2000 A4 with 47,000 miles driven by wife. With only 47K miles car has set alot over the years.

All seemed fine, had oil changed, three days later after a 75 mile drive, car quit and now am being told that the car has no compression and that the error code shows problem with timing belt.

Could this be related to oil change?

 

are you sure that the oil was full? 47K miles seems way too soon for a timing belt to go.

 

Yes, after the car quit the oil level was fine.

There was no water in the oil, no oil in the water and it was backfiring.

Reminder, it was running like new up to the time that it quit.

The import machanic said that it had no compression and the error codes showed
a timing belt issue. He would know more about what caused the problem as he
tore into it.

My feeling is the same as yours, an easy 47K miles should not have a timing belt issue.
The oil change was done at a Big 10 service center, could a wrong filter or to thin of oil
caused the problem?

I do not know what was put in the engine yet, but I am checking into it.

It may seem that I am looking to blame someone else, but nothing with this seems to make since.


Thanks

 

I don't think the filter or weight of oil would cause it. Personally I would never bring my car to a place for an oil change. They look up the correct type of filter and oil. The brand of filter and oil would be my issue. You should use MANN or MAHLE filters exclusively. I use castrol full synthetic, that is Audi/VW approved. You could check with the place, but since you drove it 75 miles after you left there, I don't think there is any recourse with them.. Try calling Audi USA ad see if there are any technical bulletins or recalls etc. A premature timing belt failure may be a warantee job.

 

Thanks, I checked car.com for recalls and they show only the lack of amber
lights on the side of the car for added visibility.

For the rest of you A4 drivers Audi is offering to add the lights for you.

I still find it very strange that this babied car has a timing belt issue. My wife has
been content with admiring it in the driveway and giving it a daily hug.

 

Get the code and post it.

I had a cam code at 25K mi. and the dealer
replaced the timing belt tensioner under warranty.

 

Did you say it was backfiring? That shows a timing problem.
Unless they messed with the belt when the oil was changed it's not related.

Sounds like your timing slipped, and the belt broke, it might have been piston to valve contact that caused it to break.

Have the timing checked, & if you don't have a borescope, your going to have to rip the head off & look at the valves.

 

Went to check on the Audi and found that the CAM had broken, one end of the head
showed some discoloration and the other end looked OK.

All was clean with no sludge.

Now that I know why the car just quit, I am wondering why the cam broke.

The mechanic will have the head removed in a couple of days for farther inspection.

Remember this car has been babied and NEVER driven hard and only has 47K miles.

 

thats odd that a cam would break..... is it under warrenty

 

Nothe warranty timed out, it is still below the warranty cut off for miles,

however reads whichever comes first.

Right now I am trying to find out why, so not to let it happen again.

I looked at recalls, however they seem to deal ownly with safty/ liability issues.

Are you guys seeing a high number of cams breaking, or this an issolated case
with another cause that has not been found yet?