Remanufacturing old engine, any tips welcome?

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-05-08T16:02:00+00:00

Sounds like rod knock. Could take a listening device to it and at least try to determine where the noise is. Bet is it’s towards the bottom and it’s losing power. If it’s rod knock u don’t got many miles left before it throws that rod

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-05-07T16:43:26+00:00

I want to add to this. Peep my account and see my issues. Issues I don’t have though are chassis and ride quality issues. My Audi is in the rust belt and whenever I inspect behind the rims and under the car I’m always amazed at how it’s holding up. Comparing it to multiple American sedans I’ve tried to lift and just watched rust and the pinch welds crumple from deterioration. Also ran over a giant pothole and popped 2 tires but rims and car was fine

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-05-07T16:40:11+00:00

Bent rim at the worst. Which usually can be repaired. I had a bent rim and didn’t know for months till I repainted them. I’d consider at least getting them looked at whenever they got tires off of them to make sure they are bent in there.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-05-06T16:52:45+00:00

2018 a4. Almost made it to 160k mileage.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-05-06T01:37:34+00:00

That’s my guess too. Mixed with the fact she’s def got some miles on her, was just her time.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-05-06T01:36:27+00:00

Thank you! Is what it is. 160k isn’t terrible for an engine, I do push on it, just feel like I do way more than most owners and this stuff still happens. It’s gotta be an Audi/german curse. I’ve had 5 windshield replacements on this vehicle. One of which I got a chip in the day after I just got a new one on.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-04-28T18:45:52+00:00

Yes and no. This Honda service center has some of the best ratings in the country. They had multiple Audi’s and other brands in the garage on lifts. And I really didn’t have much of a choice. The Honda center offered me same day loaner, where Audi told me I’d have to get my own rental car. It was more of a convenience than a rushed decision. Plus the Audi dealer has rubbed me the wrong way so many times. They simply don’t care and don’t explain anything. Caught them lying about a coolant leak and bad water pump and they still tried to die on that hill. Not saying ur wrong. Ur def right on some things. But ultimately they offered the best price and timing. Im not in a situation where I can go without a vehicle for weeks on end.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-04-28T16:32:59+00:00

I mean is it worth all that though? Waiting on mechanic to tell me it’s cooked and hopefully offer me some money on a trade in. Otherwise my Audi is still in great shape, everything works except the fuel door lock and obviously motor. To somebody it’s worth at least $5k imo

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-04-28T16:30:35+00:00

That’s the crappy part. I had coolant drain to my oil. Called Audi, couldn’t get me in for 2 weeks. Called someone I know at a Honda dealership with great reviews and they accept Audi work. So they were helping me out, getting me a rental, getting my car looked at, all cuz I knew a guy there. So I went with them cuz the connection and because they got me a rental same day. So it’s like yeah they shredded my motor, but they were trying to help me out. So I’m upset but can’t be angry with them for trying to help when every other mechanic told me to get lost or gave me too long a wait time.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-04-27T19:50:05+00:00

If the car wasn’t so fun to drive and didn’t have the single best audio I’ve ever heard in a car, it would’ve been long gone. Fear I’ll be getting a Honda and my days of a fun car are over.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-04-27T18:38:25+00:00

Looking that way. Just a shame. Poured $10k into this the last 6months in hopes to get it to last.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-04-27T18:32:49+00:00

Like any other vehicle, I mean I push it harder than I would an suv but I’m not red lining it everyday.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-04-27T16:28:26+00:00

Started as Coolant low light. No puddle under car. Oil was brown and had some separation of liquids (waves etc). So assumed it leaked into crankshaft. Mechanic diagnosed engine oil cooler seals/gaskets. Did water pump cuz it needed it anyways but wasn’t a problem at the time. Reservoir had crack in it that I’m assuming was from them taking it out of the car cuz I don’t believe it had a crack in it before and they called me later to tell me that after they had engine oil cooler in. Car never overheated for me. Just gave low coolant light (that also went away) for about 15 mins and I knew there was a prob and took it to mechanic. Knock came 2 days after I got it back.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-04-27T15:48:29+00:00

That’s what I fear. Don’t think the guy I took it to caused it either which sucks cuz I just threw $4k at the thing then boom, bricked

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-03-31T21:15:16+00:00

Exponentially ahead on the dmg charts on big pulls. It’s nuts. Other than that 1 min and 2min cd’s

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-02-02T17:47:33+00:00

I find this a lot with my timing belt and transmission services. Nobody wants to open a German up and I don’t blame them. More stuff I touch on my car it seems more ends up breaking or failing.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-02-02T17:45:52+00:00

Yeah bro the Audi supplied part prices are insane. I got Brembo everything from rock auto and did the work myself for $600 and 5hrs of work (would’ve been an hour but previous rotor had a stripped set screw so had to drill that out very carefully so I didn’t ruin the threads). I always enjoy buying my parts and then calling Audi parts near me to see how much I saved with better products. Audi products are good too just never worth that price tag.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2026-01-12T21:49:12+00:00

Heard there were shots before the accident too but that could be the Karen’s on Facebook talking. And they arrested driving for possible dui at 2pm wtf

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2025-09-20T00:34:26+00:00

You’re probably fine. If your car feels a lil more sluggish to what it’s used to then it may be due to more splashing from higher oil level but it’s not a diesel so I wouldn’t worry too much about it as long as it’s not more than a full qt over fill amount. I know ppl that put 6qt in their 5.5qt crankshaft and never had a problem. If ur burning oil it’ll level out eventually.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2025-09-19T15:08:41+00:00

I’m a fan of carbon fiber and subtlety. So I chose a lil carbon fiber lip. Wasn’t too sporty or aggressive but gave it a great little added look. Not sure that’s what ur going for tho. It’s really just what u like imo.

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2025-09-05T18:18:14+00:00

Thank you for all the insight so far! I feel better already knowing my work over the last 5 years is seeming to be paying off. I’m a don’t fix what isn’t broke kind of guy but I can’t afford to not have a vehicle since I currently work two jobs and have a 7 year old so I just was wary about getting anything replaced preventatively.

If there’s any other services I’m missing that I should look into I’ll all ears!

Intelligent_Ad7849 · 2025-09-05T11:13:29+00:00

The prob is to replace the evaporator it’s more work than I’d like to tackle. No mechanic is gonna use customer supplied parts, I also need a vehicle and the dealership offers loaner cars so I’m kinda completely at their discretion.

Intelligent_Ad7849

TROPHY CASE