2008 Audi A3

[John Larson]

On 5/3/2013 3:24 PM, Vic wrote:
> I'm seriously thinking of buying a 2008 A3 2.0T 6 speed manual FWD car that's for sale locally for a very good price. Anyone know of any problem areas to watch out for?
>
> Thanks.
>
> Vic Norman
In the last few years, before I retired, I've had occasion to work on a 
number of FSI cars.  Some have had good, long, lives, but an appalling 
percentage have encountered head issues way too soon.  I attribute this 
to the direct injection.  The valves get a substantial carbon buildup 
and I've seen things like one valve catching a flake of carbon and 
bending.  I've ceen cam lobes actually MOVE on the camshaft (which is a 
hollow tube with pressed on lobes) and one case where a bent intake 
valve actually allowed the combustion to torch a hole right through the 
plastic intake manifold.  R&Ring the IM to de-carbonize the valves is a 
common practice now, even at dealerships.  The lobe driving the HP fuel 
pump fails way too often.  Personally, I would NEVER own a car with one 
of these engines.

John