Dr. Mike

Hello everyone,

Bad, bad morning. While driving to work this morning, enjoying my Quattro in the snow here in Cleveland a terrible noise started to come from the engine compartment, accompanied by the smell of exhaust.

Upon popping the hood, I discovered the downpipe had COMPLETELY sheared away from the turbo housing and there was a good 1/10 of an inch gap between the two. I slowly crawled to the dealer, and of course they claimed they had never seen that before.

Anyone have a similar experience? Ideas on how this could have occured other than structural fatigue?

Sad in Cleveland,

Michael

WJM

was the exhaust off the hangers???

spongebob

I know that another Audi owner here in KC had the same problem back in June or July. I know the car had an aftermarket exaust from the cat back, but I don't know if the downpipe was aftermarket as well.

Eric

Dr. Mike

Hi,

No entire exhaust is in place, no damage underneath that may have caused this from what I could see (its still a stock exhaust, and no chip yet). Just that nasty 1/10" gap between the turbo housing and the top of the downpipe.

We've had our first real cold snap here in Cleveland, Ohio, maybe this caused a thermal stress fracture, however, the car has been through one winter already.

Still wondering, but I concur, damn....

Mike

WJM

I would expect you would have to have a very rapid, localized temperature cycling to generate that fracture.

having driving my car and other audis in sub freezing temps...i find it particularly odd. hmmmmmm

B-mike

Square Pants.