It all started about 3 months ago with a misfire. Replaced Coils and Plugs which wasn't a huge job. Car running good again with 182k miles on it. On the way home from work about a week or two later I feel a clunk in the engine, I get a CEL and the car is running in limp mode. I take it over to my local auto shop and he asks me about the timing belt and that the sound may be coming from there. Not totally sure but the fact that I have NEVER had my timing belt done it was the first thing he said to check. I took it to an Auto shop who specializes in European cars. I tell him to Replace Timing belt, water pump, all the usual things that you would do. In the end it's about 1100 including the oil change and new filter housing. (apparently it just Fell apart it was so brittle) but whatever. I also asked him him to diagnose any issues since the car went into limp mode. After I pick it up I asked him what the issue was. He asked his mechanic who said nothing, and that the turbo just needed to build up pressure. I looked at him wondering WTF he was talking about. It's not an air compressor!!! It doesn't need time, at that point I thought to myself well if these guys think the car is running great then they don't know shit.
I'm not a skilled mechanic but know when something isn't running right. I decided to find another mechanic and did, someone who specializes in VW/Audi. After dropping the car off, I got a call saying the turbo had caused the code and it needed to be replaced since there was quite a bit of play in it. I assumed that was causing the noise and gave him the go ahead to replace. $2300 when all said and done, He also did the rear brakes and an oil change. The biggest problem was when I wen to pick it up he said well I have some bad news, The HPFP failed and wore on the camshaft, probably won't last much longer (pictures of HPFP to come, with many other photos) So I decided to drive it home that day because when all said and done I have kids to feed. Drove the car for a week, decided to do the HPFP myself and to change cam follower every 2 weeks till I could pay for the Camshaft replacement ($1200 with labor, that included replacing camshaft and HPFP) Got the new HPFP in and car ran much better, the broken HPFP that i was running was operating at 1/3 of the normal output.
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[/IMG]After doing a ton of reading and research last weekend I decided to do a pan drop to start self diagnosing the car. Wasn't a terrible job, just need to make sure you have the right tools and patients not to strip any bolts. WD-40 is your friend. After removing the pan I noticed metal chunks in the oil. As I start inspecting the bottom end and finally find my problem, Rotating Balance shaft was worn the housing and since it's spinning x2 engine rpm that thing is vibrating like crazy, it was also the reason I was getting a low oil light at low RPM's. Crazy thing is I drive 92 miles a day to and from work. I've been browsing the forums since saturday and have come across something that I am considering, at this point I'll be doing all the work on my car, (looking for a prius or corolla to get to work). I was thinking about disabling the Rotating shaft and leaving the oil pump intact, I've seen there's a conversion kit that removes the assembly completely but you have to drill into the head and it's a bit job. I've read a few people doing this and wonder myself if it will work.
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[/IMG]I want to rebuild it myself, I work on a computer and there's just something about building a car. I use to build dirtbikes and Harleys with my dad when i was younger, I've rebuilt bikes on my own and after working on my car I feel more confident doing the stuff myself.
Where to start-
1. Deal with Rotating Shaft Assembly (first priority and want to run car once I've done the mod)
2. Replace HPFP with Stud Kit (recently picked up this)
3. Replace Intake Camshaft-Chain-Tensioner and Gasket (was going to purchase valve cover kit)
3b. Lifters Balancers, Bearings, Port and Polish *have a bit of carbon build up on intake side
4. Air Intake, still not sure on which one to go with
5. Down Pipe Stage 1
6. Wheels Tires
7. Replace front left low beam bulb
If I'm doing the camshaft should I be looking into replacing most of the parts in the top end? Lifters, Springs, camshaft (must) and should I go with an upgraded camshaft?
http://kmdtuning.com/audi/a3/2-0t-fs...tml?catId=1564
Or is going with the revision J VW camshaft a better choice?
(And yes I regret neglecting her, if she were my wife she'd be divorcing me right about now
)
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Originally Posted by jv_audi06
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