He thinks that the sump oil pickup line is clogged, which as you probably know is an issue with these engines if oil is not changed regularly. Given that in my 2 years of ownership, it has been changed at least every 8k, I blame the previous owner/workshop who either used **** oil or skipped a change when it was needed. That, or the stupid Audi concept of "log life oil" is the root cause.
I think you have to take the sump off to see it and then you might as well buy a brand new one and replace it at the same time. Factor in the cost of the oil as existing oil will need to be drained, plus labor, so it adds up.
Thanks mate!
Yeah, thankfully one of my planned expenses for intake manifold media blasting is no longer needed with a new engine
I was planning on making a video and sharing it tonight once the engine has cooled down. When warm, the top end just sounds much louder and extremely close to an old diesel. When it's cold there is a distinct rattle from, what sounds like, the bottom end.
I'm paraphrasing here and may be off, but how Andy explained it to me - if the engine has been starved of oil over time the bearings on the crankshaft will wear and become looser. When the engine is cold, the pistons/conrods will have more room to move around due to the shrinking effect of cool metal and that is what could be causing the bottom end to make the rattling sound I have been noticing. The S3 CDL engine is an incredibly strong unit, so the slight movement is not enough to make it go boom immediately, but over time the added stress and wear caused by this movement and continued lack of lubrication will get to a point where there will be no getting away from stuff going boom.
I'm no mechanic, but it all makes sense and confirms the nagging feeling I've been having for a while now. The three options I had were to rebuild the engine (very expensive and will take me off the road for a while), get a used engine and recondition it as much as possible (still expensive and no guaranty that it has been looked after) and last option is new engine (incredibly expensive, but less risky). Thankfully @mjr901 swooped in to help and is sorting me out with brand new engine for what seems to be a massive bargain price! I think I'll owe him a beer or two after this
Great! Next time I'm in your neck of the woods I'll be sure to let you knowOh I do like beer!
That's exactly it in a nutshellMan, I absolutely love this S3 and while stuff like this makes you wonder about what other options are available. Thing is, I have put so much effort and money into this car to make it my own and improve other aspects of it, that I can't bear to get rid of it. I can't think of a more perfect car for me and the family - the understated looks, enough space to carry all three of us in great comfort for long distances, handles just like how I like a car to handle and has plenty of go for the kind of driving I do. With a new engine, I think I'll hold on to it for much, much longer
Man, I absolutely love this S3 and while stuff like this makes you wonder about what other options are available. Thing is, I have put so much effort and money into this car to make it my own and improve other aspects of it, that I can't bear to get rid of it. I can't think of a more perfect car for me and the family - the understated looks, enough space to carry all three of us in great comfort for long distances, handles just like how I like a car to handle and has plenty of go for the kind of driving I do. With a new engine, I think I'll hold on to it for much, much longer
Sorry pal,
Can I ask what miles were on the car
Here is a video of what it sounds like @HHS3 , but the phone mic is not picking up the underlying booming sound coming from the head. The high-frequency clicking are the injectors and really, the only sound you should be hearing from the TFSI engine. My unit has a loud and quite distinct clunking/diesel-like sound, which is not normal. It's like the cam shaft has worn out and is lifting higher than the valves reach, so when it comes down again it makes a more pronounced clunking. Like I say though, phone doesn't seem to pick this up all that well, but you can just make it out if you listen hard enough.
The bottom end may have not cooled down enough to sound like it does early in the morning, so can't hear much there.
Having spoken to S3Alex about the RFD, if you're staying at stage 2+ then there really isn't any point of getting it done as you'll only get an extra 10bhp at peak power which you won't notice to be honest, you have to get them mapped out as well otherwise start-ups aren't very nice either.Now, a big turbo or hybrid is out of the question due to the already huge cost of these items, but I'm sure there are other small bits that are a pig to fit when the engine is in place, but still offer some performance or reliability benefits.
Not sure if worth it:
- Intake Manifold Runner Flap Delete - is there a benefit here with just Stg2+? If so, which kit to go for?
- Silicone hoses - I doubt there is a performance benefit here, but may go for a blue set to match the rest of the car
- Turbo muffler delete - again, will I see an improvement?
@leshkin , you've to be commended for your positive attitude with this, I've a few issues with mine and almost at the stage of loosing my mind.
Thanks for that, I actually just ordered the CTS items todaysorry to hear the bad news mate
Have you already replaced the throttle and discharge pipes? as these could be done at the same time to go along with the new intercooler.
Silicone hoses aren't going to get you any performance benefits as you say but it'll be a nice looking engine bay
I've not heard of this TMD before, so would be interested in knowing more about this myself.
That's exactly it - the phone mic is not capable of picking up the lower frequencies that you can hear in person all that well, I can just pick some of the noise out but it's right at the edge of what the phone can record.
I think the plan is to get the engine to Storm some time next week and once the additional bits arrive, I want to get the work done as soon as possible after that. Feel free to pop over at any point and we can compare them.
http://samtechperformance.co.uk/ - never used them before, but the price seems too good to pass on, so I called and spoke to them. They have a very big shipment from CTS due in early next week, so hopefully I will not have to wait long to get it.Where did you order the cts throttle pipe from please ?
Part of me feels very sorry for such a **** thing happening to you, but the more I read your posts it's clear that your make lemonade attitude will only turn this into something good. You'll get to have a new slate of an engine while at the same time keeping all the hard work you've spent on the car. Good luck to you @leshkin!
Anyway I must dash, a TDI oil burner guy in a S3 thread is always going to end badly
Hope the mini isn't a money pit like the S3 lol
I've heard of this oil pickup pipe, after today's work, then that's the only thing left to check on my S3 and then she should be as right as rain (****** hope so after spending £1,100 alone this month!).
How much work is involved to check this? Is there any telltale signs of any potential problems? Wouldn't mind getting Andy to have a quick look over mine but I'm pretty skint at the moment.
Definitely worth doing! You possibly dodged a bullet thereJust had mine done, red oil pressure light came on, didn't have low oil light come on for what seemed like ages, it was completely blocked... about £200 all in with new oil I think I paid...
Just had mine done, red oil pressure light came on, didn't have low oil light come on for what seemed like ages, it was completely blocked... about £200 all in with new oil I think I paid...
Cool, cheers for that Tony.
So the £200 was for the new oil pickup pipe, oil and labour? Not as bad as I thought, I guess it's the oil sump which is expensive if needs replacing. I need a new A/C compressor unfortunately, so this will now have to wait a little longer.
Yeh, the pipes about £30, couple hours labour, decent oil refill... Happy now it's done!
Are you going to do the runner flap delete while the engines out?