As I am reading everything about DIY and such, thought I would ask for help & an opinion.
2001 s4 avant. 86k. The local guy (very trustworthy so far) quoted $1600 for the TB change, etc.
Plus he recommends to change the cam seals for another $600 (Total: $2200!).
Does this cam seal replacement sound valid to you experienced Audi Owners?
I called the San Jose Dealer, and they say they will "only replace the seals for another $700 if the car needs it".
My mechanic says it should be done because 10,000 miles down the road, they might start to leak.
I read in the DIY article on here somewhere, that it's about 20 minutes extra labor to replace those seals.
I have done many things on many engines, but not a TB. Little worried about getting into the internals of such a fine piece of machinery.
But after that $2200 quote from a guy who has a HUGE Rottweiler and HUGE Doberman at his pristine garage with only german cars, I have mixed feelings about spending so much.
-He is a premier shop, but, is anything worth that extra amount for the cam seals.

BTW. "Wagons" RULE!
thanks far in advance..... and sorry about the lengthy post.
--Christian

 

i went to my local marathon who are very reputiable and i provided the kit which was 345. They did everything including cam seals for 550.

 

Nice for you! Is Marathon some chain?

 

$2200 seems pretty high, the major labor expense in a TB job is putting the vehicle into service position. After that, the cam seals are easily accessible and should be cheap to replace considering the seals are only like $4

 

i think our local dealers in mn would do it for around 1200... and I have a shop around here that is quoting abotu 700...

 

sounds like a rip off, get some quotes from other places and maybe they'll match it

 

Well I'm about to bite the bullet and to my TB, finally. And for what its worth I'm going to do the cam seals while I'm at it....It's one of those "while your in there" type things, but I can't imagine paying 600 bucks for it.

I've never done a TB on an Audi...just 3 or 4 hondas. I hope the S4 will be easy enough, the killer on the Honda's is the fact that you have about 2 inches from the front of the engine to the wheel well....I don't have small hands, it was a challenge. Atleast the front of the S4 engine should be a little more accessible, we shall see.

 

You by the kit and I'll drive up there and do it for 1300 bucks.

 

Sounds like I could drive 500 miles where it's cheaper, and still save money. But the problem is, I don't trust much of anyone except this guy. I've been f'ed over too many times by mechanics here in cali.

Please tell me what the basics are to this cam seal job. Do i lift the cam up and throw a seal in and plo9p it back down, or what??!?!?

 

First make sure you mark everything really well before taking the timing belt off. Then once it's removed you can pop the cam gears off. I think there is another special tool for this but you don't need it. So if your looking at the motor the driver's side cam seal should have a little cover on it with (2) bolts undo those bolts and the seal should come right out. The passenger side was a itlle tricky and again if I remember there is a special tool for this but we Just use dental tools, standard screwdriver and a hammer and basically just chilsed it away until it came out. then we put the new one in and used a large socket to seat it. remeber if a lip has formed on the metal at either seal push the seal past thaty to make sure you are getting good contact everywhere. then put the cam gears back on exactly how they came off.