No warranty or class action will help me - I bought the 2011 used with 99k miles and currently at 125k. Initially it appeared to be one of the good engines, but in the past year it has deteriorated to a quart every 400 miles. This is the only thing wrong with the car - otherwise everything works, and it looks and drives great.


Darn me, but I like Audis (and live in snowy MI) so one alternative is to trade it on a new or newer A4. A new ride could end up costing me $30+k, after trade.


QUESTION: What is the stage 3 fix to the oil leakage?? It appears to be both new rings and pistons. Will new rings alone solve the issue? Anything else?


I am debating having my indie shop just do the work. It might cost me $2-3k but that is a lot less than the cost of a new(er) A4 and, like I said, there is nothing else wrong with this one.

 

Stage 3 is just rings and pistons. At 125K miles you should also do timing chain , chain tensioner , PCV system and water pump.

 

I am no longer a DIYer but I rebuilt engines in a 48 Chevy and a 72 TR6 back in the day. The Chevy had to be bored out 30 thousandth due to damage. I am wondering if I can get away with honing the cylinders and just replacing pistons, rings, and the other parts you suggest? I understand they are smart maintenance (I had the timing belt replaced on my 2003 A6 twice on it's way to 236k miles). I don't want to spend unnecessary money, but a half grand of PM that will last another 100k miles is good insurance.


Someone suggested replacing the whole engine and someone else the block, but that seems crazy talk for what seems to have been a bad combination of pistons and rings.

 

As I understand it you don't have to bore or hone the cylinders. The problem is defective rings so the process is to just replace the pistons and new style rings. Nothing else is done so assuming your valves are OK it's a simple change. These motors have a timing chain and not a belt so at your mileage I would do the chain and tensioner and water pump.