AudiChic8

Good morning Audi peeps - a burning question today: My A4 Quattro 3.0 Cabrio 2005: in shop and no compression from Cylinder 2. Shop telling me I need a new engine. Truth or not my friends?

W261w261

Compression is usually a number, like 145 lbs. Ask the shop what your number is. Is the reason it's in the shop related to a specific code or a performance issue or both?

AudiChic8

Thank you. Good to know as they did not quote a number. Oil was refilled and cap was mistakenly left off for about 10 days of driving. Also, I hit a deep pothole and after that the whole car started shaking. Car was driving fine before this. 103,000 miles in good shape.

W261w261

Why did the car end up in the shop? The shaking or a performance issue? Was there a low oil warning light that came on, and if it did how far did you drive after it lit?

​​​​​Is the shop known to you? Do they work primarily on upper level cars or are they a general repair place? Did they diagnose the damage from the pothole?

AudiChic8

Hi W261...car was due for inspection. I know it needed brakes. Car was driving fine. I hit the pothole a day before I brought the car in. No low oil warning light. The check engine light was on steady previous to this - about 10 days. I called the shop (Audi dealer) and told them, they said it was probably fine that the light was on steady (and not flashing). They have said nothing to me about the pothole damage. Since the start they asked me "how long do I want to keep this car". It is in perfect shape on the outside and great on the inside. Needs a new soft top which was on my list. Seems very shady to me. Thanks for your help!!

W261w261

Audi has a comprehensive software program that can provide extremely detailed information about what's going on with your car. Software is also available to consumers.

If you indeed have no compression in cylinder 2, that is probably not going to be cheap. How was the car running before you brought it in? You can also go to Autozone or Pep Boys and they'll tell you the reason the check engine light is on.

I'm troubled by the casual nature of their diagnosis. It's not what you would expect from a dealer, but you never know. An inexperienced tech, a know-nothing service advisor, an old car (they like newer ones) could add up to a misdiagnosis. I would find a good local Audi-specialist and have them tell you what's what. You can speak to the person doing the work rather than the dealer model.
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W261w261

I'm not someone who routinely bashes dealer shops, but then again I don't use them as a general rule either. This is what happened on my first and last visit to Danbury Audi in Danbury CT, a dealership with a very fancy showroom that pumps out R8's and R10's, plus a service dept building that knocks your eyes out when you drive up.

I have a 2003 A4 in fine shape. It's a 5 spd, and the right wheel bearing was making noise. I got a mailing from the dealer offering a 25% discount, plus a great rate on an oil change. Of course, you get a loaner plus a free wash, so I dropped off the car. This was maybe 2-3 years ago.

The next day I get a call from the service advisor. According to him (or really the tech), my front brakes were very bad, and the clutch was chattering so badly that he couldn't tell if the bearing was bad or not. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My brakes were about 5k old, my clutch had a higher engagement as it was somewhat worn, but was otherwise fine, and the bearing was howling pretty loud at that point. Clearly the tech did not know how to drive a standard transmission. How he could not look directly at the brake pads like everyone else was just pitiful, or perhaps dishonest. But they did change the oil (I guess). Anyway, I turned in the A3 loaner (cheapo interior btw) and got the hell out of Dodge.
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W261w261

And btw, it's 2 or 3 years later, and the brakes and clutch are still fine. I had my local shop install a wheel bearing.

AudiChic8

Thank you! I grilled them and here's what the service advisor said: They installed new brakes (this I know was needed), replaced the links, and put in a new coolant sensor. After all this, the check engine light still on. So they did all the work then to tell me I needed a new engine. Offered me a used engine for $8,000 with 107.000 miles o it. Thanks to your help, I grilled them about the numbers and did they open the engine. They said they would not drop the engine, period. Numbers for the cylinders are: 165, one is at 150 (cylinder 5) and cylinder 2 at 100. They are not giving me a reason for the check engine light & assuming it is because the engine is misfiring. They are claiming it is because I left the oil cap off for a week or so. They are claiming they looked underneath where I hit the pothole ( that's exactly when the car started shuddering) and found nothing - but I have my doubts about whether they actually did. This service dept is so fancy it's like the Ritz Carlton.

The car was running fine before I hit the pothole. They are claiming it will not pass inspection. They never mentioned the software program. As a goodwill gesture, they are only charging me for parts & the inspection - $963.00 and not the labor. Thinking about calling Audi of America.

I am taking the car to a German Auto Specialist (anti-dealer) who will diagnose for $85.00 and they would open the engine. You really think I should take it to Autozone and they would give me more detailed advice?

I owe a drink, mister. You are a lifesaver!

W261w261

Let us know how it goes. Many times there's no feedback