Minoclan@verizon.net

I have tried everything to get the leaves out of my 2017 A8 including a power washer and air. Does this have to go to the dealer and have them get the leaves out? I was hoping for an easier solution. Is there a screen that can go on the inside of the grille?

Jack88

The covering can be removed from below, if I recall, but that's about the only way I know to get leaves out of there. Well, that, or one of those tiny grabber tools.

Minoclan@verizon.net

The dealer took the leaves out Saturday. They know it is a problem and there is no solution other than pulling down the covers. They didn't charge me.

walko789

What purpose does the cover serve besides aerodynamics (and to trap leaves)? Can it me removed?

LexusLSguy

Also prevents water or debris going up into the engine area.

RED HORSE

Makes it more Porsche like! (Lots of trash collects between radiators and AC condensers on 911's.)

LexusLSguy

Same problem on my old LS's. Don't forget the cowl area as well. I removed a lot of debris from mine. MP I believe was encouraging this process on another thread.

lennon31987

another easy fix is to take an electric leaf blower and hold it in there for a while, i do this on my 911s (you wouldn't believe how much crap get stuck in the front bumper, stuff literally SHOOTS out)

Minoclan@verizon.net

I tried that and even a power washer. There is no place for the leaves to escape. I have the screens for my GT3 and 911's. Dropping the underbelly pan seems to be the only solution

MP4.2+6.0

FWIW, if this is the space between the bumper cover and the first engine cover, good luck... There is the first engine cover you remove to change oil on a 4.0T. That one is straight forward, albeit with a dozen plus fasteners and not all the same. But the one in front of it seems integrated into the lower chin and trim on the bumper cover with some kind of internal clips or locking plastic tongues. I think breakage is likely if you aren't familiar with it. I left it be on mine. See picture.

Better shot would likely be to pull upper cover from under hood that is in headlight area and then vacuum from there.

This one is cosmetic in general. I never had anything in there meaningful I noticed. As alluded to though in thread, the one you really need to keep after is the cowl area behind the motor and below windshield. If that one clogs, interior of car can flood--bad design common to 20 years of Audis now. Dealers are supposed to clean at service intervals, but a guess is they just pretend and don't do it. I say that because w/ recent windshield replace on my 2015 S8 where the installer had the cowl cover off, the only way to do that and thus get access is to remove the wiper arms first. Another bad Audi design they lost their way on once again. Was around in late 80's as a styling and aero thing until serviceability dawned on them, but with D4 (and my Q5) it came back again. Maybe you can just lift front edge of cover and blow it out with air nozzle; I cleaned mine real time w/ windshield guy on site so I won't be trying for another year or so.