2002 Audi A4 Quattro 3.0 V6
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Recently I've been having a lot of work done on my car, and like everyone else I'm interested in minimizing costs. So, I have some questions at the end of this post. Thanks in advance for any input I can get.


In case any of this is related, here's the series of events.

Feb. 1 - began hearing noises from the power stering pump. Topped off fluid levels, seemed OK.

Feb. 24 - Power steering pump mount broke, belt jumped off. Towed to mechanic. Replaced pump and belt.

Here's the error codes we got during the diagnostic:

16946 System Voltage Too Low P0562 Lower
Limit Reached Intermittent

17924 Intake Manifold Valve (N156) Open
Circuit P1516 No Signal/No Communication

17831 Secondary Injection System
Bank 1 Insufficient Flow P1423
Lower Limit Reached Intermittent

17819 Secondary Injection System
Bank 2 Insufficient Flow P1411
Lower Limit Reached Intermittent


Mar. 3 - Battery went dead overnight. Replaced battery. Seems OK now.

Mar. 20 - Engine began shaking when cold; check engine light blinked 5 times then went off.

Mar. 21 - Engine continued unusual vibrations, check engine light blinks 5 times then stays on.

Mar. 23 - Coolant indicator came on but no overheating; temp is dead center as usual.

Mar. 25 - Mixed 50/50 G12 + distilled water; filled overflow reservoir. Coolant indicator now not coming on, seems OK. Temp still nominal.

Which brings us to today. The mechanic working on my car says the following:

"Inside the intake manifold there is a circular piston assembly running down the center of the manifold whose job it is to distribute air to the engine. It seems like this assembly is broken. We can either replace the entire manifold, or maybe just the distribution assembly."

Repair estimate for replacing the manifold is:
$ 693 for new manifold
$ 315 labor (3.7 hrs @ 85.00)


I just spent like $1200 getting out of the power steering pump issues and battery. I'm not even close to paying off the car yet, and I'm facing over $2K in repairs in the last month.

EDIT: QUESTION: Could the whole problem be the valve (N156) mentioned in the diagnostic, and can it be replaced in situ?

QUESTION: Can we replace the air distribution assembly without replacing the entire manifold?

QUESTION: I've seen used manifolds for like $150 online. Is it worth the risk?

QUESTION: Are any of these problems related?


THANKS

 

Whats the problem your having right now...?

MIL On....?

Most likely for the vacuum leak you have to your combination valves for secondary air. Vacuum leak or both valves are stuck closed.

ECMs store random faults, loss of communication, performance faults all the time. especially as the car gets older.... but usually are sporadic or intermittent faults.

I don't believe you have an intake manifold issue.

 

if u had a flashing cell i would inspect the coilpacks also. Have u ever had those replaced?