Cam Follower Broken, Now What?
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 5
Cam Follower Broken, Now What?
Hi all,
I recently bought an 06 A4 2.0T. After reading plenty of info online that the cam follower could be an issue, I purchased one, got the tools I needed, and pulled it out. Unfortunately, the follower already has a hole in it! The follower didn't just wear through, by the way the hole is torn I can tell there must be pieces that went into the engine somewhere (probably the cam chain cover from what I understand?).
The follower:
View showing broken edge:
Fuel pump piston:
Cam:
My understanding is that Audi will replace the follower, pump, and cam up to 120K miles, and I have 100K (the VIN is within those specified on copies of the letter I have seen posted: https://www.audiforums.com/forum/b7-...letter-168717/).
However, will they frown upon the fact I opened it up in the first place? If I hadn't, there would be no way to tell there was damage since there were no symptoms, engine lights, etc. Waiting until something happens seems like a terrible idea!
Should I call the dealership, tell them I looked at it and it's broken and ask them to fix it? Or put it back together, ask them to check it out so they find it? That just seems suspicious from my point of view. I also want to guarantee they will tear apart whatever it takes to find any pieces floating around. I have heard some dealerships have been reluctant to do this. I live in NH if it helps.
Has anyone had first hand experience doing this?
Thanks!
I recently bought an 06 A4 2.0T. After reading plenty of info online that the cam follower could be an issue, I purchased one, got the tools I needed, and pulled it out. Unfortunately, the follower already has a hole in it! The follower didn't just wear through, by the way the hole is torn I can tell there must be pieces that went into the engine somewhere (probably the cam chain cover from what I understand?).
The follower:
View showing broken edge:
Fuel pump piston:
Cam:
My understanding is that Audi will replace the follower, pump, and cam up to 120K miles, and I have 100K (the VIN is within those specified on copies of the letter I have seen posted: https://www.audiforums.com/forum/b7-...letter-168717/).
However, will they frown upon the fact I opened it up in the first place? If I hadn't, there would be no way to tell there was damage since there were no symptoms, engine lights, etc. Waiting until something happens seems like a terrible idea!
Should I call the dealership, tell them I looked at it and it's broken and ask them to fix it? Or put it back together, ask them to check it out so they find it? That just seems suspicious from my point of view. I also want to guarantee they will tear apart whatever it takes to find any pieces floating around. I have heard some dealerships have been reluctant to do this. I live in NH if it helps.
Has anyone had first hand experience doing this?
Thanks!
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 14
I don't have first hand experience with NH dealers.
I've read that dealers don't care if you opened it up to check as it has become routine maintenance for some. You were just doing routine checks and uncovered an issue covered by extended warranty. You should button it up and get it to a dealer and ask to have the cam follower checked. They will initially charge a diagnostic fee and after seeing the damage Audi will cover the extensive repair as well as the diagnostic fee.
Perhaps someone here will eventually post of an accommodating NH dealer.
I've read that dealers don't care if you opened it up to check as it has become routine maintenance for some. You were just doing routine checks and uncovered an issue covered by extended warranty. You should button it up and get it to a dealer and ask to have the cam follower checked. They will initially charge a diagnostic fee and after seeing the damage Audi will cover the extensive repair as well as the diagnostic fee.
Perhaps someone here will eventually post of an accommodating NH dealer.
Last edited by ColdCase; Aug 15, 2013 at 09:50 AM.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 5
They are saying that Audi USA might want the engine code before covering the costs (I did not have an engine code). They have had some issue where Audi doesn't want to cover it, although that specific incident might have been different. Why they wouldn't cover a failed follower/cam/pump without an engine code, I don't know. They are emailing them now about the issue.
The service person I talked to understands the issue perfectly, and agrees the work needs to be done. The issue so far seems to be with how Audi USA processes or approves the money for the work. I will post back when I know more!
wldrnryn, I would recommend checking yours no matter what. If you're under 120K you should be covered depending on your VIN.
The service person I talked to understands the issue perfectly, and agrees the work needs to be done. The issue so far seems to be with how Audi USA processes or approves the money for the work. I will post back when I know more!
wldrnryn, I would recommend checking yours no matter what. If you're under 120K you should be covered depending on your VIN.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 5
Post back with what they say. I doubt they'll want to do anything without a code or symptom. It just occurred to me that it could have possibly threw a code at some point and now it isn't showing one, I have only had the car for a few weeks. Would I be able to see the code storage with a reader?
I bought a cam follower and will be taking it apart this weekend to check mine out.
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 5
Well, apparently Audi USA is saying they won't cover it unless the engine code comes up. So I'm supposed to put that broken follower back in there and wait till something goes wrong. I have 20K miles to go before the warranty runs out at this point.