After driving for about 2 hours yesterday we pulled my 2010 A4 CVT off the highway for some lunch. Car seemed to be running fine. However, after lunch all hell broke loose. Started fine, but with a noticeable shaking coming from the engine. The EPC light came on and check engine light was flashing. It would drive, but only very slowly. Apparently this is called 'limp' mode. It felt like one of the cylinders wasn't firing.

We tried giving it a rest, starting it again, but same thing happened. After speaking with Audi Roadside Assistance, we decided to have it towed to a nearby Audi dealer for service. Just spoke to the rep. After checking for basic things (spark plugs, coils?), they did a compression check. Bad news. Cylinder #2 came up with NO COMPRESSION. He recommended against trying to fix the engine. I agree. He said they could put a refurbished engine in for about $11,000. Don't like that idea either. The car has ~79,000 miles on it.

I'm leaning towards scrapping it and buying a new car. Two days ago I could have probably sold the car for $10k. Now it's worth ???

Actually, I'm not sure what it's worth as scrap. Could anyone suggest how I could get the most money for it in its current condition?

Thanks.

 

Sounds like you are being taken for a ride. 1st it's hard to believe you JUST lost compression in one cylinder. That just doesn't happen unless you damage a valve or break a ring or put a hole in a piston. I would get more diagnostics done or have the car taken to someplace else. If the timing chain went you would have more valves damaged and more cylinders with no compression. If you did damage only valves then a rebuilt or used head could be fit for under $1000. You can also find a used engine for under $3000 and with labor get the whole job done for $5K. They should be able to tell you what the problem is without taking the engine apart. They can turn the engine so the valves for cyl. #2 are closed and then fill the cylinder with compressed air and listen for the leak. If it is only a valve then all they need to do is pull the head and fix or rebuild it. Find another shop

 

That's an interesting (and hopeful) response. This diagnosis came from an Audi dealership. What would the motivation be for taking me 'for a ride'? I'm not going to buy a new car from them. I'm not going to let them fix it for $11k. Is this something they don't want to deal with (unless they make mucho $ on the repair)? I was going to have it towed back to my place and try to sell it. A friend said I could get about half BB value for it because it's in good shape except for the engine.

But maybe I'll talk to some independent mechanics first. Maybe I should get a 'second opinion', as you say. There are two independent mechanics within a couple of miles of where I live. The car starts fine and putters along in limp mode. Is it safe to drive a few miles in limp mode?

Thanks a lot for your response.

 

Had my car towed to a local independent Audi mechanic here in L.A. They confirmed the dealer's story that the problem is only with cylinder #2. So it could be a ring or valve issue. The mechanic estimated that kind of repair to cost ~$5K. He said it's also possible that the cylinder surface is damaged in which case nothing can be done. Unfortunately, it will cost $1000 to simply open up the engine to look at the cylinder. That money is gone if the cylinder is damaged. I don't like the odds. Will probably sell the car for parts and buy a new one.

 

If it is a valve, a head job (while not cheap) should not be unreasonable. If the cylinder is lightly scored, it can be honed. It's a darn shame no matter what.