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Audi A6 Maintenance and Repair

1404 messages,  Last post on Jun 15, 2013 at 8:57 PM

You are in the Audi A6 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A6, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 126 of 142

#1242 of 1404 Another voice in the chorus of A6 woes by dwpc by jkaudia6

Mar 10, 2010 (10:57 am)

Greetings DWPC,
Well I don't see any questions so I guess I'll just say, your doing the right thing.
 
Having said that, I've been doing this Forum for two maybe three months now
and most of the Audi problems are pre2004 models. No I don't work for Audi.
 
I'm taken back buy the prices U.S.Audi customers are paying for parts.
For example, an Oxygen sensor for $800 must be with labor, but even that's way out of line unless of course the sensor in question is a-fixed to the "CAT Converter exhaust unit.
On a more constructive basis, let me just say the following:
a. In particular Oxygen sensors are wear items on most cars today, even BMW.
Why? Because even under ideal conditions it will go bad. But the wrong gasoline, wrong motor oil will also cause early sensor retirement, Ref: The Car Bible Web page or Auto MD are good reference points.
b. Seals should have been done with regular major service intervals.
c. The Ball joint ends of tie rods are a wear item, but bad bug on pre-2004 Audi's.
 I changed mine three times on 1990 5 series BMW along with front & rear crankshaft seal over 18 year period. That's 3x6=18
That LED Control panel your referring to is a typical first generation (Electronic) problem shared not only buy Audi but also BMW and perhaps others.
 
I understand your frustration. And in closing will just add a couple of points.
Don't put the sizzle before the steak when buying a car.
Research ever independent report you can get about the mechanical reliability, service cost, customer review...... of a particular car, but forget the hip.
Every new Model has AC,HP,Torque, Auto Trans, Leather, Audio, Telephone & Navigation & 0-60 Sec. in one second. But if it falls apart under your feet after the warranty ends you won't remember any of those extras.
And finally, never buy new unless your leasing for business and can deduct from your Inc.Taxes. Low mileage Certified model of your choice based on Research. And finally, I'm more convinced than ever a "Buyer Representative" is the best way to saving money. But you must still do the pre-purchase research.
Finally, it's tax time, check the instruction book for 2009 and see what the tax advantages are for purchasing an Eco/Green vehicle;ie, rebates, right offs......
 
Uncle Sam is trying to help.
Hope this has been of some help.
Best Regards
JKAudiA6/05 Quattro Tiptronic.

#1243 of 1404 Re: Another voice in the chorus of A6 woes by dwpc [jkaudia6] by dwpc

Mar 12, 2010 (11:14 am)

Replying to: jkaudia6 (Mar 10, 2010 10:57 am)
The $800 was for two oxy sensors installed at the dealer, and that was $300 less than the quote from the indie tech whom I no longer use. I only replaced them because I can't unload the car with the CE light glaring.

#1244 of 1404 2006 A6 CVT by billod

Mar 15, 2010 (5:00 pm)

Hello Folks,
Last month I bought 2006 A6 FWD w/cvt. The car only had 16K miles and was serviced regularly at the original dealership. The 25K service was done when the car had only 9300 miles on the odometer. I spoke to the service mgr at the dealership and was advised that the car never had any svc issues. The Carfax checks out great. Now for my question. The cvt tranny is certainly different. It's not bad, it's just different. On the hwy it's smooth and gets great mileage, 31-33 mpg. From slow starts it feels a little "rubbery" and seems ackward. BUT, everything I have read, including talking to two different dealership svc mgrs, indicates that this is normal. This is my 3rd A6, but the first with a CVT. Is there any special maintenance required (beyond the Book requirements) and can the tranny hold up over the long term. I usually don't keep a car much more than 3 years or 40-50K miles. What do you guys think about this 2006 A6 with the CVT? Please advise. Thanks for your time and interest.
Bill

#1245 of 1404 Re: 2006 A6 CVT [billod] by jkaudia6

Mar 16, 2010 (12:48 pm)

Replying to: billod (Mar 15, 2010 5:00 pm)
Hi Bill,
I'm providing a link to a Wikipedia article on CVT (continues Variable Transmission) from Audi AG.
Please take a few minutes to read it.
When you get to the part about which Audi A6 models this transmission will work
with, please note what it says about Quattro's.
For your information "FWD" is different than " All Wheel drive" the Audi A6 Quattro
having the later.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multitronic
Is your A6 a Turbo-Diesel, Turbo-Gasoline, 3.2 liter V6 or 4.2 liter V8?
Thanks
JKAudiA6

#1246 of 1404 For JKAudiA6 by billod

Mar 17, 2010 (6:41 am)

Hello JK,
My 2006 A6 has the basic 3.2 liter gas engine with the CVT tranny. I have been using Shell High Octane gasoline because I didn't know if the previous owner, who only drove the car 16K miles over 4 years, used high octane or a lower grade fuel. I wanted to be sure the engine got some good quality gas in case there was any sludge building up on the valves. As I said in my previous post, the car runs great, especially on the highway. Off the line and occasionally when changing from Drive to Reverse, there is some brief "slippage" or spooling up. I'm just hoping what I've been told is "normal" really is normal. When it does it's spooling up and slips into gear, can that slipping/slamming do any damage. Let me know. Thanks,
Bill

#1247 of 1404 Re: For JKAudiA6 [billod] by jkaudia6

Mar 17, 2010 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: billod (Mar 17, 2010 6:41 am)
Re: For JKAudiA6 [billod]
I just bought an A6 C6 Platform 2005 Quattro with a tiptronic Transmission.
What I've read about the two types of transmissions is limited but what I did note is
the following:
1. The CVT (Continues Velocity Trans) is not offered in the quattro A6. It either comes with a Tiptronic.with shift paddles or the standard version with the gear shift in the middle consoled and no paddles. It shifts, feels similar to a CVT but there is a fundamental difference internally between the two and how they work. The primary difference being the CVT and it's Central Control unit (ECU) adapts to driver habit and road conditions and choose the appropriate gear ratios, within predetermined range, without the traditional shifting feel of a conventional Transmision. Conversely, the Tiptronic, when in automatic mode shifts up or down based primarily on application of pressure applied to the gas pedal. You should have three different modes, Automatic, Tiptronic mode (+/-) and Sports mode (S) which requires pressing the button on the gear shift handle.
 
As for your question about "Slipping/slamming" when changing from Drive to Reverse it depends. When you first start the engine in the morning, the "Cold Start" choke increases engine RPM's. Under that condition, when changing gears
(Park to Reverse or drive) there may be a slight bump feel in the drive train. This condition is normal. If this same condition occurs after the engine has reach "Normal Operation" temperature", then I would say not normal. This may be caused because the engine idle (RPM's) is to high.
Normal RPM at operational Temp's is between 600 to 800 RPM's, give or take.
The other possibility could be a U-joint or velocity joint problem in the drive train assembly, but at that mileage I don't think so.
As for spooling up in drive, during initial acceleration, I've noticed that as well. It also happens when releasing the brake and accelerating at the same time. I tend to think it's a Vacuum problem, a vacuum transfer lag. But to be honest, I don't know it the transmission has components which are vacuum dependent.
  
Finally, your driving with Premium Gas, 95 Octane or higher is what Audi recommends. But sludge is primarily caused by running inexpensive motor Oil, or a mineral based oil as opposed to a Full Synthetic. Volkswagen and Audi both are constantly testing and upgrading there list of recommended oils for there vehicles.
I just parked my BMW after 287000 kilometers due to a blown head gasket. What I found when I pulled the Exhaust manifold was Black as Black Sludge can be in the Exhaust ports only. I mention that because I had used some Oil additives to keep the valves clean, thinking it would look just like the pictures in the advertisement, I was surprised. Here is a web address which explains clearly "The story behind the story" on Motor Oil, additives...........
http://www.carbible.com/
 
Well, I hope this has been of some help regarding your questions & comments.
Enjoy your new ride.
Best regards
JKAudiA6

#1248 of 1404 Update on non-blinking turn signal by allmet33

Mar 18, 2010 (12:29 pm)

Well...the other night, my wife was driving and she managed to find the one pot hole on the street that was major and hit it. As much as it jarred our teeth and had us wondering if the tire & wheel were damanged (or not)...the turn signals started working again. I'm assuming that some connection had worked loose or something and the jarring jolt the car took hitting the pot hole must have worked it back on. I'll still have them take a look on the next service visit.

#1249 of 1404 Re: Update on non-blinking turn signal [allmet33] by jkaudia6

Mar 19, 2010 (10:56 am)

Replying to: allmet33 (Mar 18, 2010 12:29 pm)
Greetings, "Akebono Mike (allmet33)
 
What can I say. We, my wife and me, had a BMW for 20 years, one car.
She liked to drive it because it was small and she could see over the engine hood.
Now we've got the A6, so I raised the drivers seat so she can she the road.
After this winter in Germany, we've got more Pot holes than Golfers have putters.
Yes we talked about that "Turn Signal" problem before. Well at least you know it's not a fuse, One of those problems with newer cars that have air bags in the steering wheel, you can't just pull the horn button off and remove the wheel without
first deactivating the "AIRBAG". It could knock your teeth out, and that's allot different than running over a pot hole, my friend.
Don't forget to mention the Relay to the service adviser when you go. It's one of those rectangular elongated enclosed boxes that clicks when the "Turn Signals" Work. Not sure where they are on the A6, my BMW had them under the rear seat
but that was 1990.
 
Just a short side note: I've been searching the web for Akebono pads for A6 Quattro
but they are no where to be found in Germany. One place in the U.S. but most don't have them for my model, got any suggestions???
 
Just watched a video on the "NEW Quattro Sports" differential setup on the New A6. Man that's some kind of Technical wonder. Check it out it's on the Audi.com or de web page under ahhhh, ahhhhh, New stuff (Audi TV) I think.
Enjoy
JKAudiA6

#1250 of 1404 Re: Update on non-blinking turn signal [jkaudia6] by allmet33

Mar 22, 2010 (7:16 am)

Replying to: jkaudia6 (Mar 19, 2010 10:56 am)
JKAudiA6...
 
The two places that I know of that have the Akebono pads online are Parts Geek & Auto Warehouse. Another one that's a bit pricier is Place For Brakes
 
Which particular model A6 do you have?
 
It's funny...now that the turn signals are working again, the doggone CD player is on the fritz now. The radio plays, but the CD changer is fully loaded and it doesn't recognize a single disc in it. Now I have an excuse to finally pull the bugger out and put the aftermarket unit in.
 
I'll check out Audi.com and see what they are talkin about too.

#1251 of 1404 Re: Update on non-blinking turn signal [jkaudia6] by allmet33 Mar by jkaudia6

Mar 23, 2010 (6:56 am)

Hey Allmet33,
Thanks for the tip on Akebono pads, I'll check them out.
I'm driving a July 2004/05 model A6 quattro 3.2 L.V6 with tiptronic.
 
1st. Have you listened to those CD's, that now don't play, before??
If they previously worked then read on.
As for CD/Radio, I don't remember which year or model your Audi is but IF<IF<IF it's an A6 June/2004 or newer then that problem is most likely your MultiMediaInterface (MMI) Unit which controls Radio, Tel.CD Navi (everything) for the interior. If you have had or changed your interior/cabin Air filters on a A6 they are located behind the Glove box under the dash. The CD player in particular, transfers data Via Optical Cable. You would have to remove the CD player from the Glove box check that connection along with the Power Cable also on the back. If you have middle consoled control knobs around your gear shift stick then that would another place to look. But as I've mentioned before, electrical/audio problems are a different animal. In the interest of saving time & Money, personnel my first choice would be Erwin.com Audi USA, Flat rate service on the internet.Pay the hourly fee search out the documents for your model and try to fix it yourself. If that's not your thing, self-repair, then the dealer. But pick one that's not a smog blower, if you know what I mean. Just as a general tip: If your a do-it your self kind of guy, which it sound as tho U Are, then you may want to consider a Diagnostic scanner for your model car. This particular model does not allow changing parameters but reads all error codes and keeps the dealer honest because you do your own read out before going there. The Web address is: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Autel-Maxscan-GS500-OBD2-CAN-BUS-Scanner-Code-Reader_W0QQi- temZ110397781796QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment?hash=item19b438- 7724
This one is located in England but they are also available in the U.S.
I'm not affiliated with them in anyway. Just info I'm passing along.
Your other option would be Edmund's.com (See Tips & Service) in the menu bar of this page.
Hope this helps.
Good luck
JKAudiA6

Messages Page 126 of 142

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