S4 Note Log
2001 Audi S4
Property of bkbethers.
Added Mar 25 2017
Showing all notes
Dec 10 2021
Replacing left and right, forward and rear upper arms (4 total). Ball joints and bushings were blown causing squeaking noise in front end and creating potential safety hazard. Had to do alignment as part of this as well. Also replaced a clamp on an inter cooler hose that had apparently come off when I scraped the bottom of the car at some point and was causing hesitation at low rpm’s. Lastly, I had noted the oil being 1.5 liters or more low after I saw smoke coming from under the hood after just driving home from church. I also had noticed a small oil leak on the driveway. he did some tests and determined the engine has blow up and thinks the oil rings are worn. To replace them would require rebuilding the engine, which would cost more than the car is worth. I should still be able to drive it, but will need to watch the oil level carefully and add as needed as it will likely burn oil. I could add a STOP LEAK additive, which could help a bit. He also said, this causes pressure in the engine that will create leaks in the weakest points and fixing them will just lead to other leaks elsewhere. The day after I got the car back and it had sat for 24 hours I checked the oil and was surprised to see that it appeared to be overfilled despite still being below the hash markings when I added 1.5L after I saw the smoke. So I’m not clear on what is going on with this.
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214,620
Added by bkbethers on Dec 11 2021 at 6:40 pm
Apr 7 2021
Took it in for crack in catalytic converter that Adan suggested I try to find somebody to weld. Alpine agreed on the recommendation and actually took it to somebody nearby that specializes in welding and had it done. Surprised they didn’t charge me more. Also asked them to look at airbag module. They said they don’t touch airbags and told me to take it to Utah airbag, but didn’t have a number for them and said just search it online. Only place I can find seems to have a non-working number.
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213,227
Added by bkbethers on Apr 7 2021 at 7:30 pm
Mar 13 2021
Purchased Evolution Thor heavy duty aluminum skid plate online from cascadegerman.com. Adan installed it for free when replacing the heater core.
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212,732
Added by bkbethers on Mar 13 2021 at 3:07 pm
Mar 12 2021
Was leaking coolant after Targhee trip. Adan determined the heater core was leaking. Removed dash and center console to replace heater core. Also replaced coolant expansion tank that was showing signs of expansion.
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212,732
Added by bkbethers on Mar 13 2021 at 3:03 pm
Jan 21 2021
Replacing oil level sender and oil pan after Amy bottomed out coming out of the Walmart parking lot, which damaged both sender and pan and resulted in a major oil leak (after only ~400 miles since the oil pan was replaced less than a month ago). Adan felt bad this happened so soon after replacing the oil pan and didn’t charge me any labor for the repair, only the cost of the parts.
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211,318
Added by bkbethers on Jan 23 2021 at 11:41 am
Dec 22 2020
New oil pan to replace one that was scrapped and leaking. New oil pan gasket and full synthetic oil change. He reduced labor charge by $100 after I questioned why this issue wasn’t addressed recently when cam seals and timing belt were replaced to address oil leak.
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210,912
Added by bkbethers on Dec 22 2020 at 11:33 am
Dec 2 2020
Front cam seals and front crankshaft seal to stop oil leak. Also did Timing Belt Kit and Water pump while it was torn apart. Discovered that the water pump had started leaking, which explains why my coolant level had dropped below the min line on overflow reservoir. Also replaced the driver side front axle & CV joint due to a torn CV boot. He said the driver side upper rear control arm and Upper ball joint are a little loose, but not bad enough to recommend replacing yet. Also found that the driver side catalytic converter has a crack in it, which is causing an O2 sensor fault code, which is apparently the only CEL code currently. He said I may be able to find a muffler shop that could weld the crack to seal it up, but that most would likely want to replace it. Finding a replacement cat could be difficult as the downpipes, cats, and exhaust are all aftermarket. Looking at my list of mods it apparently had AWE downpipes and cats and Milltek exhaust. Searching online it seems the AWE downpipes go from 3” to 2.5”, but would need to measure to be sure. Adan thought it may be 3” at the cat. AWE no longer makes them, but I was able to talk to somebody there who suggested I could find a 200 cell cat with the same diameter inlet and outlet that should work and should work with the software tune. Though he said I may want to confirm with the software tuner. Depending on the cost and labor to replace just one cat he suggested I may be better off replacing the downpipes and cats together and as a set and said billyboat at BBexhaust.com still sells a performance downpipe and cat set for my car for around $1,100. He said there is a potential risk that replacing just one cat could create a lop-sided effect if the used cat has buildup and doesn’t flow nearly as well as a new cat and the car may not run right as a result.
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210,750
Added by bkbethers on Dec 2 2020 at 7:40 pm
Nov 6 2020
Had two front tires blow out about 10 miles apart, both while on freeway. Used spare for first one and had to get towed after second one. Turns out they were at 2/32” despite only having 33K miles on them. Had a 50K warranty, but it was only good for 3 years. Continental Control Contact Sport SRS+ tires with 50K pro-rata warranty good for six years. Also paid for the free replacement certificates that is good down to 3/32”. I think the fine print says it’s only good for 3 years, but they told me it is good down to 3/32” and well beyond 3 years. Price is net of $70 instant rebate promo.
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210,622
Added by bkbethers on Nov 6 2020 at 10:37 am
Jul 23 2020
Replaced A/C O-ring set to fix refrigerant leak, flushed, and recharged. Also, did a subsequent repair to replace more deteriorated wiring for driver side air bag to make dash light go off again. Filled washer fluid reservoir, but couldn’t find leak though some had leaked out on my garage floor.
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209,783
Added by bkbethers on Jul 23 2020 at 6:08 pm
May 11 2020
Repaired Airbag wiring harness and replace washer fluid pump and nozzles. Oil leaking from cam seals and valve cover gaskets. Repair requires removing timing belt, etc... Recommend full timing belt kit replacement including water pump, camshaft seals, crankshaft seals, and valve cover gaskets.
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209,557
Added by bkbethers on May 12 2020 at 9:43 am
Feb 8 2020
Had to go to Murray location since car is too low for lifts and only Murray had a pit. Took 6.9 quarts, which incurred $16.04 surcharge for amount over 5 quarts. Also includes $5.59 in shop fees. Advertised price was $39.90 before fees and tax.
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209,161
Added by bkbethers on Feb 8 2020 at 3:58 pm
Feb 23 2019
Used Sea form, which caused the engine to sputter and die and set off a bunch of CEL codes. I then tried starting it again, which took a few attempts and it wouldn’t idle on its own. After the oil change, The white smoke from the sea foam still seemed to be present. Champion filter, Castrol edge high mileage advanced full synthetic 5W-30 oil. Took about 5 2/3 quarts of oil.
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201,807
Added by bkbethers on Feb 23 2019 at 7:07 pm
Feb 22 2019
Suspension - Replaced driver side front strut that was damaged and strut mounts on both sides in front. Didn’t replace passenger side strut because it only has ~15K miles and appears to be fine. Saved ~$50 by purchasing the strut from ECS tuning online. Also replaced tie rod ends that were worn and did alignment. Engine - based on CEL codes and smoke test replaced PCV valve, leak detection pump, downstream O2 sensor, and spark plugs and did fuel injection cleaning service. This was all to address issue of traction control cutting power when turning at highway speeds. Additionally found and replaced an ABS sensor that was previously installed improperly and was damaged.
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201,762
Added by bkbethers on Feb 23 2019 at 7:04 pm
Mar 28 2018
Tensioner failed causing belt to come off power steering, alternator, etc... and then the battery drained and I had to be towed to the shop.
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197,480
Added by bkbethers on Mar 30 2018 at 12:01 am
Mar 8 2018
Tire Rotation, Tire Pressure
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197,156
Added by bkbethers on Mar 8 2018 at 7:07 pm
Mar 6 2018
Clutch, Flywheel, and Slave Cylinder replacement after failure on way to Brighton with Parker & Hannah on President's day. Also replaced torn left inner CV boot
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197,045
Added by bkbethers on Mar 6 2018 at 9:43 pm
Nov 4 2017
Engine Oil, Oil Filter
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195,009
Added by bkbethers on Nov 17 2017 at 10:08 am
Nov 9 2016
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188,308
Added by bkbethers on Mar 25 2017 at 7:56 am
Oct 21 2016
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187,978
Added by bkbethers on Mar 25 2017 at 7:56 am
Oct 17 2016
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187,846
Added by bkbethers on Mar 25 2017 at 7:56 am
Oct 6 2016
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187,650
Added by bkbethers on Mar 25 2017 at 7:56 am
Sep 24 2016
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187,500
Added by bkbethers on Mar 25 2017 at 7:56 am
Apr 22 2016
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184,234
Added by bkbethers on Mar 25 2017 at 7:56 am
Feb 27 2016
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182,853
Added by bkbethers on Mar 25 2017 at 7:56 am
Dec 8 2015
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181,183
Added by bkbethers on Mar 25 2017 at 7:56 am
Nov 21 2015
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180,983
Added by bkbethers on Mar 25 2017 at 7:56 am
Jun 13 2015
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176,795
Added by bkbethers on Mar 25 2017 at 7:56 am
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