I'd like to thank AWE Tuning, Bailey Motorsports, the Academy...(epic length)...
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I'd like to thank AWE Tuning, Bailey Motorsports, the Academy...(epic length)...
[Short Version]: Replaced failing stock valves with Bailey valves yesterday. What a difference!
[Long Version]:
About a month ago, my engine started to make a pronounced whistling noise at idle which appeared to be originating in the passenger side bypass valve (~13,000 miles, stock boost). In addition, I had been noticing a fluttering sound when I let off the throttle. Seemed to me like failed bypass valves.
Stopped by the dealership to have them look into the sound. They took a look at the car and supposedly did a pressure test, finding no leaks. Their story on the whistling sound was something weird with the throttle body, but the car was ok to drive. Set up an appointment to get it replaced about two weeks later.
The appointment rolls around and I go in to drop off the car. I explain the whistling sound and also the fluttering sound (and how I thought it was the bypass valves). I even brought the TSB for the TT 1.8 valve replacement since it seemed to coincide with the symptoms I was having. The service advisor gave me some crap about how everyone on the internet was disgruntled and I shouldn't trust everything I read. Furthermore, he claimed that he'd never seen a bypass valve failure on a 2.7T (bulls@#t).
The end of the day rolls around and I have the following exchange with the service advisor (this is the abridged version... it actually took place over three separate phone calls):
<B>Service Advisor:</B> You can come pick up your car. We didn't find anything wrong with it.
<B>Me:</B> What?!? I was there two weeks ago and you guys definitely heard the whistling sound.
<B>Service Advisor:</B> A tech took it for a drive and said there were no problems.
<B>Me:</B> It is making a noise that I've never heard another S4 make.
<B>Service Advisor:</B> Let me go talk to my boss. (Calls me back) Sorry, my boss says that if a tech didn't see a problem there's nothing we can do.
<B>Me:</B> Just go start the car, pop the hood and listen.
<B>Service Advisor:</B> Ok. I'll get back to you. (Wait a while and I call him. On hold for ~20 minutes. Finally get through). Oh, I heard the sound. It's definitely a problem. (apologetic) Sometimes it takes a few trys to get these things sorted out. Sorry for the trouble. It's a bad valve (But I thought you told me earlier that the 2.7T doesn't have a problem with failing valves). We don't have those parts in stock. I'll have to order them.
After that frustration, I decided I'd replace the valves myself. I ordered a set of Bailey valves from AWE Tuning and installed them yesterday. WOW! It solved the whistling problem and the fluttering under deceleration. But the performance difference was amazing. The Bosch valves must have been leaking some serious boost. With the Baileys, it felt like a whole new car. Much more pull. If I didn't know what had been changed, I would have sworn the car went from stock to chipped!
To be fair, I'm sure I would have seen a nearly identical change if I had replaced the failed valves with working Bosch valves, but I really like knowing that I won't have to worry about failures in the future.
Thanks to AWE for sending them out so quickly.
-Dave Pramanik
[Long Version]:
About a month ago, my engine started to make a pronounced whistling noise at idle which appeared to be originating in the passenger side bypass valve (~13,000 miles, stock boost). In addition, I had been noticing a fluttering sound when I let off the throttle. Seemed to me like failed bypass valves.
Stopped by the dealership to have them look into the sound. They took a look at the car and supposedly did a pressure test, finding no leaks. Their story on the whistling sound was something weird with the throttle body, but the car was ok to drive. Set up an appointment to get it replaced about two weeks later.
The appointment rolls around and I go in to drop off the car. I explain the whistling sound and also the fluttering sound (and how I thought it was the bypass valves). I even brought the TSB for the TT 1.8 valve replacement since it seemed to coincide with the symptoms I was having. The service advisor gave me some crap about how everyone on the internet was disgruntled and I shouldn't trust everything I read. Furthermore, he claimed that he'd never seen a bypass valve failure on a 2.7T (bulls@#t).
The end of the day rolls around and I have the following exchange with the service advisor (this is the abridged version... it actually took place over three separate phone calls):
<B>Service Advisor:</B> You can come pick up your car. We didn't find anything wrong with it.
<B>Me:</B> What?!? I was there two weeks ago and you guys definitely heard the whistling sound.
<B>Service Advisor:</B> A tech took it for a drive and said there were no problems.
<B>Me:</B> It is making a noise that I've never heard another S4 make.
<B>Service Advisor:</B> Let me go talk to my boss. (Calls me back) Sorry, my boss says that if a tech didn't see a problem there's nothing we can do.
<B>Me:</B> Just go start the car, pop the hood and listen.
<B>Service Advisor:</B> Ok. I'll get back to you. (Wait a while and I call him. On hold for ~20 minutes. Finally get through). Oh, I heard the sound. It's definitely a problem. (apologetic) Sometimes it takes a few trys to get these things sorted out. Sorry for the trouble. It's a bad valve (But I thought you told me earlier that the 2.7T doesn't have a problem with failing valves). We don't have those parts in stock. I'll have to order them.
After that frustration, I decided I'd replace the valves myself. I ordered a set of Bailey valves from AWE Tuning and installed them yesterday. WOW! It solved the whistling problem and the fluttering under deceleration. But the performance difference was amazing. The Bosch valves must have been leaking some serious boost. With the Baileys, it felt like a whole new car. Much more pull. If I didn't know what had been changed, I would have sworn the car went from stock to chipped!
To be fair, I'm sure I would have seen a nearly identical change if I had replaced the failed valves with working Bosch valves, but I really like knowing that I won't have to worry about failures in the future.
Thanks to AWE for sending them out so quickly.
-Dave Pramanik
#3
Just ordered mine...
Thanks for the great review Dave.
I am not sure I have had any issues with my current rubber diverters, but after your good review, I called Mike at AWE, and order myself some.
nelson
I am not sure I have had any issues with my current rubber diverters, but after your good review, I called Mike at AWE, and order myself some.
nelson
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Yes...
It was Hoffman. This was my first experience with them (I've gone to Valenti in the past). To be fair, most of the people I've talked with have had positive things to say about Hoffman. I may give them another chance and go there for my 20K service.
-Dave Pramanik
-Dave Pramanik
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The 710N (TT) valve? I considered ordering a set of those...
and I was actually trying to convince the service advisor to put those in instead of the stock ones. He wouldn't do it.
I opted to go with the Baileys, because as I understand it, the TT valve is the same design as the stock valve, just with a stiffer spring. They'd probably eventually fail in the same manner.
I plan to bust open the stock valves to see just how bad they are inside. I'll post pics when I do.
-Dave Pramanik
I opted to go with the Baileys, because as I understand it, the TT valve is the same design as the stock valve, just with a stiffer spring. They'd probably eventually fail in the same manner.
I plan to bust open the stock valves to see just how bad they are inside. I'll post pics when I do.
-Dave Pramanik
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#8
Be forewarned that ANY turbo issues going forward will draw the AoA magnifying glass - especially
since the dealer has the problem documented and no record of an Audi service action to ressolve.
I too want mods but valves are the #1 no-no of the warranty police on 6sp cars with downpipes drawing a close second. I'd love to have both but don't have the $K funds if something breaks to fix.
Glad the car is strong again.
I too want mods but valves are the #1 no-no of the warranty police on 6sp cars with downpipes drawing a close second. I'd love to have both but don't have the $K funds if something breaks to fix.
Glad the car is strong again.