What Audi owners should keep an eye on: oil consumption, carbon buildup, timing chains, cooling leaks and Quattro fluids, plus what to ask an independent Audi shop.
Most Audis on Colorado roads are Quattro, and plenty of them are turbo 4-cylinders. Both are great for winter here. Both also come with a handful of things you'll want to stay on top of.
Turbo 2.0T engines
- Timing chain tensioner. Early 2.0T TSI engines (roughly 2008 to 2012) used a tensioner that can fail. It's the first thing we'd check on an older A4, A5, Q5 or A3. Our tensioner guide covers it.
- Oil consumption. Some 2009 to 2011ish 2.0T engines were known to burn oil because of the piston rings. Check the level between changes, every time you fill up if you're not sure.
- Carbon buildup. Direct injection means intake valves get coated over time. See carbon cleaning.
- PCV / crankcase vent valve. Small part, causes weird idles, whistles and oil consumption when it fails.
- Water pump and thermostat housings. Plastic, leaks pink coolant. Newer engines: see our Gen 3 water pump guide.
V6 and V8
The 3.0T supercharged V6 is pretty tough but has its own water pump and thermostat issues as it ages. The older 3.2 and 4.2 FSI engines get carbon too, and some 4.2s have timing chain guide work that's engine-out. Expensive. Ask about records before you buy one.
Fluids
Oil to the VW/Audi approval spec on the bottle. Brake fluid every two years. Quattro adds fluids at the transmission, rear differential and sometimes a transfer case or Haldex unit depending on the model. A lot of these get labeled lifetime. Lots of indie shops change them anyway.
What to ask an Audi indie
- Do you have VCDS, ODIS or similar to read Audi modules?
- Have you done this exact job on this engine before?
- Are you using genuine, OE or aftermarket parts, and why?