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Audi A4 Maintenance and Repair

2367 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 8:34 AM

You are in the Audi A4 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Convertible, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 38 of 237

#369 of 2367 Re: I am an Audi/Audi of Bernardsville VICTIM! [audi_victim #243] by fraudbuster

May 26, 2004 (9:27 am)

Replying to: audi_victim (Jan 20, 2004 9:04 am)
I'm a 1998 Audi of Bernardsville victim too! I leased a pre-owned certified A4 in 2001. The maintenance costs alone are about $7,000. Now my timing belt snapped on Rt 287 and it was towed to Audi of Bernardsville. It has 86,000 miles and the manual states the timing belt should be replaced at 90,000 miles. They told me it has damaged the engine and has over $5,500 worth of damage without tearing the engine apart. They told me to work with Audi. Audi told me "too bad", it's my problem. The car is now sitting on the lot in B'ville because I haveb't given them permissin to fix it. The lease ends August. It will cost me $9700 to buy the car, $5,500+ to repair the car, and I owe $2000 for over mileage!! I've paid $14,400 in lease payments. I'll only get $6,800 if I sell the car privately after I fix it. Do you have any suggestions????

#370 of 2367 Engine Rumbling by cole

May 28, 2004 (7:56 am)

I've got a '97 1.8T Quattro that's starting rumbling lately. It almost sounds like one of those exhausts that kids put on their Civics, except that the noise is most definitely coming from the engine compartment and not the rear of the vehicle. Any ideas on what could be causing this?
 
My car has 87,000 miles on it and this will be the last Audi I ever own. The maintenance has been ridiculous - I also had the timing belt blow out well before the 90k mile mark, as well as having to have the tie rods replaced. I've spent almost as much on repairs as I did when I purchased the vehicle 3 years ago.

#371 of 2367 Edit Post #370 by cole

May 28, 2004 (8:32 am)

It actually wasn't only the timing belt. It was the cam tensioner bolt as well. Other problems:
 
1. Bottom edges of both side view mirrors have a rust color creeping up them. I'd think it was just me, but I've seen the same thing on other Audi's.
2. Brakes constantly have a scraping noise upon first start. They've been cleaned several times and they don't need to be replaced. It's just an annoyance.
3. EXTREMELY loud fan noise when the A/C kicks on upon starting the car on a hot day. It's flat out embarrasing. It sounds like I've got a car that's about to explode!

#372 of 2367 Answer to gas cap affliction by giggs

May 28, 2004 (9:30 pm)

A while ago (#335-339) I wrote about losing my gas cap (2002 A4)and getting this little gas pump light appearing in the message centre. I bought a replacement gas cap from the local VW dealer (not an Audi dealer. the Vw cap looked and fit perfectly but the flashing light did not disappear. A member suggested it would go away after a fill up. It didn't. So, I trotted off to the Audi dealer many miles away and was surprised when the service rep said I was nuts. He suggested the flashing light meant that I simply needed Gas! He insisted there could be no "gas pump" picture in the location I indicated. Now, understand this. I'm talking about a flashing picture of a small fuel pump located in the bottom right hand corner of the message centre. NOT the fuel pump you typically get at the top (much larger) when you need fuel. Anyway, after suggesting I was silly, the service rep then spoke with a repairman in the shop who said "Oh ya,that sign means you have failed to replace the filler tube cap" "Ah Ha" I exclaimed with self righteous indignation. That is what I had been saying all along. I didn't replace the cap - lost it - and the light continued to flash. Anyway, I write now only to assist my brothers and sisters. I had to buy a new Audi gas cap. The $42.00 (Cdn) VW cap that fit perfectly (although it did not have that white lettering all over it) failed to include some kind of magnetic mechanism that only the Audi cap had. Can you believe it? So, I had to order an Audi cap with the white lettering. Guess what? It actually worked! Now was I hosed or was this legitimate. The dealer was great though. I wasn't charged the $72.00 (Cdn) but really - can all this be true? The little flashing gas pump went away. Hope this helps someone.

#373 of 2367 Re: CVT Problems...HELP!?!?!?!? [pmessana #359] by astro007

May 31, 2004 (5:42 pm)

Replying to: pmessana (May 06, 2004 7:49 am)
Wow - my first time on this site and i find EXACTLY the same problem!
 
I have had this problem since day one, exactly as you state. I took my car to the DShip and they had it for a week. They drove it around (when cold) with a computer hooked up to it, and even had a regional maintenance tech ride along. There conclusion: this is common to ALL 2002 A4 CVT's and thus it is "normal". The condition is caused by the computer wanting to see the CVT fluid temperature to be within so many degrees of some other temperature, which only takes a few minutes after start-up.
 
I will be taking it in again in this winter, and if they say the same thing (that it is a "normal" condition) then I shall contact Audi of America and tell them they have a safety-related issue with this line of cars that requires their immediate attention...
 
If I have time this month I plan to go to the DShip and drive a 2003 or 2004 CVT (COLD!!) to see if it has the problem as well...

#374 of 2367 This board seem appropriate...let's see. by mtv65

Jun 01, 2004 (12:25 am)

Alright, sold the CrewCab over the weekend...ready to buy. Although we may get a somewhat biased opinion here, what's a good buy for ~$25k given this scenario. Young couple in their 30's with 1 child and a medium sized dog, Springer Spaniel if it matters =). We've looked at 3 and 5 series wagons as well as Audi Avants. From what I've read here at TownHall, Audi's are a reliability risk. Any specific years that I should avoid and why? I like the bmw sedans/wagons a lot but cost is a factor. Definitely no SUV's. Definitely has to be a euro performer. Thanks again to all!!!
 
p.s. Recently test drove a 2001 Audi S4 Avant with 35k miles. Wife likes it a lot. Any specific issues with this model year??
 

#375 of 2367 Problem free 2003 A4 by mosher

Jun 01, 2004 (11:17 am)

Question:
 
I bought a brand new 2003 A4 1.8T quattro - absolutely love it. However, it stalled at start up and been in and out of the service shop for the past three months. They are fixing one thing at a time for that (immoblizer, ignition, etc). NOW, this past weekend the car shudders like crazy and lost a ton of power (idles very rough). The car is not drivable. Most likely the coils... back to the dealer tomorrow. My question is - does ANYONE have a trouble-free A4? Is it possible this car will ever be fixed and I will be HAPPY? I traded in a 96 pontiac grand am for it (100k miles) NEVER had a problem with it. NEVER! Are there happy A4 owners? I have concerns, because basically this is the car my wife drives our newborn in. I bought it because it was supposed to be safe and reliable. Now I am researching PA lemon laws... I love the beautiful A4. I JUST WISH IT WOULD WORK? Again - is there anychance this will be fixed and turned into a reliable machine?

#376 of 2367 2001 1.8T A4 Tiptronic by tim_hooligan

Jun 01, 2004 (5:03 pm)

Was driving my '01 1.8T auto today, when between 2nd/3rd gears it slipped badly, clunked back into gear, slipped again, then finally stayed in 3rd.
Then, the check engine light came on. Didn't seem to shift well the rest of the way home. Called Audi roadside and had it towed to the dealer.
My instinct says the tranny is failing. I've had it shuddering/shifting hard for about a year now. Dealer didn't find anything before. I will wait and see what the codes show. Anyone else have this issue?
 
I've had sooo many problems it's silly.
 
Hissing! Yes, I too noticed that! The turbo used to whine nicely, but now it hisses and seems to have lost its power!
 
Stay away from Audi/VW if you can. If you have a good dealer you trust, it might be a decent choice. But you WILL get to know the service people!
 
FWIW, I tried the lemon law buyback with AoA previously. If it turns out to be an issue brought up within lemon law timeframe, I'm getting rid of the car. It's fun, but a headache to no end.

#377 of 2367 Re: 2001 1.8T A4 Tiptronic [tim_hooligan #376] by mosher

Jun 02, 2004 (5:56 am)

Replying to: tim_hooligan (Jun 01, 2004 5:03 pm)
You tried the lemon law buyback with AoA previously? What was the outcome? I am on the verge of having what I believe to be a pretty good case, 2 months away from 1 year of sale. I want to love this car; 2003 A4 1.8T Quattro, its just not letting me.

#378 of 2367 Mosher - AoA by tim_hooligan

Jun 02, 2004 (6:51 am)

I tried the lemon law with AoA with no luck. I admit my case was weaker than most cars that just blow up...but I went with their inability to fix warrantable repairs.
 
Lemon law can be tricky too...it all depends on the state you live in. Which state are you in? If you have a really strong case, you can work with AoA and your dealer to get a comparable replacement vehicle, or get a refund of your purchase price + taxes & fees + interest paid on the loan.
 
This is my second major powertrain failure since I've bought it. I'm so ready to buy a Lexus right now.

Messages Page 38 of 237

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