Do we know Allroads?

I do not.   

Woman bought a nice green 2023 model with tan interior, the Stealership doesn't want anything to do with her old 2015 with 119k miles. Probably going for a private sale but it has issues, throwing codes and runs on limp mode.  Right now the lady will get zero dollars for the car, so if I unlimp it, find a buyer she will give me half the proceeds.  I don't need the money, certainly don't need another project but want to help her out.

What I know:  Code is PO300 - Misfire Detected.  When asking about service history (the only place she took it) the Dealer said it changed hands 10 months ago and the previous owner took all records with him.  Perhaps Audi NA can help.

There's a class action law suit against Audi for the rings, they are too thin, allowing oil to blow by.  Solution is new pistons and rings, not with OEMs.  Cylinder #3 has zero compression and the spark plug hole is full of oil.  I won't get hands on until next weekend, bringing compression tester etc.  What else do I look for?

It's a nice looking car; silver with black leather and about every bell & whistle on the list.   WWGRMD?

Not the actual car, but it looks like this.

In reply to 914Driver :

So, are you saying that you suspect it needs new pistons and rings, at least in #3 cylinder?  

This doesn't sound like it's worth your time and effort. 

Yeah the B8 2.0 is garbage thanks to the rings, and this one is too high mileage to qualify for the class action results. 

You can replace the AOS (air oil separator), plugs, and coil packs along with an oil change to 5W40 Liqui-Moly and it might come back. 

The issue is with the too thin rings there's not good oil control and the AOS fills up and then clogs, which dumps all the oil back into the engine at, you guessed it, cylinder #3, washing the cylinder and filling the plug. 

Failing getting it running, they are good to part out as the regular Avant owners all want the Allroad widebody kit.

This one explains it a little and shows the AOS. It was bad on mine a well, but we caught it early. 

914Driver said:

 

There's a class action law suit against Audi for the rings, they are too thin, allowing oil to blow by.  Solution is new pistons and rings, not with OEMs.  Cylinder #3 has zero compression and the spark plug hole is full of oil. 

  What else do I look for?

 

 

A different project.   

This kit is $378 but OEM.  For a little time and effort it could go another 50,000?

Do they have any interesting engine swap possibilities?

MadScientistMatt said:

Do they have any interesting engine swap possibilities?

Very, the same generation S4. Audi never brought that generation S4 over as an Avant and the 3.0 is a tune away from over 400HP. Being that this car is an auto, you can use the auto 3.0T that was super common in A6, A8, Q5, etc.

Sounds like this is one to walk away from.  Can't see it worthwhile rebuilding the motor or replacing it.  Gotta figure that any used motor you'd have to deal with this same issue

Course I do. Hes here on the forum. Pretty sure you've talked to him.

There's a VW dealership next door to my work. There's a tech who drives an Allroad. It has a bumper sticker that says "Allroad Repair Kit" with a picture of a hand grenade. That tells me all I need to know.

I have a 2014, has the class action suit been settled?

Mine has about 73K, but does not burn oil (yet?)

What's a worst case scenario? You send a few hundred bucks and a few hours work to the junkyard? Is the owner ok with that? 
 

what's the upside; how much do you think you can get for it fixed?

Its interesting that a 2015 is having n issue. In 2012 the pistons were changed and that helped the oil burning alot. Timing chains are an issue though.  Maybe it jumped time? Swap in a used motor and sell?

dculberson said:

What's a worst case scenario? You send a few hundred bucks and a few hours work to the junkyard? Is the owner ok with that? 
 

what's the upside; how much do you think you can get for it fixed?

I agree with this.
If the rebuild doesn't change the issue, then you send it off to be picked over at the local yard.  Hell, you post it up on CL or FBM or wherever, it'll still be better than getting $0 from the dealership for it.

Hell I'm wondering what you'd want to get for it as is. Pass it along to one of us to beat our heads against. 

My wife's 2015 is an awesome car.  Planning on timing chain and associated maintenance next year.  Great road trip car. Super comfortable and hauls a ton of stuff.  It's at 90k miles.  :Knocks on wood:

dculberson said:

Hell I'm wondering what you'd want to get for it as is. Pass it along to one of us to beat our heads against. 

Again, same.

Will it drive on and off a trailer under its own power, even if weak power?

If yes, that's enough for IAA auction to label it as "runs and drives". I choose IAA because no one will actually be allowed to drive it, only start it. But, most bidders will just bid off the pictures. 

The IAA audience is rebuilders and dismantlers. You can set a reserve price and I'd shoot for $4k reserve. 

It costs $100 to have IAA run it through their auction and that $100 gets you into 2 weekly auctions if it doesn't meet reserve the first week. 

Not everything IAA sells is salvage title. Many cars are clean title like yours would be. 

Fixed, it will take awhile to sell for $12k, but should go quick at $10k. Figure after parts cost, that's $9k or so to split. Is $4500 worth your time?

Steve_Jones said:

Fixed, it will take awhile to sell for $12k, but should go quick at $10k. Figure after parts cost, that's $9k or so to split. Is $4500 worth your time?

Based on this math would she just be happy to get $4-5k from someone to take it away?  OP can say he helped and everyone is happy.

Skip fixing it yourself. A zero compression cylinder isn't one of the "normal" problem.  My 15 Jetta TSI has the oil ring issue and it is perfect (high compression, runs well) other than eating boatloads of oil. 

I like the ideas of unloading to auction and making it someone else's problem. That's exactly what auctions are for.

Stopped by my friend's shop after snow blowing this morning to pose some questions.  He's done two before using a kit similar to the one I posted above.  I asked the ebay seller if the pistons and rings were OEM like the ones that started so many law suits, he was pretty non-committed, honestly I don't think he knew.

My friend says he expected Chinese knock offs in the kit but the chains were high end and the pistons were Mahle, the skinny OEM ones are not even available.  Thank you!  So, pull the engine, run it through the hot bath and rebuild everything, reinstall to car about $5k.  I asked about plug 'n play from another model VW or Audi, he said S4.

Will let you know how this ends.

Well the thick plottens.  Explaining the engine history and stuff to the lady, she sheepishly asked if I knew if anyone would give $1500 for it.  Well yeah.

Paperwork will be complete tonight.