I have - or was it HAD - a 2006 A4... Yesterday, got a sudden oil pressure warning light... car was loud but driveable... foolishly (I realize now) I drove another 5 minutes, trying to get to a suitable stopping point vs. being totally stranded on country road. Didn't make it. A few herky-jerky moments later, the timing belt apparently broke... engine seized... Looks like I need a new engine... Not a fun day... Beating myself up over this..

I'm trying to figure out a few things - any insight would help. Not sure what might have led to first-ever oil pressure warning light - and then timing belt break - but looking for answers... as well as recs on fixes (or not)

---This was a CPO car w/112K on it - so just a bit out of 100K warranty...

---Had an oil change just a week and 200 miles or so prior to issue. Could that have help cause oil pressure issue in any way?

---Timing belt was supposed to be replaced via Audi Care maintenance program at 75K - but program changed since purchased and new timing belt replacement recommendation was 110K - and had not gotten there to complete change yet. Not sure if a newer timing belt, changed when it was supposed to be, would have kept it from breaking? And if I get a replacement engine and it needs a new timing belt - and I've already paid for the car to have one via Audi Care (on original engine) - any idea how Audi might react to replacing one on new engine in this situation under Audi Care?

---Any known TSBs, etc... for this particular model/year that might have come into play and/or that I can point back to (a few years earlier, there was a sludge issue, I seem to have read, which engine issues/engine replacements... but not so much this year, it appears - or?) Obviously looking for any way to turn this back on manf

---I am going to get a quote on used engine replacement... but how well does replacing an engine end up working? If shop knows what they're doing (going to Audi/VW independent service shop) will it be a seamless replacement - or is the car never going to feel the same?

---Ballpark replacement engine costs I've seen, installed, are $5000-$8000 - but won't know until Audi specialist takes a look Sound right? Any other potential scenarios anyone knows of other than total replacement if timing belt breaks?

---Car is in great shape otherwise, but even worth new engine - or better selling off the car/parts and moving on?

 

Well your timing belt didn't break because of failure..... it most likely broke because your cam siezed but the crank was still turning.

The oil change would have only cause it if the oil filter was leaking and you were low on oil.

Sludge isn't affected in your year........... but my question would be is.....


Was your camshaft / follower / HPFP replaced......? How long ago...?

I've seen the rear chain break as well... which is probably the case.

 

You could also get away with just a head replacement too.... Aslong as there is no metal in the oil pan. Which is what i ended up doing for the customer when his chain broke. Saved him alot of money

 

AudiTek: no oil loss... However, camshaft, follower, fuel pump, etc... appear to have been replaced at 91k, May 2011, by dealer under CPO warranty/TSB2013147/10, per your question.

 

AudiTek: I do see a warranty extension letter to 120K on camshaft, follower, fuel pump. I don't assume those come into play here but....

 

Only if you can prove that an improper install cause the cam to sieze.

You need be able to inspect the rear chain and drain the oil and look for metal.

Like i said you might be able to get away with just a head replacement. Could save a few bucks

 

I don't have anything to add. I just wanted to say that this thread made me weep uncontrollably.

 

I have diagnosis back from experienced independent Audi/VW mechanic on my 2006 A4 with seized engine, as noted above:

Sludge clogged oil pump screen (plus "strange round piece of metal" there, too, from oil pump?)... causing low oil pressure... which seized engine/broke timing belt. Quite a bit of damage throughout engine, metal pieces, etc... though pistons/cylinder head/crankshaft = OK.

Remanufactured engine from Audi installed w/timing belt, oil pump = $6700

Used motor from local source (w/80K) installed = $5500

Rebuilt/replaced cylinder head, oil pump, etc.. = TBD (but perhaps $4000ish)

Remanf Audi engine would seem best choice?

 

I had an almost identical experience last Thursday:

I have a 2006 Audi A4 2.0t with 92k miles on it...

- Having had an oil change 1 week beforehand, the oil pressure warning light comes on, I pull over, and consult a friend who thinks maybe I need another quart of oil but should be fine.

- 10 miles down the highway, the car jerks a couple times and then the engine cuts out.

- When you turn the key, the engine turns, but slowly. It makes a whining slow sound, like a remote control car thats low on battery.

dwirthwein: what did you end up doing? Its been sitting for the past week and will be moved to an independant german-car mechanic soon. I have been told its likely timing belt related, but that because the engine turns, it isnt seized. What did you find out in terms of car value and replacement engine parts?

 

This sounds like the common fault that was bandied around for a while on the 2.0Tdi A4 engine from 2006. Is your car the 2.0tdi?

I think it was the BLB, BRE, BRD type engine codes that had this problem. They were fitted with an oil pump that was run off of the engine balance shaft. The drive for this slips and causes problems. I have attached an article below that explains it. I researched this as I have an A3 BKD engine which fortunatly isn't fitted with the same assembly.

Oil pump and balance shaft module failure on 2.0L VW and Audi TDI engines

I think VAG have been known to pony up some money as good will for these failures as they are well known about.