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Q5 FSI Carbon Build-up
#331
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I think this should be covered by Audi, amirite?
From what I've read it will have a small impact but the problem is inherent in the design of DI engines unless a port injector is also used to run fuel over valves. I wouldn't loose sleep over it though. Hopefully you'll get it done once under warranty 3-4 years from now and then you might have to shell out $500 three years later to clean it....after that you will probably be buying some sort of electric...I'm thinking of starting an Audi FSI carbon cleaning savings account in my bank, kind of like retirement savings...
#333
Itsssss baaaacckkkkk!!!
Hi I think I was the person who originally posted about this carbon build up and about the absolute hassle I got from Audi who denied it could happen and said it was all my fault.
So...after much grief, the original issue finally was fixed after u posted here!
I religiously use premium gas, highway and long distance drive regularly... I am now at 225,000 km and engine light is coming in again.
A friend of mine told me this is a problem with this model... It comes back!! But Audi is keeping it quiet.
It seems ironic that my first problem occurred at about 106,000 on just out of warranty and here we are 100,000 km later and the problem may be popping up again.
Does anyone know if this is true? Am I in for a $5000 bill?
Any one else out there with high mileage experiencing this again?
So...after much grief, the original issue finally was fixed after u posted here!
I religiously use premium gas, highway and long distance drive regularly... I am now at 225,000 km and engine light is coming in again.
A friend of mine told me this is a problem with this model... It comes back!! But Audi is keeping it quiet.
It seems ironic that my first problem occurred at about 106,000 on just out of warranty and here we are 100,000 km later and the problem may be popping up again.
Does anyone know if this is true? Am I in for a $5000 bill?
Any one else out there with high mileage experiencing this again?
#334
Hi I think I was the person who originally posted about this carbon build up and about the absolute hassle I got from Audi who denied it could happen and said it was all my fault.
So...after much grief, the original issue finally was fixed after u posted here!
I religiously use premium gas, highway and long distance drive regularly... I am now at 225,000 km and engine light is coming in again.
A friend of mine told me this is a problem with this model... It comes back!! But Audi is keeping it quiet.
It seems ironic that my first problem occurred at about 106,000 on just out of warranty and here we are 100,000 km later and the problem may be popping up again.
Does anyone know if this is true? Am I in for a $5000 bill?
Any one else out there with high mileage experiencing this again?
So...after much grief, the original issue finally was fixed after u posted here!
I religiously use premium gas, highway and long distance drive regularly... I am now at 225,000 km and engine light is coming in again.
A friend of mine told me this is a problem with this model... It comes back!! But Audi is keeping it quiet.
It seems ironic that my first problem occurred at about 106,000 on just out of warranty and here we are 100,000 km later and the problem may be popping up again.
Does anyone know if this is true? Am I in for a $5000 bill?
Any one else out there with high mileage experiencing this again?
Pls clarify details about your Q5 such as year, engine and whether gas or diesel.
I hope that Audi will be more reasonable given their latest debacle that Audi is facing on diesels.
Good luck
#335
Hi I think I was the person who originally posted about this carbon build up and about the absolute hassle I got from Audi who denied it could happen and said it was all my fault.
So...after much grief, the original issue finally was fixed after u posted here!
I religiously use premium gas, highway and long distance drive regularly... I am now at 225,000 km and engine light is coming in again.
A friend of mine told me this is a problem with this model... It comes back!! But Audi is keeping it quiet.
It seems ironic that my first problem occurred at about 106,000 on just out of warranty and here we are 100,000 km later and the problem may be popping up again.
Does anyone know if this is true? Am I in for a $5000 bill?
Any one else out there with high mileage experiencing this again?
So...after much grief, the original issue finally was fixed after u posted here!
I religiously use premium gas, highway and long distance drive regularly... I am now at 225,000 km and engine light is coming in again.
A friend of mine told me this is a problem with this model... It comes back!! But Audi is keeping it quiet.
It seems ironic that my first problem occurred at about 106,000 on just out of warranty and here we are 100,000 km later and the problem may be popping up again.
Does anyone know if this is true? Am I in for a $5000 bill?
Any one else out there with high mileage experiencing this again?
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-.../#post24581323
Once you have carbon and need to remove it, the following is the best video I've seen that provides a clear walk-through specific to the 3.2
#336
AudiWorld Super User
There are more efficient ways to clean these up.
Use a media blaster with a custom pipe and a wet/dry vacuum.
Here's one for BMWs:
Welcome to bavauto.com | Media blaster kit - For purchase - Includes media blaster, walnut shell media and Genuine BMW heavy duty aluminum vacuum adapter
The tube could probably be altered/adapted to work on Audi ports.
You still have to remove the intake manifold, etc.
Here's one for BMWs:
Welcome to bavauto.com | Media blaster kit - For purchase - Includes media blaster, walnut shell media and Genuine BMW heavy duty aluminum vacuum adapter
The tube could probably be altered/adapted to work on Audi ports.
You still have to remove the intake manifold, etc.
#337
AudiWorld Super User
Oh oh: sorry raj099 and SloopJohnB@mac.com - the carbon problem in the 3.2 FSI that throws the codes has to do with lack of flow in the secondary air injection (SAI) exhaust ports, not the intake manifold. Sure, the 3.2 probably has carbon in the intake runners too, but that won't typically throw a code. The 3.2 has the unique distinction of the SAI carbon problem. At first, the entire front end was removed from the car and the motor pulled to gain access to the ports. More recently, Audi sends a special "carbon buster" team to dealerships with a fancy, custom-made device that clears the carbon in situ. A bit less intrusive and slightly less $$$$, but still a major undertaking. Audi originally denied that the problem existed (imagine that!), but later sent out letters to owners announcing the issue would be warrantied up to 125,000 miles.
My car needed this service at around 50K miles, and 100K miles. There is no doubt whatsoever that it WILL return again. And again, and again. It's inevitable. Climate and cold running may play a role, as the SAI is typically active during engine warmup.
And just to be complete, there is no amount of fuel tank elixirs, Top Tier premium fuel, "drive it like you stole it", or "lead foot tuneups" that will have any effect on the carbon in the SAI. It must be removed manually/physically/mechanically.
My car needed this service at around 50K miles, and 100K miles. There is no doubt whatsoever that it WILL return again. And again, and again. It's inevitable. Climate and cold running may play a role, as the SAI is typically active during engine warmup.
And just to be complete, there is no amount of fuel tank elixirs, Top Tier premium fuel, "drive it like you stole it", or "lead foot tuneups" that will have any effect on the carbon in the SAI. It must be removed manually/physically/mechanically.
Last edited by ELEVENS; 01-06-2016 at 04:00 AM.
#338
AudiWorld Super User
Oh oh: sorry raj099 and SloopJohnB@mac.com - the carbon problem in the 3.2 FSI that throws the codes has to do with lack of flow in the secondary air injection (SAI) exhaust ports, not the intake manifold. Sure, the 3.2 probably has carbon in the intake runners too, but that won't typically throw a code. The 3.2 has the unique distinction of the SAI carbon problem. At first, the entire front end was removed from the car and the motor pulled to gain access to the ports. More recently, Audi sends a special "carbon buster" team to dealerships with a fancy, custom-made device that clears the carbon in situ. A bit less intrusive and slightly less $$$$, but still a major undertaking. Audi originally denied that the problem existed (imagine that!), but later sent out letters to owners announcing the issue would be warrantied up to 125,000 miles.
My car needed this service at around 50K miles, and 100K miles. There is no doubt whatsoever that it WILL return again. And again, and again. It's inevitable. Climate and cold running may play a role, as the SAI is typically active during engine warmup.
And just to be complete, there is no amount of fuel tank elixirs, Top Tier premium fuel, "drive it like you stole it", or "lead foot tuneups" that will have any effect on the carbon in the SAI. It must be removed manually/physically/mechanically.
My car needed this service at around 50K miles, and 100K miles. There is no doubt whatsoever that it WILL return again. And again, and again. It's inevitable. Climate and cold running may play a role, as the SAI is typically active during engine warmup.
And just to be complete, there is no amount of fuel tank elixirs, Top Tier premium fuel, "drive it like you stole it", or "lead foot tuneups" that will have any effect on the carbon in the SAI. It must be removed manually/physically/mechanically.
#340
Sooooo... after 125-150k miles, these cars are junk? Wow. Audi has gotten good at making these cars almost worthless much above 100k miles. A similar Lexus or Acura is worth probably 30% more because of this type of issue. BMW isn't much better.
German engineers seem good at developing clever designs and solutions to problems with long term issues.
German engineers seem good at developing clever designs and solutions to problems with long term issues.