A rants and 2 questions...well make that 3.

[jj3600]

Car is out of warranty and this is the first time I am working on the car myself.

First and foremost let me just say WTF is this over engineering about with Audi?? This engine cover is a joke. Especially with that air filter compartment. What is wrong with having a separate air box!!!! Anyways let me get to my questions before I decide to take a circular saw to that damn cover.

With the cover off I proceeded to change the spark plugs. Started from the left I pull the first plug. Crap its all full of motor oil. Spend about 20 minutes cleaning it out. Thinking ok maybe I was not careful when I topped off my oil and proceeded. Surprise every single coil was fill with motor oil....... . I clean out everything and have the plugs installed and everything is running just fine. Now this would explain the recent increase of oil consumption but what is the problem?? A bad gasket? Anyone care to chime in?

Now rewind the time 5 months back. I had some issue with my clutch and they had to replace a pump (sorry sketchy on the details) and bleed the system. After the replacement the clutch feel a little odd but I just assume there was a new part and needs to be broken in. Fast forward to today and guess what I notice before removing the engine cover. The brake reservoir cap is dangling on the side. Its crazy especially considering I transport my 2 kids in the car everyday. I believe I should have a shop bleed the system and put in fresh fluid. Is that the proper thing to do? Anything else that needs to be done?

Now to the third question. How can you get rid of that engine cover? I know that neuspeed has a CAI that removes the engine cover but 300 bucks are just not in the cards right now. Any alternatives?

Thank you

[rebelxtnut]

Filter on a stick. I have some ebay generic one. Literally a clone of the neuspeed intake. It was 100 bucks from some guy here in vortex.

[TBomb]

Car is out of warranty and this is the first time I am working on the car myself.

First and foremost let me just say WTF is this over engineering about with Audi?? This engine cover is a joke. Especially with that air filter compartment. What is wrong with having a separate air box!!!! Anyways let me get to my questions before I decide to take a circular saw to that damn cover.

With the cover off I proceeded to change the spark plugs. Started from the left I pull the first plug. Crap its all full of motor oil. Spend about 20 minutes cleaning it out. Thinking ok maybe I was not careful when I topped off my oil and proceeded. Surprise every single coil was fill with motor oil....... . I clean out everything and have the plugs installed and everything is running just fine. Now this would explain the recent increase of oil consumption but what is the problem?? A bad gasket? Anyone care to chime in?

Now rewind the time 5 months back. I had some issue with my clutch and they had to replace a pump (sorry sketchy on the details) and bleed the system. After the replacement the clutch feel a little odd but I just assume there was a new part and needs to be broken in. Fast forward to today and guess what I notice before removing the engine cover. The brake reservoir cap is dangling on the side. Its crazy especially considering I transport my 2 kids in the car everyday. I believe I should have a shop bleed the system and put in fresh fluid. Is that the proper thing to do? Anything else that needs to be done?

Now to the third question. How can you get rid of that engine cover? I know that neuspeed has a CAI that removes the engine cover but 300 bucks are just not in the cards right now. Any alternatives?

Thank you

Not 100% sure about the oil in the coilpack/spark plug issue. Could be a bad PCV (it can cause oil to be pushed out of the filler cap under boost) or a bad valve cover gasket.

The stock air box does suck from a maintenance standpoint. Almost all of the "filter on a stick" style intakes will make your life a lot easier. Check the classifieds (both the A3 and the MKV Golf/Jetta) as there are intakes that pop up fairly often.

If the brake fluid reservoir was open to the air, then yeah, I would definitely have the system flushed with new fluid and then bled. DOT 3/4/5.1 fluid is hygroscopic and designed to absorb any moisture in the brake system to prevent it from corroding any mechanical parts. A side effect of that is a lowered boiling point and thus lowered performance.

[MisterJJ]

I put chamfers on the posts for the airbox. Pops off easily now... well... somewhat easily.

[lausch]

Could be a bad PCV (it can cause oil to be pushed out of the filler cap under boost).

What TBomb said. There was a PCV recall on certain years, correct? jj3600, what year is your A3?

Regarding the air box, I haven't had to remove mine yet (only had the car two weeks) but I will be replacing the air filter, coils and plugs next week. OOOO-A3 has a great How To and diagram for removing the engine cover. It's been posted elsewhere, but no reason we can't add it to this thread too: http://oooo-a3.blogspot.com/2008/01/...ck-airbox.html



Brian

[jj3600]

I have a 07 but have not receive any notice from Audi about a recall.

Yes the diagram and instruction is great the only failure was on my part. Look at the diagram and started working and didn't read the warning about warming up the car to soften up the grommet

Definitely need to learn RTFM......

[jj3600]

Have the car in the shop today. Just as TBomb said it was a faulty PCV and it allow turbo boost to pressureize the valve cover. So I will need a new PCV and valve cover gasket.

Thanks guys!

[TBomb]

Have the car in the shop today. Just as TBomb said it was a faulty PCV and it allow turbo boost to pressureize the valve cover. So I will need a new PCV and valve cover gasket.

Thanks guys!

How many miles on the car? The PCV was covered by a warranty extension, I believe. Out to around 100,000 miles maybe?

[vwlippy]

If the brake fluid reservoir was open to the air, then yeah, I would definitely have the system flushed with new fluid and then bled. DOT 3/4/5.1 fluid is hygroscopic and designed to absorb any moisture in the brake system to prevent it from corroding any mechanical parts. A side effect of that is a lowered boiling point and thus lowered performance.

x2

[A3Performance]

Filter on a stick. I have some ebay generic one. Literally a clone of the neuspeed intake. It was 100 bucks from some guy here in vortex.

Those generic filter on a stick are a no no, buy a more reputable intake.. trust me it's not the same. Regarding the oil in the coil packs, you may need a new valve cover gasket and I would follow up on your PCV system.

[jj3600]

Anyone have any info on the Pcv warranty? I am at 55k and this cost me 300 bucks. I would love too very that reimbursed

[TBomb]

Anyone have any info on the Pcv warranty? I am at 55k and this cost me 300 bucks. I would love too very that reimbursed

You should have gotten a letter in the mail from Audi of America. If they don't have your address, you might not have gotten it. I would call AoA up and give them your VIN and see if your car is covered by the warranty extension for the PCV, intake manifold flap motor, low pressure fuel sensor, high pressure fuel pump cam follower, etc. Give them your address and ask them to re-send any warranty extension letters to you because you did not receive them. There should be a form included with the letter to seek reimbursement from Audi for any repairs related to the warranty extensions that you had to pay for out of pocket. Although, my dealer was really good about the intake manifold flap motor replacement...they did it for no charge to me, and were able to look up and see that my car was covered without me having to show them any proof. I am not sure if there are some cars that are not covered by the extension, but call Audi and find out what's up.

[jj3600]

Will be calling them first thing in the morning

Will let you knows how it goes

[jj3600]

Tbomb

I know there is a Cam follower warranty extension also. I had my follower pulled and replaced. Do you know if Audi cover the replacement also? The shop said I was one of the lucky one where there was no other damage.

[TBomb]

Tbomb

I know there is a Cam follower warranty extension also. I had my follower pulled and replaced. Do you know if Audi cover the replacement also? The shop said I was one of the lucky one where there was no other damage.

What shop? Dealer or independent? Yes, Audi should cover the replacement of the follower, any related parts, and labor assuming you have the receipts and everything. It's hard to believe there wasn't any further damage. More than likely, if you had taken your car to an Audi dealer with a completely punched through follower they would have replaced your HPFP and cam along with the follower.

[jj3600]

I took it to a Indy shop specializing Audi and VW. I didn't have CEL our anything just though it be good to have it pull and inspected. I am going to be talking to AOA today. If I can get the reimbursement then I can afford some toys for the car

What shop? Dealer or independent? Yes, Audi should cover the replacement of the follower, any related parts, and labor assuming you have the receipts and everything. It's hard to believe there wasn't any further damage. More than likely, if you had taken your car to an Audi dealer with a completely punched through follower they would have replaced your HPFP and cam along with the follower.

[TBomb]

I took it to a Indy shop specializing Audi and VW. I didn't have CEL our anything just though it be good to have it pull and inspected. I am going to be talking to AOA today. If I can get the reimbursement then I can afford some toys for the car

You take it to an indy shop for the PCV issue as well? There are certain things where it might be worth your while to take it to an indy shop over the dealer, but for things like the HPFP follower/camshaft, etc. I would at least take it to the dealer first and see if they'll take care of you under warranty. I guess it depends on your dealer, but I have had really good experiences with mine and their prices are fair

[jj3600]

You are right should have taken the car to the dealer for the cam follower. I have 2 dealers close to me and they are both crooks. I guess for the next follower replacement I will take it to them...

Just really hate dealers....