pacheco8011

My Audi's suspension wasn't working so I decided to take it to the dealer in central Houston and they said the pump was weak, and they charged me 3800 to replace the pump, valve, and relay. Does somebody know if they can just use the repair kit for the pump or was the replacement necessary. Does the repair kit make a pump work like new or is the best option to replace the pump.

2004A8L

My first step would be replacing the dealer

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

Find the real culprit, the pump is the last thing. The pump only blown when the relay got stuck and burned it.

TSHong

Hope you did not pay almost $4K for that work at the dealer, Run from that dealer.

Jack88

Oh my god, that pump is $1200-1500 new and takes an hour to replace. The valve block fails only rarely and wouldn't be part of a pump replacement. For reference, my pump failed, and it cost me 90 minutes labor and a $40 rebuild kit, with no special tools required.

Giovanni Giovino 6.0+6.0TT

Hello Pacheco,
This is your first post and I am sure you came here for help or answers, so I do not want to come off as harsh, but the question is, why did you not come here before paying the dealer that outrageous price of $3800.00 , did the stealer tell you the cause of the pump failure, such as possible strut leak ?

See link for pumps online https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...6005E&_sacat=0

MP4.2+6.0

We need to hear from OP, but FWIW something I have been considering is whether a failure in valve block can also drive a pump failure. That was also replaced and we weren't there to diagnose it. I suspect the answer is yes it can--like if it basically just leaks to atmosphere out the vent side--albeit uncommon. And yes, like folks are thinking, most pump failures are driven by a failed air strut, and if that hasn't been addressed the issues would recur. Relay replace is std good practice for pump replace, and having BTDT, it does take some time to R&R the dash stuff for that. Not anything like this bill, but it does take an hour probably for someone already experienced at it.

For other posters who don't have W12, also know that the compressor is in a different place than 4.2. It is stacked up above the air (SAI/smog) pumps behind fog light on drivers side, but high enough up and blocked by power steering pump in same area to make access difficult, even with the second W12 driver's side airbox out and fender liner pulled. When I was diagnosing mine at one point, it was enough to have me think several times about the hassle of pulling it. I opted for the hour plus dash dive instead to check fuse and relay, which on second dive proved out for me. The dealer list price on the pump and the airblock are probably the slight majority of the total bill to begin with. Not excuses but just trying to round out some factual info; $$$$ are a lot high for a now 9 year old car. Even new, going the OES WABCO compressor route still brand new would have pulled out a grand. $4-500 if shopped for the W12 specific fitment IIRC--and assuming the Meissner branded ones are now WABCO's which I think was true when I was checking into it last year.

pacheco8011

Sorry for taking a while but, I was waiting for the dealer to finish anyways this is what they are going to charge me just for the compressor, valve and relay. I talked to the service adviser and she told me she's going to give me 20% off.

pacheco8011

Now they also told me the front left air strut is leaking and needs to be replaced this is what they want to charge me. Of course I said no but I'm kind of having trouble finding a mechanic who can help me replace it. Does anybody know a mechanic here in Houston that work on audis and aren't too expensive.

Tstealth32

Someone needs to sponsor his car and work on this for some beer, or bourbon in my case.
​​​​That is a crazy price.
You need to know where it's leaking from, could be as cheap as a $20 o-ring set.

The relay should have been replaced first, then the strut leak could have been found, then the compressor rebuilt if needed.

I don't know of anyone in your area, but a board member should be able to help out.