S4 Rocker Arm Bearings....a common fault or not?

[me77or]

Hi all

After 116000 miles of mostly unfaltering miles i'm starting to think about exchanging my S3 8P for an S4/S5 B9.

Having done initial research on the B9 the issue of the failing rocker arm bearings has come up.

TBH it's putting me off taking the plunge and I'm looking at C43 Mercedes now too.

Is the rocker arm bearings an inevitable and common issue with this engine? How many of you guys have encountered it and what are the tell tale signs of failed bearings?

Cheers

Nick

 

[NHN]

I've mostly read of this on the SQ5, didnt realise it was on the S5 also although these engines share allot of things of course, damn was planning that as next car lol.

 

[spartacus68]

Watch the videos on VAG Technic in Dudley.

They've just sorted a Porsche Cayenne 2.9TFSI but there have had B9 S4s through the workshop. As far as I know Audi revised the rocker arms to increase the needle bearings, however I don't know the specifics. Audi should be able to confirm the revised part numbers and engine codes.

I think the key thing is regular oil service changes. Bear in mid some of these cars could have been on long service regimes from new and that's where the initial wear has taken place in first 2-3 year and always after the initial manufacturer warranty expires.

Fairly involved repair, drop engine, new rocker arms, new chains, guides, sprockets, gaskets, sometimes camshafts if wear is particularly bad. They usually do a walnut blast valve clean on the intake valves considering they have access.

Symptoms: metal swarf in the oil filter, tapping noise from engine, rough idle. Enough to make you cry.

I think it's possible to see if the car has been fitted with revised rocker arms based on build year or engine endoscope investigation.

 

[spartacus68]

VAG Technic just condemned a 17 plate S5. I think the mechanic that worked on it previously must have been a plumber in a previous life going by the amount of silicone sealant used.

Nice specification, Scuba Blue, panoramic and 360 degree cameras. Interestingly you can see some of the rocker arms (confirmed it was older specification) with endoscope camera.

 

[Jakereeves96]

I had an 8v S3, wanted an S4 B9 but was unsure due to the rocker arm issue. Just ended up taking the plunge, got it from an Audi main dealer with full service history. I don’t think it’s common enough to make me not want the car, if that makes sense

 

[me77or]

VAG Technic just condemned a 17 plate S5. I think the mechanic that worked on it previously must have been a plumber in a previous life going by the amount of silicone sealant used.

Nice specification, Scuba Blue, panoramic and 360 degree cameras. Interestingly you can see some of the rocker arms (confirmed it was older specification) with endoscope camera.

Thanks. I'll take a look...

 

[JohnS3]

The rocker issue effects several cars in the VAG range including B9 RS4, S4, SQ5, Panemera, cayenne (basically 3.0 TDI) and 8V S3. For the RS4 engines made after May 2019 should have the new roller design with larger pins. Which isn’t new and was used in the RS6 engines