Exhaust Manifold Leak 2011 A7 3.0 TDI

[audiA7kidd]

Hey all,

So I’ve been having a chuffing noise coming from the passenger side of the engine.

Took it to my local engine specialist, they’ve done a job for me before (turbo and injector replacement at £1500) so I know they could be trusted etc. £50 charge for diagnostic, turns out there’s a leak in the exhaust manifold. Also you can feel air/gas if you put your hand next to the exhaust manifold area.

The issue is that they are now looking at getting prices for parts and estimated labour. I’m confused about this as they’ve not opened it up to see exactly what the issue could be.

It could potentially be down to a worn/corroded nut/screw that has come loose or broken. This would be best case scenario.

Also it could be a crack or damage to the exhaust manifold gasket.

Lastly the exhaust manifold would need replacing but this is worst case scenario.

I’m not a mechanic so I may be completely wrong about the above but does anyone think there should be further diagnosis before estimation for repairs are made?

Thank you


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[Corb2000]

Hey all,

So I’ve been having a chuffing noise coming from the passenger side of the engine.

Took it to my local engine specialist, they’ve done a job for me before (turbo and injector replacement at £1500) so I know they could be trusted etc. £50 charge for diagnostic, turns out there’s a leak in the exhaust manifold. Also you can feel air/gas if you put your hand next to the exhaust manifold area.

The issue is that they are now looking at getting prices for parts and estimated labour. I’m confused about this as they’ve not opened it up to see exactly what the issue could be.

It could potentially be down to a worn/corroded nut/screw that has come loose or broken. This would be best case scenario.

Also it could be a crack or damage to the exhaust manifold gasket.

Lastly the exhaust manifold would need replacing but this is worst case scenario.

I’m not a mechanic so I may be completely wrong about the above but does anyone think there should be further diagnosis before estimation for repairs are made?

Thank you


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I guess they can quote you a price range for all those scenarios before you commit to them opening it up - at least you’d know the worst case cost before the car is off the road.


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[audiA7kidd]

I guess they can quote you a price range for all those scenarios before you commit to them opening it up - at least you’d know the worst case cost before the car is off the road.


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So they’ve found that the manifold it’s self has cracked and that’s why it was chuffing on idle.

Repairs and labour at £882. They said they will take off £30 for military discount so pretty happy.


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[Corb2000]

Ouch, but then repairs on A7s tend to test our wallets.


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[fielding67]

So they’ve found that the manifold it’s self has cracked and that’s why it was chuffing on idle.

Repairs and labour at £882. They said they will take off £30 for military discount so pretty happy.


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I had exactly the same symptoms with mine a year ago. It turned out to be leaking injector seals. There is a vent from just above the manifold where the gas chuffs. The other tell tale is black tar like deposits on top of manifold. Worth getting a second look.
I was all geared up to change the manifold and was dreading the job. i took a look on here and on YouTube and that’s when I discovered it’s a common age related thing with this engine. replacing the seals was a much simpler job. I see you had injectors done. Could they have overtightened them? Not cleaned the seats and so seals have burnt out?

if you can feel chuffing as you pass hand from front to back along the bank or in line with a specific injector this would help point in this direction?
would be odd to have a crack in the manifold unless it’s had some sort of impact?

 

[audiA7kidd]

Not been on here in a while so apologies for the late reply.

So you are exactly right. There’s black tar deposits on the cylinder head.

The garage I brought it to tapped and sealed the hole but it didn’t work. When I was driving my car stalled a few times and went to limp mode.

This was back at the end of November. I had the car towed to the garage and it’s still there!! They’ve taken it apart, tapped and sealed where they believe the leak in the cylinder head is, put it back together but the same issue has come up again. This time they believe there’s another hole in the head that’s allowing gas to leak through (chuffs). The bill has already racked up to £1000 and will probs cost more. They’ve quoted £4500 for a new head replacement but hopefully it doesn’t come to that!! Would probs cost around the same to fit a used (but working) engine

I’m going to speak to the garage tomorrow to see what the next step is.


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[audiA7kidd]

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[audiA7kidd]

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[audiA7kidd]

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[audiA7kidd]

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[audiA7kidd]

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