405 AUTOMOTIVE, Inc. AUDI/VOLKSWAGON SPECIALISTS

Audi and Volkswagen comes from the same family - VAG - Volkswagen Audi Group. Very nice cars and gorgeous drive experience.

Most of common problems comes down to following categories:

1. Overheating - coolant expansion tank cracks over the time, water pump - driven by timing belt leaks coolant or pump impeller cracks. Radiators likes to leak on all Audi / VW vehicles. In addition on 4 cylinder engines rear cooling flange likes to leak coolant as well. Audi / VW thermostats are very fragile and if you car was even slightly overheated thermostat has to be replaced.

2. Oil leaks - either on 4 cylinder or V6 engines oil leaks form valve covers and camshaft adjustors.

3. Sludge - all 4 cylinders engines made between 1997-2004 are affected by oil sludge. Engine shows low oil pressure and may seize. Most of cars have extended warranty against that problem. Make sure to use best quality synthetic engine oil and change it frequently to avoid repairs.

4. Motor mounts - they love to break on all Audi / VW cars. Repair is easy and requires new motor mounts. It is more complicated on Audi Allroad as there is no access to too motor mount bolts.

5. Check engine light - vacuum leaks. Audi / VW engines are using power of vacuum to run accessories like air injection. Also crankcase breathing system is complicated with one way valves and network of vacuum lines. They usually gets deteriorated causing vacuum leaks / lean mixture and rough running. Repair usually comes down to replacement of vacuum lines and deteriorated rubber breather hoses. Sometimes check valves are cracked as well and have to be replaced.

6. Front axle - Most of Audi / VW cars are front or all wheel driven. Front axle boots are often cracked causing dirt to do inside CV joint and grease to come out. Frequent checking at time of oil change or any service helps prevent CV joint damage. Axles are pretty expensive and by early diagnosis you may save tons of money just by replacing broken CV joint boots.

7. Camshaft / High pressure fuel pump on FSI models - 2005 and up 4 cylinder cars have problem with intake camshaft lobe who runs high pressure fuel pump. Repair is expensive and requires intake camshaft replacement together with plunger and high pressure fuel pump.

Key on AUDI / VW cars is proper maintenance. They are fragile on lack of service and you are the one who will have to spend money bringing your car back on the road when broken. Remember to replace your timing belt every 80.000 miles as its critical part of the engine. Broken timing belt usually means $2000+ expense and its very easy to prevent that.

BMW

Mini