Can Chain broke!

[scottns]

2006 with about 85k on it. I was driving home the other night. Car started fine. Running normal. Then all of a sudden my dash lights all light up... EPC, battery light... Loose all power. I pull over. Car is dead. Wait for AAA to flat bed it to my mechanic. I just spoke to him and he said the cam chain broke! WTF. Has this happen to anyone else? I'm looking at a minimum of $1000+ for repairs. He said the whole head might need to be replaced. I was hoping to keep the car for another 5 years but after this I'm ready to get rid of it.... :(

[p0isin]

Ouch that sucks. There are a few threads on the cam chain. Look at the first few pages or search the forums and you'll get some good information on how to deal with it. Best of luck moving forward.

[slimmj0k3r]

tensioner failed perhaps? Depending on what the damage is you don't necessarily need to replace the head.... Could just be some bent valves.

[DRAKLORE]

I know that flexcj5 saw a cam chain failure and it simply needed a new chain and to be timed. (no bent valves)

best of luck, sorry to hear about this.

[scottns]

Thanks... So I thought of this after and should have asked my mechanic while I had him on the phone... This engine has a timing belt and chains? I had the belt replaced about 10k ago. The cams are driven at the back with a chain?

[drumnjuny]

good sir... i hath felt thy pain... in spades

[LoKisSpYdR]

Thanks... So I thought of this after and should have asked my mechanic while I had him on the phone... This engine has a timing belt and chains? I had the belt replaced about 10k ago. The cams are driven at the back with a chain?

Exactly. The belt drives the front cam gear which in turn drives the other from the aft end cam sprocket.

[Flexcj5]

Make sure this shop knows what they're doing. I have a motor that had a chain failure and the dealer insisted it was scrap. Guy replaced the whole motor. Once I got into it, the only damage was the chain and chain housing. Motor and head were just fine.

If the chain popped but belt still held properly, one cam was allowed to free spool or just stopped. If you're lucky, nothing impacted the pistons so the valves would be ok. A borescope will tell you for sure.

[Hijack Perkins]

I just got an est. to do this repair and they quoted me 900-1100 bucks, I guess thats cheaper than R&R a head with bent valves.

[scottns]

Make sure this shop knows what they're doing. I have a motor that had a chain failure and the dealer insisted it was scrap. Guy replaced the whole motor. Once I got into it, the only damage was the chain and chain housing. Motor and head were just fine.

If the chain popped but belt still held properly, one cam was allowed to free spool or just stopped. If you're lucky, nothing impacted the pistons so the valves would be ok. A borescope will tell you for sure.

Not worried. I trust these guys. They have been around for about 30 years and specialize in European cars. I've see lots of high end cars there when I've been.

I did not hear any big crash or clunks. It just lost all power and I coasted to the side of the road. I wasn't doing more that 30-40 mph so hoping just a new chain is all that needed.

[scottns]

So I need a new head. The cam is broken... My mechanic didn't even get into the valves but suspects those are shot too. He is having a hard time finding someone to sell him a complete head ready to bolt on with all the cam chain bits in the back, etc. Any suggestions?

[Firefox250]

I know Shokan.com had one but it needs to go to a machine shop before you install it.

[mec]

Not worried. I trust these guys. They have been around for about 30 years and specialize in European cars. I've see lots of high end cars there when I've been.

I did not hear any big crash or clunks. It just lost all power and I coasted to the side of the road. I wasn't doing more that 30-40 mph so hoping just a new chain is all that needed.

Are your cams good? I have spare valves, throw $150 my way and I will install good valves into your head, install and time the cams, install the chain, and give you a head that you can just bolt on.

[Charles.waite]

So I need a new head. The cam is broken... My mechanic didn't even get into the valves but suspects those are shot too. He is having a hard time finding someone to sell him a complete head ready to bolt on with all the cam chain bits in the back, etc. Any suggestions?

The cam is broken? How?

[mec]

So I need a new head. The cam is broken... My mechanic didn't even get into the valves but suspects those are shot too. He is having a hard time finding someone to sell him a complete head ready to bolt on with all the cam chain bits in the back, etc. Any suggestions?

Basically you would have to buy a new head entirely. that is very expensive.

I've got some valves you can reuse, they are all in perfect condition, they have the usual carbon buildup but if you really wanted to, I could get them jet cleaned. new intake cam is roughly $200, cam chain is roughly $50 IIRC, other than that, you need new seals, sealant for the head, new cam follower, possibly a new hpfp, new cradle bolts, and that's it. But it is still roughly a $1000 unless you find some used parts, add on labor to rebuild the head and you are close to $1,500. and then of course the labor to install the head, I believe 7 hours for removal and reinstall is book time. So $2,200 assuming you get all new parts and pay some shop to rebuild it at a very expensive rate.

Otherwise I can help you source some used parts and do the labor for much cheaper. Send me a PM if you are interested.

[ijbroussard]

So I need a new head. The cam is broken... My mechanic didn't even get into the valves but suspects those are shot too. He is having a hard time finding someone to sell him a complete head ready to bolt on with all the cam chain bits in the back, etc. Any suggestions?

He shouldn't, when my cam follower failed the mechanic placed a call to Audi and they informed him that pre-assembled heads are kept in stock due to the high failure rates. Not cheap, but they are readily available.

[scottns]

He shouldn't, when my cam follower failed the mechanic placed a call to Audi and they informed him that pre-assembled heads are kept in stock due to the high failure rates. Not cheap, but they are readily available.

He's trying not to kill me on the bill which is why he didn't want to get a head from Audi. I can get a whole engine with 50k on it for $3000. Don't really want to do that either though. 3k for the engine. 2k for labor. I have 5k in a car worth 8k trade-in... Not making sense. Anyone want to buy a car :)

[scottns]

I know Shokan.com had one but it needs to go to a machine shop before you install it.

Got a call into them. thanks.

[vce1232000]

2007
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A4 4 Cyl A 4739 $Call J.C. Recycling, Inc. USA-CT(Meriden) E-mail 1-888-247-1199 89
2007
Head(Cylinder)
Volkswagen Passat 2.0L,SAME DAY SHIPPING A 1886 $Call Indoor Auto Parts USA-NY(Utica) Request_Quote 315-507-5440 Request_Insurance_Quote 177
2007
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A4 2.0L,2 BENT VALVES 4479 $350 Inside Auto Parts, Inc. VARA USA-VA(Mineral) Request_Quote 1-800-469-4602 Request_Insurance_Quote
276
2005
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A4 CORE GOOD FOR PARTS $Call Best Foreign Auto Salvage USA-PA(Aliquippa) E-mail 1-800-370-6002 327
2007
Head(Cylinder)
Volkswagen Eos B BAP $650 Butler Auto Parts - PRP-MA USA-NC(Forest-City) Request_Quote 1-800-835-4645 ext 200 Request_Insurance_Quote
566
2007
Head(Cylinder)
Volkswagen Golf PULL AND CHECK B BAP $650 Butler Auto Parts - PRP-MA USA-NC(Forest-City) Request_Quote 1-800-835-4645 ext 200 Request_Insurance_Quote
566
2005
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A4 2.0L 99% RESTOCKING FEE A 315005 $Call Waterloo Auto Parts, Inc. - QRP Central USA-IA(Waterloo) Request_Quote 1-800-728-5207 Request_Insurance_Quote
947
2006
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A3 ENGINE FIRE, REBUILDABLE ONLY A 9017 $650 Kelly's Auto Parts - ARAPro USA-MN(Faribault) Request_Quote 1-877-349-4947 Request_Insurance_Quote
1007
2006
Head(Cylinder)
Volkswagen Golf GTI ASSY,FOR PARTS ONLY,BAD CAMS/CAPS A M0700 $350 Pam's Auto - ARAPro USA-MN(St-Cloud) Request_Quote 1-800-560-7336 Request_Insurance_Quote
1067
2006
Head(Cylinder)
Volkswagen Passat ASSY,CORE,CAMS SCORED 5293Y $200 Dixie Auto Salvage USA-UT(Washington) Request_Quote 1-800-967-8894 Request_Insurance_Quote 2115
2007
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A4 2.0L BURN STK-RKS $800 California Sports Auto Wrecking USA-CA(Chula-Vista) Request_Quote 619-656-7878 Request_Insurance_QuoteGo

Try these good luck

[scottns]

2007
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A4 4 Cyl A 4739 $Call J.C. Recycling, Inc. USA-CT(Meriden) E-mail 1-888-247-1199 89
2007
Head(Cylinder)
Volkswagen Passat 2.0L,SAME DAY SHIPPING A 1886 $Call Indoor Auto Parts USA-NY(Utica) Request_Quote 315-507-5440 Request_Insurance_Quote 177
2007
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A4 2.0L,2 BENT VALVES 4479 $350 Inside Auto Parts, Inc. VARA USA-VA(Mineral) Request_Quote 1-800-469-4602 Request_Insurance_Quote
276
2005
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A4 CORE GOOD FOR PARTS $Call Best Foreign Auto Salvage USA-PA(Aliquippa) E-mail 1-800-370-6002 327
2007
Head(Cylinder)
Volkswagen Eos B BAP $650 Butler Auto Parts - PRP-MA USA-NC(Forest-City) Request_Quote 1-800-835-4645 ext 200 Request_Insurance_Quote
566
2007
Head(Cylinder)
Volkswagen Golf PULL AND CHECK B BAP $650 Butler Auto Parts - PRP-MA USA-NC(Forest-City) Request_Quote 1-800-835-4645 ext 200 Request_Insurance_Quote
566
2005
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A4 2.0L 99% RESTOCKING FEE A 315005 $Call Waterloo Auto Parts, Inc. - QRP Central USA-IA(Waterloo) Request_Quote 1-800-728-5207 Request_Insurance_Quote
947
2006
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A3 ENGINE FIRE, REBUILDABLE ONLY A 9017 $650 Kelly's Auto Parts - ARAPro USA-MN(Faribault) Request_Quote 1-877-349-4947 Request_Insurance_Quote
1007
2006
Head(Cylinder)
Volkswagen Golf GTI ASSY,FOR PARTS ONLY,BAD CAMS/CAPS A M0700 $350 Pam's Auto - ARAPro USA-MN(St-Cloud) Request_Quote 1-800-560-7336 Request_Insurance_Quote
1067
2006
Head(Cylinder)
Volkswagen Passat ASSY,CORE,CAMS SCORED 5293Y $200 Dixie Auto Salvage USA-UT(Washington) Request_Quote 1-800-967-8894 Request_Insurance_Quote 2115
2007
Head(Cylinder)
Audi A4 2.0L BURN STK-RKS $800 California Sports Auto Wrecking USA-CA(Chula-Vista) Request_Quote 619-656-7878 Request_Insurance_QuoteGo

Try these good luck

Wow.. thank you!

[scottns]

Good news. Turns out the failure is from the cam follower failing. The fuel pump end got ground up and caused everything to break.... I just called my local Audi dealer and they said it should be covered so I just need to have the car moved over there. I had the follower replaced at about 42k and I have about 85k now so it didn't last very long. Amazing... The car ran 100% fine until it failed.

[schirm]

Good news. Turns out the failure is from the cam follower failing. The fuel pump end got ground up and caused everything to break.... I just called my local Audi dealer and they said it should be covered so I just need to have the car moved over there. I had the follower replaced at about 42k and I have about 85k now so it didn't last very long. Amazing... The car ran 100% fine until it failed.

My cam Follower failed 2 times by the time I hit 120k. Second time was 15k after I replaced it the first time.

[scottns]

My cam Follower failed 2 times by the time I hit 120k. Second time was 15k after I replaced it the first time.

Man... That's unreal. I hope to get at least another 4 years out of this. My wife's new car will be paid off and I can unload this damn thing.

[scottns]

Well this was quite the failure. I saw the parts today. The chain sprocket on one cam is broken off. The chain is broken. The follower is totally hollow. The end of the fuel pump is worn down to a nub. It's so worn that the spring behind it just fell out. Car is at the dealer now so it should be taken care of. When I get it back I'm just going to check it ever 10k from now on.

[scottns]

Dealer just called. All fixed and they covered it all. New cams, pump, follower, chain, etc. Valves were fine so the head is the same. Glad to be done with this.

[Jhad]

glad to hear that.

[B72011]

This is a poorly engineered part and prone to failure.....luckily its covered.
Give your car another chance...as you know they're sick cars.
Learn how to check it once a year----easy DIY's all over the place.

Man... That's unreal. I hope to get at least another 4 years out of this. My wife's new car will be paid off and I can unload this damn thing.

[scottns]

I agree I should have been more pro active inspecting the follower. I had it replaced at about 45k. I thought by that logic I would go another 45k but that obviously didn't work out. I am keeping the car for now and plan to inspect the follower every 10k. In 4 more years the car will be over 10 years old so I'll want to get something newer at that point anyways. I do like the car, but after something like this happens you just get a bad taste in your mouth. You should not have to worry about catastrophic engine failures in a car at 84k, especially a higher end car like Audi. Maybe I'm expecting too much... Do the B8 have this issue at all or was the engine redesigned on those cars for the new platform?

[Prodeje79]

Dealer just called. All fixed and they covered it all. New cams, pump, follower, chain, etc. Valves were fine so the head is the same. Glad to be done with this.

I think I have the same issue. Glad to see yours was covered. Did you need to do any leg work or show documentation? Any other tips?

I have my own thread.....
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ler-last-night

[CHOLOKID]

I had a broken camshaft broke on my b7 with 83k on it I had 2 bent valves intakr side. So I had do.to my whole head. So I know that feeling :/

[Charles.waite]

My 2008's cam follower grenaded and destroyed my HPFP and Intake Cam at a mere 50k miles. Fun times.

[diond]

My 2008's cam follower grenaded and destroyed my HPFP and Intake Cam at a mere 50k miles. Fun times.

same thing for me at 80k.

[CHOLOKID]

My 2008's cam follower grenaded and destroyed my HPFP and Intake Cam at a mere 50k miles. Fun times.

So your intake cam broke too?.

[Charles.waite]

So your intake cam broke too?.

Well the HPFP lobe was trashed. The cam is in fine shape aside from that.

[CWJC]

Im sorry for your misfortune this happened to me after owning my car for 30 hrs...bought it halloween night 2013...went the following evening.
Hope your luck was better then mine..needed to send head out to machine shop replace almost everything head wise. Did my timing belt, water pump, thermostat, all fluids flushed and changed...new cam, FP and follower etc...etc.
Cost of all parts and labour and car gone for 2 1/2 weeks = EMPTY WALLET

I love my car now tho...its basically new