Help! Don't want to get ripped off, Inlet Manifold Flap Linkage broken!

Hi all, hopefully someone can help. I have an Audi A3 sport TDI quattro (170bhp) it is a 56 plate. I have just had it MOT'd and Serviced by the dealer. When I bought it from this dealer just over a year ago, it was supposed to have had a full service service history. It had a winter check with the dealer in October 2010 too. I do about 6k miles a year so nothing really.

When I picked up my A3, there was a note on the bottom of the docket that said: Technicians Report: Inlet Manifold Flap Linkage broken and leaking oil and requires replacing- £792 inc VAT

They have said I need to get this done as this will reduce the fuel economy and power output of the car also I will need to top up oil regularly. Plus long term damage to the engine.

At the moment I have none of the symptoms on other threads, (i.e. F8 fuse blown, No Aircon, EML on). The car seems to go as normal, and the fuel economy seems about right (43mpg on motorway)

I've asked a garage that I trust and they said I will have to source the part myself and they will fit it. at a fraction of the cost.

Does anyone know if this is a proper problem or are they trying to pull the wool over my eyes and if it does need replacing, where do I get the parts from, what are the parts or part numbers and whats the average cost for the parts. Can this be easily replaced without any complications later? Or can I get by without it as everything seem ok, or will this bring complications later?

A lot of questions I know, I'm new to this forum so hopefully someone can help. Cheers

Yeah I thought that was massively over priced considering the price of the parts mentioned on here in other threads. I have since been looking into this a bit more. I have managed to source a inlet manifold flap linkage from 247spares.co.uk for £12.99 inc VAT and delivery! I have it booked in to a VW/Audio specialist at the weekend to double check what, if anything, is really wrong. When telling the specialist about what the dealer had said, he was confused as he said it shouldn't be leaking oil as it hasn't got any in it! He also said if it's the part he thinks, then it should only cost about £220 parts and labor.

I called the dealer and enquired more about the problem. I asked why the manifold which manages the fuel and air mix (as I understand it, maybe wrong, really not that good with what's under the bonnet) has oil leaking from it in the first place. They said there's oil sprayed around it and the linkage is broken and leaking. I asked where the linkage was. They replied, it joins the the inlet manifold to the rest of the car. I ask why they were charging this price when I can get the linkage for £12.99. The said you can't, it's inside the manifold and you can't buy them separately! So by their definition, it's a part that lives inside the manifold and outside at the same time, mixes fuel and air only but also mixes oil and leaks from a part inside but manages to get outside form the inside out part!!!!! Idiots!

Thanks, this is the sort of explanation I needed from the dealer. The more I understand about it the more I think they didn't want me to really know what was wrong as this wouldnt justify the price they are charging.

I'm definitely going to get it fix by the VW/Audi Specialist and I'll be using new parts, the parts I sourced off the Internet were just to see how cheap I could get it done for in comparison to their exstortionate price.

Ok been to the audi specialist. He says it can be one of two things. The seal on the vacuum pump has gone or the seal in the manifold where the vacuum pump arm attaches has gone and he can't tell without taking it off. He says the vacuum pump will cost me about £9 for a new part + labor. But if it's the seal on the manifold then the part is £430 for this. Goes in tues, will find out then. Either way it will be much cheaper than the dealer. Plus I need the haldex oil and filter changing anyway so with this and the other two parts being replaced (he said if it's the manifold, might as well change the other bit at the same time for the extra £9) I still will save £413 over the dealers quote formthe same.

Hi Audi_A3 , thanks for that I'll take a look, however, problem 1, the manifold flap isn't damaged so cleaning it won't stop the leak. The linkage (or seal) which as I understand it (really don't know what I'm talking about here) is attached to the rod? that turns the flaps in the manifold is damaged and leaking. This is leaking over the vacuum pump and alternator, hence not knowing if it is a seal on the vacuum pump or the manifold itself, also I have no EML a all. The vacuum pump holds pressure and works ok to my knowledge, but until it's taken apart, there's no way of knowing where the leak is. Which leads on to problem 2.

Problem 2, Im so not the person to change these parts! I would much rather get someone qualified to change this for me no matter how easy it sounds. After all I take my family out in this car and the piece of mind along is worth paying money.

Interesting that you suggest these sites, I have taken a look and can't find any of the parts needed for my make and model. If you could provide a link that would be great. I may be wrong, but as I understand it, a new inlet manifold is an audi part only and there lies the problem as they dictate the price. If it's not from Audi then it's not made by them of it's second hand and I'd rather buy new I think.