2011 Q5 3.2 Blown Head Gasket
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2011 Q5 3.2 Blown Head Gasket
I've had Chocolate Thunder since 2012 and it has less than 84k miles. I recently spent 3 grand repairing the cooling system that was leaking. About a month or two after the repair, my coolant level was getting low so I added more. A few days later, I needed to add more coolant. In about 2/3 weeks, I added 1.5 gallons and there was no sign of a leak. Went back to the mechanic and they added a dye to help spot the leak, if any. Drove it for about two weeks and went back. Upon initiating the inspection, my oil cap was removed... and that's when **** got real. There was a thick light brown sludge like substance collected on the oil cap. That's when I found out where all the coolant I was adding went... into the motor. Apparently my head gaskets and seals are finished and now needs to be replaced. According the mechanic, the cost to repair will be the same as the cost to replace the entire motor... 8k! Never in my wildest dreams would I ever think it would cost that much for a head gasket job. At this point, I'm considering... possibly trading it in for whatever it's worth.
Does $8,000 sound right to replace head gaskets seals? Anyone out there been through this before. Is it worth fixing? If anyone with a Q5 has experienced this before, please share. Otherwise it may be time to get rid of it... and I REALLY don't want to.
Does $8,000 sound right to replace head gaskets seals? Anyone out there been through this before. Is it worth fixing? If anyone with a Q5 has experienced this before, please share. Otherwise it may be time to get rid of it... and I REALLY don't want to.
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Joined: Mar 2000
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From: US PA
If the missing 1.5 gallons of coolant was in the oil and the owner drove that way for 2-3 weeks, then there could be excessive bearing wear, camshaft lobe wear, timing chain componets wear, etc.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Canada
These engines are not known for blowing head gaskets unless they are overheated.
Based on the description it sounds like a replacement engine is the better approach. Of course depending on replacement engine mileage, this opens a bit of a laundry list of things to consider such as a chain job, rear crank seal, engine mounts, torque converter, etc.
Based on the description it sounds like a replacement engine is the better approach. Of course depending on replacement engine mileage, this opens a bit of a laundry list of things to consider such as a chain job, rear crank seal, engine mounts, torque converter, etc.
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