Timing Tensioner Problems of Audi S4

Audi has used a timing chain in the 4. 2l v8 engine. Because timing chains are typically very reliable, the chain has been placed at the rear of the engine near the firewall. The problem is that the timing tensioners are made of plastic and prone to breakage. This can result in catastrophic engine failure.

See all problems of the 2007 Audi S4 🔎.

Audi claims that the timing chain on those vehicles are lifetime and does not need to be service. Unfortunate the timing change tensioners are made of plastic which the wear out at about 50k miles, causing a start up rattle and eventually engine explosion from the chain coming of the guides and destroying the entire engine and causing a massive accident at high speed. Hundreds of problems like this one are reported online from thousands of people even youtube videos. Not to mention that every time you bring your vehicle and complaint to Audi the claim that the rattle is normal; just to find out that that is the first clue of future engine failure.

See all problems of the 2004 Audi S4 🔎.

See the NHTSA odi complaints: 10267048, 10263937, 10262201, 10261864, 10261281, and 10294798. My second experience with the catastrophic engine failure of the "cam chain tensioner" components was in Nov of 2009 on the bank 1 cam. Fault code "set point not reached (over-retarded). " with misfires to all cylinders on bank 1 - less than one year from the same failure on bank 2 (see NHTSA odi complaint #10294798). There was approximately 70,000 miles on the odometer. As I mentioned before, although the S4 is a low volume car the 4. 2l engine is used in many of their products; and if this complaint venue any indication the engine appears to suffer a high percentage of expensive and dangerous failures. The cost to drop the engine and transmission in order to make the repair was another ~$4,500.

I have a 2004 Audi S4 that had catastrophic failure at only 40,000 miles due to defective parts. The car has a problem where a tensioner I am told allows the motor to rev up even when your foot is not on the gas pedal and it causes damage to the motor. This has happened to many owners, most were under warranty because this part fails at such a low mileage, in some cases under 100 miles. Not only does this cause un safe situations for the driver as the engine can have this rev up happen multiple times before the engine fails, it also causes repairs that are very very costly and not worth while. When I took my car to the dealership they also discovered that my transmission is needing to be completely replaced. This is also due to defective metals used in the syncros is what I am told. Audi has no desire to correct the problem even though they have admitted none of the problems are due to abuse but rather weak parts. Even though I am out of warranty that should not make a difference when they have had so many of the same exact cases repaired to date. My kbb value is 23,500 and the repair cost would be around $17,500.

See the NHTSA odi complaints: 10267048, 10263937, 10262201, 10261864, and 10261281 my first experience with the catastrophic engine failure of the "cam chain tensioner" components was in Dec of 2008 on the bank 2 cam. Fault code "set point not reached (over-retarded). " with misfires to all cylinders on bank 2 - all but rendering the vehicle unable to drive. There was approximately 54,000 miles on the odometer. Though out of warranty I contacted Audi to no avail. I am sorely disappointed in Audi for engineering such shoddy design, and not standing by their product. In fact criswell Audi charged $300 for an ecu update that did nothing. Although the S4 is a low volume car the 4. 2l engine is used in many of their products; and if this complaint venue any indication it appears to suffer a high percentage of expensive and dangerous failures. The cost to drop the engine and transmission in order to make the repair was ~$4,500.

I drive a 2004 Audi S4. My car suffered a major failure. The motor failed due to a design by Audi and that is unacceptable. The car failed due to these plastic guides that Audi uses as timing chain guides. The guides are never supposed to be serviced although when they fail you have to pay at least 4 thousand dollars to get them replaced because the motor needs to be pulled to replace them. They are on the back of the motor so there is no way to know when it is going to happen. When the timing chain tensioner or the guides fail it can and will result in a major motor failure. If the motor needs to be rebuilt it will cost at least $10,000. Luckily I had an extended warranty and it was covered, but I would still like to note that this is unacceptable and Audi should be doing something because this is not a failure that one would expect on a 4 year old car.

Catastrophic engine failure and seize at 70mph. Previous the failure, Audi replaced bent valves due to timing chain tensioner failure. Less than 300 miles from new heads being installed, the engine failed completely.