santoriniblue

Hi -- My 1999.5 A4 1.8T, manual (5-speed) with under 70K miles went in for an oil change and the next evening (after having driven it during the day -- very smooth, felt totally normal), the engine suddenly crapped out.

We haven't taken the head off yet, so not sure about the piston. But the cylinder has a bunch of metal pieces sitting there.
Anyone with same story?
Opinions please: should I fix or sell?

Thanks!

600whpA4

The Exhaust valves are known to break since they are hollow/filled, not solid like the intake valves. This is why it is wise to upgrade the exhaust valves to a solid inconel valve.

If the valve fell in there will be damage to the piston, might even be damage to the surface of the head and damage to the cylinder walls.

cuatrokoop

1.8t stuff is getting pretty inexpensive. Depending on what the cylinder bore looks like, likely a candidate for fixing. If the bore is chunked up, see how much a replacement engine is (a guy I know went to a pick-n-pull and scored an AAN code 5cyl 20vt for under $300, complete with harness, IC, etc). Sodium filled valves can certainly drop like that. I never had it happen in 225k miles (at least) of driving Audis with NA filled exhaust valves (10vt, 20v, 20vt, 32v, 30v and now a 1.8t), but it does happen. Usually due to EGT's out of whack, or mileage, or both.

Alf Arkin

This happened right after the oil change? Maybe they poured in the aluminum seal (or other junk) along with the oil.