AAN gave up on the motorway - can you help?

[urS6Tom]

Hi - had my first ever problem with the urS6 last night. Gutted... I was driving from Somerset to London. 2 hrs into the journey, doing 70mph on the M25, put my foot down gently to overtake but there was no boost - just a big vibration. Immediately knew something was wrong. Coasted along for a couple of miles but plenty of smoke coming out the back so pulled over. Opened bonnet and lots of steam, bubbling out of the top of the rocker cover and oil everywhere, particularly all over the gearbox. Also lots of oil on the rear windscreen where it'd come through the exhaust. Called the AA and they put in on a truck and drove me home.

Anyone have any clue what might have gone wrong? It's a stock AAN apart from a generic remap by MRC about 2 years ago (where they also did a healthcheck/pressure check on the engine). It's never skipped a beat before this so I'm a bit shocked to be honest

Be grateful for any thoughts/diagnosis.

Cheers,
Tom

[s2martyn]

ooh no...sounds terminal

headgasket/rings/turbo/leak of some sort??
needs a proper investigation by the sounds of it....
is it missing?using water?oil?

[urS6Tom]

ooh no...sounds terminal

headgasket/rings/turbo/leak of some sort??
needs a proper investigation by the sounds of it....
is it missing?using water?oil?

Not missing or using water/oil. I thought it felt like a headgasket (had the same on an old Renault 5 once), but no sign of temp problems - all dials reading normal.

Any recommendations on someone to give it a proper check over in London?

[Fat Audi 80]

The Autopool in Iver is probably the closest that I know and could recommend to you.

I can't help with a diagnosis I am afraid.

Good luck.

Cheers,

Steve.

[urS6Tom]

Just heard from the local garage that it's dropped a valve so engine complete write off I think. RIP

Not sure what to do now.. how much is a new AAN engine? This is not good at all..

[AndyP]

I know where there is a 90,000mile ABY engine coming up for sale soon, only difference between ABY and AAN is ancilleries so it will fit. Only problem is that it's still in the car at present so if your in a rush it's no good.
PM me if your interested

[urS6Tom]

I know where there is a 90,000mile ABY engine coming up for sale soon, only difference between ABY and AAN is ancilleries so it will fit. Only problem is that it's still in the car at present so if your in a rush it's no good.
PM me if your interested

PM sent - is it really a straight swap, ECU and everything stays the same?

[Rusty]

Secondhand engines come up every now and again and with S4/S6 and Avants being regularly broken for parts you should get one pretty quickly. Stick a wanted thread up if AndyP's engine isn't going to happen fast enough.

[urS6Tom]

This one looks like a possibility. Has anyone bought stuff from this seller before? What do you look out for when buying an engine - do you need to hear it running?

Tom

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Audi-S6-S4-S2-...d=p3286.c0.m14

[Rusty]

If you can hear it running then at least you'll know if there's anything wrong with it. Might be worth getting it checked over by a garage or specialist first so that you know it's ready to roll when fitted. If you have any big power ideas then a new set of rods and balance might also be a good idea but not if you're on a budget... Audiman Tom or Aelred would be my ports of call for such a job.

[urS6Tom]

If you can hear it running then at least you'll know if there's anything wrong with it. Might be worth getting it checked over by a garage or specialist first so that you know it's ready to roll when fitted. If you have any big power ideas then a new set of rods and balance might also be a good idea but not if you're on a budget... Audiman Tom or Aelred would be my ports of call for such a job.

Cheers for the advice - I'll definitely contract Audiman as I think he's in Bristol (as am I quite a lot)

I suppose the other way of looking at this is if I'm thinking of making bottom end upgrades then it might be worth rebuilding the one that went bang last night.. or is it a 'don't even think about it' situation once a valve has dropped through?

[merlin's S4]

This one looks like a possibility. Has anyone bought stuff from this seller before? What do you look out for when buying an engine - do you need to hear it running?

Tom

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Audi-S6-S4-S2-...d=p3286.c0.m14

I've used Will at VAudi recycling a few times and always found him to be very helpful. I would have expected him to offer a warranty with his spares so it's worth talking to him about it. I'm not sure I'd want to spend quite that much on an engine though but I guess in your situation you may be forced to. I'm pretty sure that that particular engine has been for sale for some months so I'd recommend bartering, and don't let them know you're desperate!!

[GazzaG60]

you may have no damage except head damage. best to inspect. it way be repairable on the head, maybe even a new guide and valve and the seats cut.

if its damaged a piston it wil lbe a new piston. there may be no other damage to the engine.

how was it deturmined it is a "dropped valve"

1. take the plugs out. what colours are they, are they the same, any oil/metal contanimated.
2. do a compression test. any really bad results/very different.

ive had 2 instances where i thought "well, ive overdone it here" both times the engine was fine. both times it sounded like a bag of spanners. 1 snapped cam and one dead cam sensor.

[220bhp]

I cant see it being a dropped valve if you drove it for a couple of miles.

[urS6Tom]

I cant see it being a dropped valve if you drove it for a couple of miles.

Really? The 'dropped valve' diagnosis is from the mechanic at my local garage who is pretty good but no Audi specialist. He hasn't taken the head off, so no idea how he came to that conclusion but will find out later on...