I'm in a bit of a difficult situation. I bought an 1999 A6 2.8 Quatro with 94,500 miles on it 2 months ago for $9,995 ($11,004 with taxes, etc.). I signed an as-is no warrenty. Being new to Audis, I had no idea at the time all of the common problems with Audis. I took it to a general mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection, and he found nothing wrong other than a minor transmission pan gasket leak. Thinking this was no big deal (correctly), I took it to the local German Master Tech for repair. They told me that the car never had its 90k mile service (later confirmed by Audi... I was so stupid not to get the maint. records before buying). While I was considering what to do, the alternator died (I was told this rarely ever happens on A6s.). I had to spend $1,600 replacing the timing belt, serp belt, water pump, thermastat, coolant resivoir, tensioner assembly, etc. and ANOTHER transmission leak. Then, about two weeks ago, I get a CEL for Secondary Air Pump Flow Incorrect. Usually, this is caused by leaks at the combi valves or a bad secondary air pump. I took it to the German Master Tech, and they ran lots of tests and determined that it was caused by something inside the heads needing cleaning. Everyone told me this sounded wrong, so I took it to Audi for a second opinion. They, at first, told me that German Master Tech was full of **** and that in his 11 years at Audi, he had never heard of that. They spent like 4 hours doing diagnostics on it (only charged me for half an hour), and finally came to the same conclusion. The mechanic at Audi talked to other Audi techs there and they said they had seen this as a cause once or twice. They also found an oil valve leak. They quoted me at 20 hours to fix it all, plus parts. I just spent 800 on tires for it as well. I'm a college student and I really can't afford to fix it. It has some paint chips, etc. too, and I'm sure I can't get out of it what I put into it if I sold it, not to mention that the valve leak could cause a fire apparently since its leaking onto the exhaust manafold. I couldn't sell this to someone without telling them whats wrong with it ethically. What are you guys's thoughts?

Will

 

your error was not getting the codes as I asked you to do in your other posting without the fault codes its a shot in the dark

 

just been thinking, between your last post and this on you now mention (valve leak) this I don't understand as its a V6 so im thinking you so called Audi mechanic friend has diagnosed the problem properly because I think its probably the rocker cover gasket leaking and since you took it to master tech they will give Thu the worst news because its a wallet ripper and you friend is just pushing you away because hes screwed up, I personally don't think the problem is as bad as they make out ie: the CEL for the air leak could simply be and air leak or the fuel cap seal is shot so now you see why the codes are important

 

Well that and this total list of repairs is maybe 400 in parts for all the crap you mentioned before (Alternator Timing Serp. Some Trans seals). I mean you cannot preplan for crap to fail, but looking at the maintenance would have saved you from buying a car that had so much work needed without considering that cost. And this, it is literally a few bucks worth of parts if they are right (which I agree, I want to know what exactly all this diagnostic crap said and what the symptoms are). I don't even know where I am going, but if you learn about cars, there is a lot less that people will push you around on.

I mean I think you got screwed on your alternator, and could have probably pulled it and soldered new brushes on it and saved hundreds. And some guy who deals to your local autoparts store did just that and made a hundred bucks off a rebuilt alternator. Serpentine belt. 35 dollars and a 3/4 inch socket. Really get us some info on what is wrong and it will probably cost 20 bucks. Hey 20 hours at a dealer is 2000 bucks.

 

totally agree there Dan

 

Well Audi and German Master Tech both tested the secondary air pump, combi valves, etc. and said that it's definatly the heads needing to be cleaned. I talked to both the service rep AND the actual mechanic working on my car, away from the service rep. I will get the code and post it here in a few minutes from school. The alternator was rebuilt, yes... cost 200.

 

ill be waiting

 

to clean the combi valves you dont need to remove the cylinder heads just the air inlet pipes so some one is talking ****

 

we are waiting

 

im beginning to think this post is from a noobe trying to fix a problem or a temp tech trying to be a professional wannabe and lost in the dark