uuugggg...i have a 2002 a6 2.7. I was dropping my girlfriends daughter off at her high schools graduation and I WAS AT IDLE when I saw the mushroom cloud of white smoke come from under the hood. Huge puddle of coolent collected under the car and I shut it down.

Towed it to a shop and they said no compression on one bank. don't know how they came to this conclusion if it doesnt turn over. some valves obviously open (and they just seemed questionable to begin with). quoted $6k for a rebuilt engine and install (said a top end would be the same in labor). I just had the water pump/timing belt replaced 2 years ago and it was just out of warranty. The shop said they use a different supplier now and would give a 10% discount on labor. I fell to the floor and said you have to be kidding!!!...anyway...

If the pump went out on the 2.7 engine while under 1k revs, what are the chances I have bent valves? if its 50/50 i'll drop a used engine in, but if its 30/70 should i take the chance of replacing the pump and chain?

I did a top end on an '83 380 SEL Merc, engine in, that was hard enough even with 300 cu ft of engine room, definately do not want to it on the audi if I cant pull the engine out. Replacing the alternator in the audi was about a 7 on the pita scale.

It has 125k miles and I would like to get another 75k but if its a futile effort then I will look to put in a rebuilt. Thanks in advance for your opinions.

 

if the shop says no compression on one bank there is a good chance that you have some bent valves on that side.

if you are unwilling to pay for the parts/labor to the shop and unwilling to do the work yourself, your solution seems pretty clear cut to me

-supplying the opinion that you requested

 

Unfortunately 2.7T is an interference motor. If your timing belt jumped due to the water pump failure, than it is most likely that you bent something. As 02A6Beau said, if the shop is telling you that there is no compression in one cylinder, than as long as you can confirm that there is no compression, (i.e. ask him to show you the compression tester) than you can assume the worst. If you can find a used motor, than it maybe the way to go. If you want peace of mind and warranty, than you pay the big bucks. FYI, I don't think you will find anyone who is going to provide a warranty on a used motor.

 

No compression in "one bank" or no compression in "one cylinder"? I'm not sure, but I don't think you have to pull the engine to get at the heads. You should be able to have them pulled and replaced for a lot less than $6k. Of course, you are also facing about a grand to do a full TB job at the same time.

Secondary considerations are how solid is the tranny and the turbos. It would be sad to invest a couple thou' in fixing the engine and then face a $3k turbo replacement a short while later.

If it does not turn over, then there is no way to perform a compression test. It could be the valves are jamming a cylinder (happened to my daughter's Vue - we thought it was the starter!). Get the facts.

 

I know i'm dodging the inevitable. Its cheaper to replace the motor than getting the engine rebuilt, and you can get warrenties on a used engine...BUT...the cost of labor to pull out a "warrantied" engine practically negates any real benefit. anyone know of a good/reliable audi shop in phoeinx AZ?

 

Thanks hxgaser.

I remember now about reading about the 2.7 being an interference motor. no room for jumping time or anything else. I probably needed to replace the turbos anyway and i definately needed to replace the torque converters so might as well do it now.