Just bought a 2005 A6, 4.2L V8, Quattro. What should I know??

[Markie93]

Hey guys,

As said in the title, I just bought a 2005 Audi A6. Its all wheel drive, has 93,000 miles on the 4.2L V8.

My previous car was an 06 A4, 2.0T quattro.

Just wondering if anyone has any positive/negative reviews, maintenance I should do first (Timing belt, spark plugs, coil packs), common problems, mods, vag com tips, or anything else I should know about this car.









Thanks,
Jake

[v8a6]

Nice car! Looks very clean

[gregory.fazekas]

the 4.2 engine has some known timing chain issues, at least with the s4 engine. Im not sure if its the same with the a6 4.2. If you don't hear any chain rattle, assume its good. Plugs are prob due to be replaced, as well as the cabin filters and air filters. Mod wise, exhaust is the best place to start. However, people have reported great gains with gutting the pre cats and leaving the main cats in the down pipes. Don't waste your money with a tune before getting an exhaust, and if you are going to go with a tune, go JHM. I would also recommend putting the JHM intake spacers, I did this mod on my buddies s4, and picked up a few mpg. Other then that, check all the fluids, do an oil change every 3000 miles, especially with this car, and drive it.

[Matt C]

Not sure if the A6 is plagued by the timing chain woes of the 4.2 S4 (B6/B7) - but if you hear that rattle on start-up, you should take a look into it. The tensioners break from heat and stress and will ultimately lead to massive engine failure. On the S4's it is around the 100K mark...

Nice looking car.

[FormulaElement]

The 05-06 a6's are plagued with the tensioner problems as well...

[Markie93]

v8a6: Thank you! I bought it from a dealership and they had it all detailed and everything.

Everyone else: Thank for the great input. I will have to look into these things. I plan to do a timing belt change, water pump, thermostat, tensioners and any other hardware either this winter or next summer.
I checked the spark plugs, and the coil packs. Looks like they have been recently changed by someone else. Highest revision Bosch Audi spark plugs and current revision "T" on the coil packs. I did a diagnostics scan with my vag com and it said there was a misfire in cylinder 5 and 7. I heard these build up alot of carbon and wondering what steps I should take to taking better care of this.

From the 4 comments I had, 3 were recommending to look at the tensioners, so I may be doing that soon. I'll probably wait on any mods until this summer.

So this thing has "I think" a 2g MMI plus (red screen by tach and speedometer). Anyone know of a way to update it? I also have a NAV button, but when it's pressed, it says, "NAV NOT INSTALLED". Would be interested in knowing what it would take to get the navigation going. CD changer and nav cd? cables?

Thanks again for your help guys.
Jake

[Markie93]

If I took a video of the start up would you guys be willing to tell me what you hear, if anything? I am not really sure what it is supposed to sound like.

[Markie93]

Hereis a video of my engine strting up:

[Kevin1]

Take a look at what happened with my 05 4.2 at higher miles. This should give you an idea of what to look for.


Miles Service

884 Miles Warranty
1) MMI hardware replaced

5,283 Miles Warranty
1) 5,000 mile service

10,152 Miles $126.53
1) Oil Change

14,775 Miles Warranty
1) 15,000 mile service
2) tighten front passenger seat
3) tighten air vent outlets
4) update airbag software
5) tighten dashboard
6) update MMI software

20,059 Miles $112.74
1) Oil Change
2) tighten dashboard

20,685 Miles Warranty
1) Replaced pollen filter door
2) Replace tire pressure sensor
3) Replace Mmi control knob

24,727 Miles Warranty
1) 25,000 mile service
2) tighten dashboard
3) replace windshield wiper blades

28,506 Miles $204.97
1) Brake fluid flush
2) Repair front passenger seat frame
3) Replace license plate light bulb
4) Update MMI software
5) Repair ski sack
6) oil change

28,620 Miles Warranty
1) Replace all 8 coil packs
2) Replace throttle control valve

29,806 Miles Warranty
1) replace fuel door cover
2) update airbag software

32,254 Miles Warranty
1) Replace front brake pads
2) clean HVAC drains
3) replace pollen filter

33,926 Miles Warranty
1) Replace rear brake pads
2) Replace fuel filter
3) Lube steering column
4) Tighten dashboard
5) 35,000 mile service

36,129 Miles Warranty
1) Update fuel gauge software
2) Replaced power steering hose clamp

36,739 Miles Warranty
1) Replace interior light in driver's footwell

37,715 Miles Warranty
1) Update airbag software

40,759 Miles Combination Warranty/$341.74
1) Transmission fluid flush
2) Replace fluids in differentials
3) oil change

44,754 Miles Warranty
1) Replace steering column
2) convert front brake pads
3) 45,000 mile service

49,419 Miles Warranty
1) Replace head cover gasket
2) Oil Change

50,283 Miles Warranty
1) Replaced rear sunshade motor

54,659 Miles combination warranty/$891.32
1) coolant system flush
2) replace coolant temperature sensor
3) replace fog lamp
4) replace trunk latch
5) 55,000 mile service

56,440 Miles combination warranty/$110.29
1) update ECU module
2) replace tire air pressure sensors
3) replace windshield wipers

60,168 Miles combination warranty/$241.49
1) oil change
2) brake fluid flush
3) replace rear seat air bag ignitor

61,040 Miles $1,186.67
1) replace front brake pads and rotors
2) replace rear brake pads and rotors

65,209 Miles combination warranty/$323.54
1) 65,000 mile service
2) replace coolant temperature sensor
3) replace parktronic speaker

65,635 Miles $435.50
1) replace thermostat

66,553 Miles $168.85
1) Replace light bar in front passenger door

66,848 Miles $268.20
1) Replace wood trim on driver's front door

69,020 Miles $123.55
1) Oil change

70,741 Miles $287.34
1) Replace rear right tail light assembly
2) Clear air bag codes

75,099 Miles $761.88
1) 75,000 mile service

75,762 Miles Warranty
1) replace center rear seat air bag sensor
2) replace rear seat bracket

80,187 Miles $1,223.61
1) oil change
2) flush transmission fluid
3) replace brake fluid

85,450 Miles $320.44
1) 85,000 mile service
2) update airbag software

87,879 Miles Warranty
1) replace rear seat air bag sensor connector
2) readapt tilt wheel steering column

90,746 Miles $826.97
1) oil change
2) replace oil pressure sensor
3) re-adapt steering column
4) replace rear brake pads and rotors

93,793 Miles combination warranty/$315.09
1) Replace steering column
2) replace front brake pads

95,964 Miles $720.33
1) 95,000 mile service
2) replace battery

100,600 Miles $1,529.52
1) oil change
2) replace all 8 coil packs
3) replace fuel filter
4) replace brake fluid
5) coolant flush
6) replace supplemental rear passenger air bag

103,924 Miles $1,191.74
1) 105,000 mile service
2) replace passenger tailight assembly
3) replace right side motor mount

110,515 Miles $2,277.12
1) oil change
2) replace all 4 upper and lower control arms and tie rod ends
3) replace both side sway bar links

115,704 Miles $861.73
1) 115,000 mile service
2) 4 wheel alignment
3) replaced left side license plate bulb
4) replaced passenger side running light

120,490 Miles $1,105.50
1) oil change
2) replace transmission fluid
3) replace differential fluids

124,683 Miles $2,303.08
1) 125,000 mile service
2) replaced front brake pads and rotors
3) replaced rear brake pads
4) replaced satellite radio module
5) replaced battery

127,496 Miles $552.87
1) replaced rear passenger window regulator
2) replace passenger sider amber light bulb

133,383 Miles $1,516.17
1) replace jet pump valve
2) replace engine temperature sensor
3) replace both radiator hoses
4) coolant flush
5) brake fluid flush
6) 135,000 mile service

133,600 Miles combination warranty?$502.96
1) replace right side combi valve
2) replace passenger side adaptive headlight assembly

133,714 Miles $225.52
1) fuel injection service

134,585 Miles $1,977.74
1) replace vacuum line under manifold
2) replace temperature sensor
3) replace driver side adaptive headlight assembly

135,880 Miles $493.54
1) replaced thermostat
2) bled coolant system
3) replaced rear passenger side seat latch

137,015 Miles $1,540.46
1) replace drivers air bag
2) replace wiper blades

138,250 Miles $849.93
1) replaced radiator

138,682 Miles $9,116
1) oil change
2) replace torque converter
3) replace timing chains
4) replace timing chain guides
5) replace timing chain tensioners

138,939 Miles Warranty
1) replace intake manifold
2) replace all coil packs
3) replace all fuel injectors
4) replace fuel distributor rail
5) replace front heated oxygen sensor
6) replace combi-valve

[Fastbird]

Everyone else: Thank for the great input. I will have to look into these things. I plan to do a timing belt change, water pump, thermostat, tensioners and any other hardware either this winter or next summer.

Not to rain on your parade, but just wanted to make sure you're aware that to do the timing chains on the 4.2, the motor has to come out. It's a very time consuming involved project. Not something that can be done by your average DIY'er. Now you may be able to do it by dropping the transmission instead, but either way, something's got to come out to get to the chains.

[Markie93]

Is it in the back of the engine?

[Markie93]

So is it a timing belt, or a timing chain? I've seen some people just take the front off and expose a timing belt and I've also heard and seen people talk about a timing chain in the rear. How do I know which I have? What a Bentley service manual be of any help?

[Storm33]

You have a timing chain. Your startup video sounds like there may be a bit of rattle in the tensioners, but it doesn't seem bad. My B6 S4 had about the same 1/2-second rattle on startup and didn't seem to get worse over the time that I owned it, so you may have some time before you need to worry about it.

There was another thread on here recently about upgrading 2G -> 3G; the verdict seemed to be live with 2G or buy a newer model with 3G. Apparently it's cheaper than upgrading the hardware in your 2G vehicle.

Nice looking A6, by the way - congrats!

[Markie93]

Thanks a ton! So I am guessing the tensioners, and chains are in the rear of the engine?

[Dutch_A6]

Correct, in their over-engineering wisdom Audi believes the parts are good for life and so put it in the most difficult place in case something actually does go wrong it will be a major service to fix.

[Markie93]

Are there any DIY for the tensioner/chain change? WOuld the Bentley Service Manual help with this?

Are there any recommendations as to what to change while its all out? I know of my A4 (back when just removing the entire front end was enough), I changed the Timing belt, tensioners, water pump, thermostat, and seals. Would I be changing all of the chains, looks like there are more than 1?

[FormulaElement]

Are there any DIY for the tensioner/chain change? WOuld the Bentley Service Manual help with this?

Are there any recommendations as to what to change while its all out? I know of my A4 (back when just removing the entire front end was enough), I changed the Timing belt, tensioners, water pump, thermostat, and seals. Would I be changing all of the chains, looks like there are more than 1?

I would get a bentley manual, check over in the S4 forums as well to see more engine specific things to check/do while your doing the timing chain guides and tensioners. I suggest going with JHM intermediate kit as the only thing its missing form the full are the chains themselves and the electrical adjusts. I haven't heard of either of those ever going bad in these cars though.. Heres a link, JHM Intermediate Kit

You should be good for a while, maybe even replace the oil check valves to hold you over longer. Im at 111k and haven't had any problems.

[Markie93]

Thank you so much

[Markie93]

Anything else guys? Thanks again for all your input!!

[FormulaElement]

I would tint your windows!

In all honesty you should be good if you trans fluid is fresh, the only thing besides the timing chain tensioners and adjusters is the AC pump.
It's good to change it before it fails because the fail safe doesn't like to break and it causes the system to shred itself when it fails and gets metal shavings all through your AC system... Theres just about no way to get them all out unless you change all of the lines.

[c@@kieMonsta]

Anything else guys? Thanks again for all your input!!

I would highly recommend replacing the fuel filter also. Its a $30 piece that takes 10 minutes to replace. It's another one of those things that is claimed to be a "lifetime" part but honestly should be replaced once a year or so.

[Markie93]

Hmm... I will definitely be inspecting the AC. Thanks for the info. I would like to tint the windows, but here in Michigan, we can't tint the front which kinda sucks.

The fuel filter would also be something easy to do I guess. I'll look into that as well.

Thanks guys!

[sun_dance]

Hmm... I will definitely be inspecting the AC. Thanks for the info. I would like to tint the windows, but here in Michigan, we can't tint the front which kinda sucks.

The fuel filter would also be something easy to do I guess. I'll look into that as well.

Thanks guys!

Here's the write-up for the fuel filter change on your 4.2. It's quite easy, especially with a lift ;)

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...=1#post9902420

[Markie93]

Sweet! Thanks Sun dance!

much appreciated

[Markie93]

Wow, actually a lot of good info on that thread. Please excuse my little known knowledge on this subject, but what exactly does the carbon cleaning entail? I'm sure mine has some carbon buildup. Ill do more reading but figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

[FormulaElement]

Wow, actually a lot of good info on that thread. Please excuse my little known knowledge on this subject, but what exactly does the carbon cleaning entail? I'm sure mine has some carbon buildup. Ill do more reading but figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Your car doesn't have carbon problems. Only the FSI (Direct Injection) Motors have carbon issues.

[Markie93]

I thought the 4.2L's were "Fuel stratified injection", are they not? I have had a small misfire in cylinder 5 and 7 (already has new splugs and coil packs) wondered in injectors were clogged...

[Markie93]

I am still new to all the terminology...

[c@@kieMonsta]

I thought the 4.2L's were "Fuel stratified injection", are they not? I have had a small misfire in cylinder 5 and 7 (already has new splugs and coil packs) wondered in injectors were clogged...

Your 4.2 is the 40V V8 carried over from the previous C5 generation. The "new" 4.2 32V with FSI didn't show up until '07 in our cars.

[Markie93]

Ohh... Interesting.