qqq1970

What about 2012?

PJRed2008

You have the TSB number? As I posted earlier, I was told there is no TSB, its an upgraded repair if you hole the cooler.

JRomulus

The Service Invoice says: "Install shield per TSB 2034439/2"

Took them no longer than 2 hours, although I was first in the shop that a.m.

Jim1969

So Audi isn't doing this preventatively? They will only do it after you have an intercooler issue?

JRomulus

THat was the original premise, which I found ridiculous. It would cost them way more to fix it after a major issue with the intercooler (not to mention the inconvenience), so I went in and said I'm a sales rep who travels tens of thousands of miles per year and I want it fixed (meaning shield installed) per the TSB.

JRomulus

I think by definition TSB's are "supposed" to be preventative in nature. A lot of good it would do AFTER the damage is done, right?

audi bug

I bring up this thread for the older A6 (MY 2013 or older?) owners to do it as preventive maintenance.
I had this intercooler protective grill installed by a dealer while the grill was replaced on AOA's goodwill. I know I can replace it cheaper by buying the parts on line, but I only paid parts cost ($131, grill 8K0-820-746-C and 9 push-pins 8K0-867-646).

Initially I worried about insufficient protection because of wider gap in the grill. But the gap is about 1/4 inch or 5~6 mm, and I think it is good enough to protect from size of rocks that can cause damage.

Other options:
DIY using OEM grill from ECS.
ECS tuning sells the grill only for $17.94. Push pin is for $3.1

https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/8K0820746C/

Wire mesh:

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/s4-...iator-2784308/

tenspeed DYI:

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a7-...guard-2906257/

gk1

No need to worry about the gap on the stock protection grille...if you notice it is designed just to cover the tube edges so they don't get hit. Doesn't really matter if a fin gets hit they get pelted all the time anyway.

audi bug

You are absolutely correct. Tubes carry coolant and need protection. Those fins are for heat dissipation.

DanfZX14

So does this mean that from MY 2014 and up Audi installed the protective grill at the factory? I apologize ahead of time for this question I just have not had time to look at my intercooler and would like to know the answer.