TD02

Picked up our new 2002 A4 3.0 last week. Driving away from the dealership (evening), the check engine light goes on. Take it back to the dealer next morning; diagnosis: "retarded left cam shaft". TSB says this is a "sticky" cam shaft, dealer follows recommendation to replace engine oil with 0W50 synthetic, reset light, and drive for 40 miles.

Next day, check engine light comes on during commute to work. Following morning, take car back to dealer -- same code: "retarded left cam shaft". Dealer resets code, says it needs to be driven more.

Next day, check engine light comes on during commute. Take care back to dealer... same code...
dealer resets code, drives car for 50 miles, says that Audi tech support center says that synthetic oil plus driving is only authorized solution until car has at least 3000 miles on it!

Weekend: check engine light comes on again. Back to the dealer Monday am. Same d**n code.
Dealer resets. Sigh.

Tuesday: dealer calls. Audi tech support center *now* says that they're sending a new chip with custom programming that will "solve" problem.

Questions:
(1) Is this common? Have other '02 owners experienced this problem?
(2) It's not clear what this new chip actually does... just not turn on check engine light for this particular failure? actually change characteristics of the engine to prevent the
"retarded cam shaft"? will the car now have different horsepower/mileage/performance?
(3) Is it time to "escalate" the issue?

Gandalf The Silver

I'd definitely want more details about exactly what it's supposed to be doing.

docjan_uk

ask them what it does.. is it just another standard chip ... is your original faulty... well, find out more! ask and ask more, if it sounds dodgy...

Dealer will try and skate over isssue, like when I mentioned service interval, but I persisted with the knowledge and made him accept there was a problem without putting him a position where it would seem service manager was lieing.