose but undamaged. Maybe it just needs tightening up? I asked if the oil screen(s) had been replaced and was told yes it/they had. So now I'm wondering if all the bits will ever fit back into the engine, and then of course there's the uncertainty of whether the engine will run. At least the dealership are offering a 2 year warranty on the new parts, all the fuel injectors and both turbos being the main ones.
Moral of the story, never take an 'out of warranty' car to the main dealer. I am a fool.
Thanks for that last post. Can you share a link to the video where the symptoms are discussed/shown? (I’ve watched a few and could only see how to change the oil screen). Also I can see your line of thought regarding dealers goodwill gesture. I guess if I end up with a fixed car at the right price I will feel a bit happier.
Car is still at the dealership, but I visited on Tuesday and they said the engine was back in the car and they’d had it running ok. Due to be extensively tested (inc on road). They hoped to release it tomorrow (Friday) if they are happy with the performance. Not sure how much I’ll be asked to cough up.
Yes - Tyneside Audi.
Update. They had hoped to have it ready on Thursday, but by Friday morning I’d heard nothing so I called. The car has been fully tested and seems fine. In addition, there was a leaking brake calliper which the dealer has said they are sorting out FOC ( a further Goodwill gesture). I’m told the spare key now needs to be re-coded. This can only be done at the dealership with the car and the main key. So, the dealership propose driving to our house tomorrow (we are 50 miles north), collecting the key, re-coding the key then deliverIng the car to us later in the day. How generous is that. A lot of miles and driver time
Update. They had hoped to have it ready on Thursday, but by Friday morning I’d heard nothing so I called. The car has been fully tested and seems fine. In addition, there was a leaking brake calliper which the dealer has said they are sorting out FOC ( a further Goodwill gesture). I’m told the spare key now needs to be re-coded. This can only be done at the dealership with the car and the main key. So, the dealership propose driving to our house tomorrow (we are 50 miles north), collecting the key, re-coding the key then deliverIng the car to us later in the day. How generous is that. A lot of miles and driver time
Well it wouldn’t take much to show me up as I have no car knowledge. Generally the colour of it and how clean it is matter most to me. Hopeless I know. Anyway, my husband is the registered keeper, I’m just the lucky one who gets to share driving his choices in cars. I’d like to hope the garage has done a good job, but I’ll probably never know.
It would be great to have the luxury of examining the evidence and going back in time. We’ll never know what really caused the failure which frustrates me as I like to understand - not always to blame or lay fault at anyone’s door. I always like to think people did their best. However, I won’t use a dealership for any repairs to a car unless the car is under warranty. That’s the lesson I’ve learned (the 💰 way) through this whole debacle/ drama. Thanks again for all the posts.
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