audiq5issues

My partner's 2012 Audi Q5 started driving 'funny' on Sunday, accelerating strangely. We parked it in a safe spot, then turned it off. Started it again, and it would not turn over. The EPC and check engine light came on.

We had it towed to the Audi dealer, and they are quoting us $8500 for the repair. Their diagnosis is as follows:

"When the technician went out to the vehicle he was not able to get the vehicle to turn over. He loosened the cover to check timing and found the chain to be loose and the timing to have jumped. He removed all the spark plugs and used a bore scope to inspect the cylinder's and valves. The pistons have evidence of impact. Nothing to hard that he feels they are damaged. Unfortunately, in most cases when a valve impacts a piston the valve is usually when gets damaged. We did not remove the head so we cannot be positive. The Technician quoted out replacement of the cylinder head and replacement of all timing chain components."

Here is the itemized list of parts they say need replacing: Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet

What should we do? Just suck it up and pay, second opinion, etc?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Bob Petruska

Unfortunately this problem happens often, assuming you have the 2.0T engine, and is expensive to fix. It's due to a poorly designed timing chain tensioner. I believe that the current chain tensioner was released in 2012 and is the 4th redesign. You may have the early 2012 version (3rd) which still failed. I would open a case with Audi Corporate Customer Service and fight the chrarges being that this is a continuing known issue.

How many miles on the Q5?

When did the warranty expire?

audiq5issues

My partner bought it pre-owned back in 2014. It had about 25k miles then, and now has just over 80k.

Do you think picking a fight with corporate would yield results? Any experience doing this, and any suggestions for how to do it properly/well?

Bob Petruska

Just call Audi Corporate, open a case and get the case number. They may work with you as the tensioner is a known defect, push that fact, even though it's out of warranty. Sometimes they pick up the parts costs and you may need to pay the labor.

You have nothing to lose in contacting them.

audiq5issues

Thanks. Will call corporate tomorrow, and see what they say...

MurrayA4

Audiq5issues
Hopefully you'll get somewhere with Audi.
If not - step one get a second estimate, preferably from an Audi/VW/knowledgeable reliable independant garage.Your dealer is most likely bs ing you.Valve piston contact does not warrant a new cylinder head - PERIOD.The boroscope results give them a superficial view of what's going on.Unless they spotted a knarly twisted valve in the cylinder which got slammmed into the head,then they're scamming you - shame ! Your estimate can easily be halfed by a qualified garage and you'll end up with an engine that's virtually new.Audi/Vw bottom ends are almost bulletproof as long as you care for their lubrication needs.
Good luck with your situation.

audiq5issues

Thanks for your reply! Do you suggest that I question the dealer's diagnosis? Or should we just bring it to an independent garage for a second opinion?

BarryT

You can buy a low mileage engine on eBay with a warranty for less than half that. Ebay item 192077814688 is a 2015 Q5 engine with 2 miles on it for $2,700.

MurrayA4

No if it was me I'd seek the second opinion first.That way if you feel the need to approach the dealer you'll have something in your quiver to support your argument that their estimate is wacko .By the way don't waste your time with the dealer unless they're privately owned and local only. Otherwise you're up against a corporate behemoth and your time is too valuable.

audiq5issues

The Audi dealer charged $350 for the initial diagnosis - doesn't that seem a bit high? I mean, how many hours could they have possible spent on it?