After a 2200 mile trip that included adding seven (7) quarts of oil, I am going to have the engine rebuilt. Damn the cost, the car is "perfect" in every other aspect and all accessories work. Not even any wheel rash.

I looked over the parts list and most of it makes sense, although some replacements like the ten cylinder head bolts seems a little unusual. I can envision that 151k miles of vertical explosions could stretch the threads, so I can accept this.

But I cannot understand why they would replace the timing cover-upper. I had the timing belt in my 2003 A6 2.7T replaced three times and the tb in my 2003 A4 3.0 replaced once and never did it include this cover. Is this a "welcome sucker" part, especially for $233??

And if you are reading this, does a completely stock A4 2.0T really need a stage 2 clutch or will a stage 1, or even stock, suffice??

 

I asked the shop and it turns out the timing cover is plastic and can warp over time. To avoid leakage, they replace it. I don't blame them for not wanting a warranty claim. Anyway, my engine was rebuilt including a new stage 2 clutch and is running great, all for the modest sum of $8200.