When my 4.2 started to run rough at idle and make a sound like bad lifters I searched ar forums for any answer and came up short. The 4.2 is shared with the S4 and what is probably my problem is well documented over there. I will know more when my indy calls after the engine has been removed.

Bottom line is I assumed the lifetime timing chain in the 4.2 was a good thing. It isn't. Far from it. The chain doesn't go but the rails and adjusters do and if the chain jumps the engine is history. Belts come off from the front. The chain requires pulling the engine. San Diego Audi told me 3500 to 4000 to pull it alone. Plus "what they find". They said they just did an S4 and the final bill was 12k. Sure hope it was a 6 speed.

If you have a V8 and hear any noise at startup or sometimes have a rough idle when the engine is hot you are about 5k miles from a real decision. If not, start another savings account. In the last 6 months I replaced control arms, snub mount, wheels (to 19s), tires, CV joints, added Hotchkis sways, Arnott compressor and bags, and more. If I didn't live in a condo I would have considered parting it out to recoup some of my loss. But I do and my choices were fix it or donate it.

Have any of you tried to find a vehicle adequate to replace an ar for a reasonable price? Don't even bother. There isn't one. So my car went in today for "a little more work". I will take the opportunity to have center driveshaft bearing replaced and I bought one of those aluminum adapters for the oil cooler to block attachment that leaks on V8s, enough to get a few more years out of the thing. By then maybe Audi will properly equip the new ar with either a real tranny or a real engine. Or bring back an S6 Avant to these shores. In my dreams, I suppose.

If anyone wants more info I will post what is found as discovery progresses.