Audi A3 oil consumption

3lOH55A said:
<snip>
In the end they covered everything except the timing chain. The dealership told Audi SA that the timing chain was a wear and tear item and that it was normal to wear out on a car that had less than 80.000km on the clock. I agreed to the wear and tear bit, but a timing chain to be worn out on a vehicle that has less than 80.000km is not normal. If the vehicle would've gone in for the next service they wouldn't have even looked at it, as A) apparently the schedule to have it changed is at 180.000 and B) you have to take the engine out to change it.
<snip>
Click to expand...
So yeah, I don't know what their standards are behind the scenes and I'm certainly not very clued up about this stuff. What I gather is that timing chain needs to be changed when the pistons, etc.. are changed as a matter of best practice?

So in my case my timing chain had been previously changed at around 49,000km under maintenance plan. So them changing it now again at 73,000km meant only 24,000km had been done, so definitely it would not normally be changed due to normal wear and tear with only 24,000km done on it. Perhaps the mileage done on your chain was within the range that they would say that it could conceivably be reaching the end of its lifespan. Either that or the dealership for whatever reason gave the wrong feedback to Audi SA hence they were not willing to absorb that cost?
 
StrontiumDog said:
So yeah, I don't know what their standards are behind the scenes and I'm certainly not very clued up about this stuff. What I gather is that timing chain needs to be changed when the pistons, etc.. are changed as a matter of best practice?

So in my case my timing chain had been previously changed at around 49,000km under maintenance plan. So them changing it now again at 73,000km meant only 24,000km had been done, so definitely it would not normally be changed due to normal wear and tear with only 24,000km done on it. Perhaps the mileage done on your chain was within the range that they would say that it could conceivably be reaching the end of its lifespan. Either that or the dealership for whatever reason gave the wrong feedback to Audi SA hence they were not willing to absorb that cost?
Click to expand...

It's crazy that it was replaced at 49000km already.

More so at 80000km on the other vehicle.

These guys really know how to take the piss.
 
Last edited:
Chains replaced so early? Wtf? Chains on my ml are over 270k km and 18 years old
 
SauRoNZA said:
It's crazy that it was replaced at 49000km already.

More so at 80000km on the other vehicle.

These guys really know how to take the piss.
Click to expand...

The timing chain on these engines are lubricated by the engine oil. If you have a vehicle that has had problems with the oil consumption, I'd imagine that the timing chain will fail prematurely. But the dealership, more the workshop manager argued saying it's not how it worked. I left it at that. My research was taken from an American Audi forum where this specific issue was discussed and eventually Audi lost a law suit and repaired all affected vehicles. Also, Audi SA was not interested in the slightest bit about this law suit in the states albeit a lot of engines having the exact same issue in SA.
 
StrontiumDog said:
So in my case my timing chain had been previously changed at around 49,000km under maintenance plan. So them changing it now again at 73,000km meant only 24,000km had been done, so definitely it would not normally be changed due to normal wear and tear with only 24,000km done on it. Perhaps the mileage done on your chain was within the range that they would say that it could conceivably be reaching the end of its life span?
Click to expand...

According to the US forum where this issue was discussed. The timing chain on these engines is due to be changed on 110k miles which is 175k km. So if they changed it it 49.000 already, there should've been a clear indication of something is majorly borked on that engine. But it was ignored wasn't it?
 
3lOH55A said:
According to the US forum where this issue was discussed. The timing chain on these engines is due to be changed on 110k miles which is 175k km. So if they changed it it 49.000 already, there should've been a clear indication of something is majorly borked on that engine. But it was ignored wasn't it?
Click to expand...

That's what I was getting at.

They replaced the chain so early but simply ignored the rest. It should be a sign of a major problem.

One would think on purposely knowing the customer would pay for the much bigger job later when the engine completely conked out.
 
3lOH55A said:
Just an update. Contacted Audi SA a few weeks back. The car went back to the dealer for another test and they found something was wrong with the consumption. Audi SA agreed to pay to cover all costs to have it fixed. Not yet sure what actually caused this.
Click to expand...

I have the exact same issue, had a thread here https://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/878792-Audi-A4-2011-2-0T-Multitronic-INSANE-OIL-CONSUMPTION!?highlight=audi+oil+consumption before I came across this one. Glad you eventually got our issues resolved.

Do you have any contact details for me for Audi SA, I may want to contact them.

I took my car for the oil consumption test as I had to throw in 3 pints approx every 1200km.
Audi said they can't do the oil consumption test because they weren't able to do a software update due to the computers complaining about an oil separator something. Going to cost me R5000 before I can even get to the test. 2011 A4 2.0l TFSI only 48k on the clock and I only have the car about 5-6 months :cry:

Seeing as you went through the process before any guidance will be much appreciated.

Thanks
 
@wizzard2, I'll reply on the thread you created then :) I have so many burning questions for you :p
 
StrontiumDog said:
@wizzard2, I'll reply on the thread you created then :) I have so many burning questions for you :p
Click to expand...

Shoot away.

Seeing as this is such a common issue, and many people have experienced this, I wonder why there hasn't been a class action suit against Audi SA already. I suppose it would take some resources, allot more than legalwise can provide lol, and probably someone to initiate the fight.
Has anyone here gotten any kind of legal advice as far as what one's options are?
 
Hi all,

I have the same issue with my Audi A3 1.8T (2010). It is now at the point where I need to put two pints of oil in every 450+- kms. Please advise on the process to initiate proceedings to get this resolved?

Thanks!
 
paddy_za said:
Hi all,

I have the same issue with my Audi A3 1.8T (2010). It is now at the point where I need to put two pints of oil in every 450+- kms. Please advise on the process to initiate proceedings to get this resolved?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Well you need to get in touch with them and take it from there.

Your success in getting them to come to the party will be dependent on a lot of factors. Do you care to elaborate as to your vehicle's history?
 
wizzard2 said:
I have the exact same issue, had a thread here https://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showth...L-CONSUMPTION!?highlight=audi+oil+consumption before I came across this one. Glad you eventually got our issues resolved.

Do you have any contact details for me for Audi SA, I may want to contact them.

I took my car for the oil consumption test as I had to throw in 3 pints approx every 1200km.
Audi said they can't do the oil consumption test because they weren't able to do a software update due to the computers complaining about an oil separator something. Going to cost me R5000 before I can even get to the test. 2011 A4 2.0l TFSI only 48k on the clock and I only have the car about 5-6 months :crying:

Seeing as you went through the process before any guidance will be much appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...

My TT with the same engine also started consuming 1L per 700km. After taking it to a mechanic recommended on the Audi forums the consumption issue seems to be fixed. Given the time and effort of a legal challenge vs a major service on your car that fixes the issues I chose the latter. Its important to get it sorted sooner rather than later before the carbon build up in the piston damages the engine

http://www.audiclubsouthafrica.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1536&p=12008#p12008
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X