I've been searching this forum for the last couple days and I'd like to compile all everything and see if you guys can verify it. I just barely purchased this vehicle, and because of everything going on in life, I had to pull the trigger before I could get it really looked over by a qualified mechanic. It was too good of a deal as well, so I knew it wasn't going to last. Either I'm overreacting and it just needs a little TLC, or I made a huge mistake.

Here's the low-down:
2002 Audi Allroad 2.7T V6
145000 miles on it, no accidents (carfax checked)
GAIC Stage I chip

Receipts from previous owner for maintenance performed:

2/5/13
1X O2 Sensor

3/11/13
Timing Belt
Timing Belt Tensioner
Tensioning damper
Timing Belt Idler Roller
Relay tensioning level
Camshaft/crankshaft seal
Water
Accessory Belt
Thermostat
Fuel filter
Fan wheel
ATF Oil, strainer, gasket
Air Filter, oil and filter

5/3/13
2X Brake Rotors
Brake Linings

5/29/13
4 New Tires

6/28/13
OIl changed (with 5w40 from bought from dealership)
Oil pump/seals
Antifreeze (proper type bought from dealership)
D2B Seal
Gasket Set


As you can see, the guy just did some great maintenance on the vehicle pretty recently. It looked pretty clean on the inside of the engine. It is having markedly apparent issues I'd like to get to the bottom of. I expected to put some money into it, because I was planning on purchasing the vehicle for more, so the amount I saved I was going to get it up and running smoothly. Here's my problems:

- It feels like its got a loss of power. I don't really feel the turbo kicking in, but I don't hear the whining noise coming from the engine. It revs pretty high, and does maintain a semi-normal acceleration. If the turbo is fine, its just not as apparent as any other car I've driven.
- It's also shifting a little rough. It is very jerky from 1st to 2nd and vice versa. Sometimes it redlines before it upshifts. The jest I'm getting from the articles I've read is that its the torque converter. Possibly low tranny fluid. I'm in denial thats its a bad tranny, because I didn't expect to shell out that much dough. It still shifts though, doesn't fall out of gear, so hopefully its not.
- Here's the icing on the cake. The overall MPG I saw on it while test driving it was ~20 mpg. But I just drove it this morning about 30 miles. I was seeing 8 mpg while heading down. I thought maybe its the fuel level sensor, but I did see a marked loss of gas during the trip. It didn't feel rough driving down, expect for a very very very slight bouncing/shuddering from the engine. I could only notice it though if I turned off the radio and A/C. It kept revving, dropping, revving, dropping but ever so slightly.
I feel like this is all related, and I hope somebody can lend me a hand in this. Anybody have any thoughts? Maybe its the other O2 sensor, maybe it is the fuel level sensor, I don't know.

- When I ran the A/C on high the other day (106 degrees) the vehicle began to heat up quick. When it heated up, the air blowing out got hotter and hotter. It might have just been a hot day, and it couldn't keep up. But when I stopped driving, I noticed that the AUX fan was running, but it was whining pretty bad. Probably a bearing. I need to check if the main fans are running, and I'll post that later. I'm hoping to check all the fuses, fans and fluids here in a bit.

If anyone can peruse through this, and give me their thoughts, that would be great. I appreciate it.

 

One of the things you will benefit from is VCDS from Ross-Tech. Get the full version for $250-$350 or the shareware version with a cheap USB cable for $10-$15.

You will need to scan your car. What year is the car? A boost leak is not uncommon.

And yes, definitely change oil in your transmission. You could also have worn out transmission and engine mounts.

 

It's money well spent. I ordered mine on a Tuesday, had it Wednesday afternoon. Gives you incredible detail on the problems the car is having.

And when you sell your AR down the road, you can sell off the device and make most of your money back.

 

I'm going to get the tranny fluid changed and checked for boost leak in a week. I was hoping I didn't blow a turbo. It actually just threw a code this morning, so I'd like to get a better idea of what I'm dealing with. I'll check back in a week.

 

Why would you blow a turbo? Unless you ran it hot an starved of oil, turbos usually last just fine. When it fails, you'll hear a dentist drill sound coming from its seized bearings.

Once again, VAG-COM is your friend. You'll save a ton of guesswork. And you'll be better equipped going to a mechanic.

I also doubt your cause of poor mileage is a boost leak.

 

Do you know what's a descent price someone would charge me to get that fixed? I have my doubts about the dealership, although I've never used them before. I just don't want someone to pull a fast one on me?

 

To have what fixed? you don't know what the problem is. Take the car to the dealer for diagnosis and see what they come up with. Then you can plan on fixing once you know what's broken.

Better still, find an independent mechanic that specializes in Audis. Don't go to a generic mechanic, though.