Hello all,

So my clutch went out 2 months ago and I just had a new Fidanza flywheel and Stage 2 clutch put on about a month ago, only 1,500 miles of driving since then, oil change at the same time, new suspension, rear differential and trans fluid changed, a couple half axles replaced, just a good overall check. The Fidanza rattles like a bastard, really noisy unless the clutch pedal is engaged, and even then it rattles at low RPM on acceleration. Hasn't gotten better since they put it in.

The other downside? I didn't have the money to do the timing belt, was going to do it when my tax refund money came in, I have 180k on the car.

Was driving to the airport today, good oil pressure, good oil and coolant temps, nothing strange at all. I'm in a good mood, it's a beautiful day, no one on an 8 lane divided highway at the break of dawn but me, so I gently accelerate to 100 just enjoying it before I get off the highway. As I top the hill to the exit ramp, I let off the accelerator and just let her idle in 6th gear as it starts slowing down. Suddenly, about the time I hit 60 and start applying brakes, the whole care starts bucking, dash lights flashing, RPM going to zero to 1,500 to zero 3 or 4 times before I can jam the clutch in. Car coasting, engine is off, CEL is on.

I try to start the car while still coasting with the key, I get a grinding sound from the starter, no engine rotation. Passing through 35 mph slowing I drop the transmission into 2nd to pop the clutch, bucking and flashing dash again, so I just put it in neutral again and pull onto the shoulder. Oil temp and coolant temp are still normal, oil checks full, no signs of metal. After checking all that I try to start the car again. Grinding starter, no engine rotation.

Had the car towed home; there's no good Audi shop anywhere near the airport. So I'm wondering, will jumped timing / bent valve lock the engine completely like this? I'm used to Mitsubishi engines, which are also interference engines, but when you jump timing it just bends all the valves and doesn't lock the engine, it will turn just no compression. Haven't had the 2.7T apart yet so not sure if the valves could interfere THAT much to lock up the engine???

If so, am I just looking at a partial rebuild or should I just start shopping a replacement engine off the forums here, an insurance auction, or eBay???

Just trying to get a head start before I get home tomorrow and try to move the crankshaft with a wrench both directions see if it's COMPLETELY locked or just impacted and won't rotate past whatever is blocking it. Thanks.

 

Almost 100 views of the thread and no one knows if:

a.) A timing belt jumping can lock up the entire engine?

b.) If the engine locks up like that can I simply R&R the heads & timing belt job and get back on the road? (I've done that on plenty Turbo Mitsu engines, not a big deal if you're not racing).

Any help from those who have rebuilt these engines would be helpful. Just want my daily driver back.

 

From what I've read, even if you have a catastrophic timing failure, the engine would still turn. You would just end up with "valve/ piston salad." I think you may have something a little more serious, such as a broken rod or something. No way of really telling until you get in there. Good luck!

 

That rattling aftermarket flywheel could be the problem. If the flywheel blew it is possible the starter will not engage.
As far as diagnosing over the internet it can be difficult. I Wold pop a timing cover off & take a peak inside.

 

we had almost same syptoms motor running great then bam ended up flywheel ring sensor let go at high rpms .tore up inside on trans and throws the timming off . double whammy because a flywheel with less than 15 hrs on it failed. go steel

 

Just curious , was it the same manufacturer?

 

Wow, that's awful, decafe. On one hand I hope that it's just the flywheel because I don't want to replace the engine but, on the other hand, if the flywheel trashed the engine's output shaft I'll have to replace it anyway and, if it jumped timing when it did it, same problem! And yes, I'd like to know also, was it a Fidanza or another manufacturer?

I have to get my beat-up Dodge truck running better today (it's my primary driver until I fix this but the speedo doesn't work and neither do the tail running lamps so it's not night legal so I have to fix those). If I can get those two main items done today I'll take the timing belt cover off and see what's up with the timing belt and also see if I can move the engine "backwards" or if it's completely locked.

Quick noob question, when viewing from the front, does the engine rotate clockwise or counter clockwise (for crank turning info). I think it's normally counter-clockwise but not 100% certain. Thanks!

 

should be mainly valve damage. maybe some scorching on the pistons. shouldnt be to expensive of a rebuild, if youre doing the work yourself. i'd get a new engine if youre gonna pay someone else to do it.