New S3 Owner saying Hello!

[MeaneyMachine]

Title says it all really guys and girls. Hello!!

Just bought a 2007 S3 3dr with 77k on the clock and thought i'd take 2 mins of my employers time to introduce myself

Since purchasing I have fitted 4 Goodyear Eagle F1A's and ST matching springs and shocks.
Didn't intend to replace the suspension so soon but with 1 blown shock absorber and 2 leaking it was probably a wise decision. Thanks to Damian @DPM for getting it to me so quickly so close to Christmas. Legend.

I've already purchased DV, PCV and cam follower which will all be fitted in the next few weeks.

Have no paperwork regarding the cam chain tensioner so that will be ordered very shortly (if required, see below)

I've spent a fair few hours digging through the threads and it's quite clear these cars can be troublesome, I know I've bought a money pit I just don't know how deep it goes yet

My only real questions at this point are - 1. Does a pre 2008 S3 suffer the same issues regarding cam chain tensioners as later models? and - 2. If 95% of your driving is commuting to and from work with no performance mods fitted is 5w40 the best viscosity for my car opposed to the VAG 5w30?

Thanks in advance

Rhys

 

[paddy]

Hi Rhys
welcome

I would run the recommended 5/30 and see what the consumption is like then go thicker if need be . I was using 2x 1 ltr top ups between annual changes on 5/30 and all but cured that with 5/40, i now run 5/50 just because of the state of tune and higher temps on the Turbo.

 

[Parptarf]

Fellow new S3 owner here, also an '07 3dr, but I have 125k km on the clock.

From what I have found out online, I doesn't seem like chain tensioners is that big of an issue on the EA113 engines, the timing is done with a belt so that whole stretched timing chain ordeal isn't present. I'm in the same boat as you about the cam chain tensioner though, I have no idea when it was repalced, probably a very good idea to at least inspect it. I just took a look at my cam follower and it was in good condition.(Still gonna get a new one)

I did a little bit of reserach on oils for this car and it seems it's a toss up really. 5w30, 5w40 or 0w40 are the most reccomended viscoseties. I replaced the fresh 5w30 oil that was in my car when I bought it with 0w40 502.00/505.01 spec oil from Mobil 1. I guess it all depends on what you use your car for, temperatures, prices and oil consumption.

 

[Bloxham]

I'd be wanting to be sure the car has the latest version of cam chain tensioner fitted, apparently there were several versions before VW got it right.

 

[Parptarf]

I'd be wanting to be sure the car has the latest version of cam chain tensioner fitted, apparently there were several versions before VW got it right.

Any information on partnumbers or visual confirmation on which part you have? I tried to do some googling but couldn't find anything definitive.

 

[Bloxham]

I believe the latest cam chain tensioner is 06K 109 467K but you really need to look it up for your engine code to be sure of getting it right.

 

[prt57]

It is the TSI engines that have the worrying cam chain tensioner, not the TFSI engine as used in the S3 8P. It can get a bit rattly at high mileage and can be changed then. There is no service interval for this as not all chains become ratttly.

We have a TT TFSI that was a bit of an oil burner. Changed to Millers Nanodrive 5w- 40 NT+ and consumption is much reduced.
In fact I use the same oil in an S3 8P and a Mk 4 GTi 1.8T.
Perfect also if you intend to tune your car in the future.

I don’t think these cars are a money pit but it certainly pays to keep on top of servicing.
Well worth having the Haldex filter changed. Again, not changed at Audi but available at some independent VAG specialists.

 

[MeaneyMachine]

Thanks for all the replies chaps, some really useful info there.

It puts my mind to rest about the cam chain tensioner a little but i think i’ll replace it anyway, when i’ve got the time to change it in the next couple of months.

The Millers oil certainly does get its rave reviews so making that part of my upcoming service kit is a no brainer.

I’m pretty hot on my general maintenance so hopefully no bad surprises in the future!!

 

[samuelh_888]

The cam belt and water pump would be more of a concern if there is no record of these being changed. I mention water pump, as it needs to be removed to get to the belt so change both at the same time.

 

[MeaneyMachine]

I have a receipt of both of those being done a couple thousand miles ago

 

[paddy]

If the last owner did the belt and pump bang on time that's a pretty good sign that everything else has been done as it should be. Just stick to the annual oil change and service when due and enjoy the car.

 

[SootySport]

Stick with 5/30 VW spec oil for a normal road car and standard tune. Come the time you go for remap then it’s time for 5/40 oil.

 

[S3Jay]

Welcome Rhys. I have not long become an S3 owner too. Got mine in late 2019. It's a 2010 model with about 65k on the clock. Couldn't refuse with that mileage!!. I think it depends on what engine you have in your S3 in terms of reliability. I have worked in the Volkswagen Audi group for a good couple of years now and haven't really seen the CDLA engines in for much other than routine maintenance. The other variants which are chain do have the tensioner issues and oil consumption but all engines for the S3 do tend to suffer from cam follower(More so when mapped or high mileage), Coil packs, PCV failure and some other little niggles. There is a good thread on here which gives you alot of info about S3's and common failures and tips on preventative maintenance which may be worth a look. I'm still new to this forum so don't know how to hyperlink it but it is in the 8p a3/s3 section and I think it has been stickied.

all the best

 

[Bloxham]

Happy to be corrected, but as far as I can see, none of the 8P S3 was fitted with the EA888 chain drive engine.
I was surprised at this, as the Octavia VRS, for example, appears to have the EA888 from 2009 onwards.
The clue when looking at an under-bonnet photo is the dipstick location, the EA888 dipstick is near the coolant sphere, whereas the old belt drive engine the dipstick is at the front of the engine.

 

[samuelh_888]

The S3 8P was fitted with the EA113 engine, BHZ code of CDLA for the 09’ish - 12 years.

The CDLA is the strongest of the EA113 series. Keep on top of the maintenance and they’ll be fine. The cam follower; Audi barely acknowledge that this needs to be changed.

If you end up doing you cam chain tensioner you’d do the chain too right?

Get your haldex oil and filter changes - again, Audi don’t recognise this as a serviceable part and here don’t even list a part for the filter, oil.

The 8P 1.8 Tfsi was the EA888 - this engine initially suffered from oil usage issues which Audi accepted after law suits. I had an 09 A3 and it was perfect, didn’t use any oil.

I don’t think the 2.0 EA888 made it into the 8P, but the 8V.

 

[S3Jay]

Happy to be corrected, but as far as I can see, none of the 8P S3 was fitted with the EA888 chain drive engine.
I was surprised at this, as the Octavia VRS, for example, appears to have the EA888 from 2009 onwards.
The clue when looking at an under-bonnet photo is the dipstick location, the EA888 dipstick is near the coolant sphere, whereas the old belt drive engine the dipstick is at the front of the engine.

You are right John. Sorry I was referring to the chain on the other side. I have only ever seen or heard of failures on the other engine variants with regards to chain. Not the CLDA for some reason.

Take care

 

[SootySport]

The E888 2.0 was fitted to the facelift A3’s 08 to 12. Engine code CCZA. Only problem was the usual Audi tensioner, as usual.