Audi service & Repair

How to spot it:
You may notice oil spots under the vehicle, a burning smell after driving, smoke from the engine bay, or a low oil warning on the dash.

Common sources: 

Upper timing covers, valve covers/camshaft bridges, and lower oil pans are the most common areas for leaks on Inline 4 and V-6 engines. V8 engines follow suit on older models, while the newer turbo engines see oil leaks from the oil filter housing, engine oil coolers and turbo oil rings.

V6 TDIs have a few common areas for oil leaks, especially the crankshaft cradle. Before coming to us, call the dealership to see if your vehicle still qualifies for the Federal extension enforced after Diesel Gate.

When to call your mechanic:
Call as soon as you notice oil loss, burning smells, or warning lights. Driving with low oil can cause serious engine damage.

How to spot it:
Look for a sweet smell, coolant spots under the vehicle, a low coolant warning, rising temperature gauge, or steam from under the hood. New engines lose coolant internally through the vacuum system and can go unnoticed when not serviced regularly.

Common Causes:

Inline 4 engines have known issues with the integrated coolant pump/electric thermostat housing. Modern V6/V8 turbo engines both suffer from a poor design of the coolant pump that causes “invisible” coolant loss through vacuum lines. This can be regularly tested during service to catch a failing pump seal before it does damage.

When to call your mechanic:
Call immediately if the temperature gauge rises above normal or a coolant warning appears. Do not keep driving an overheating engine.

How to spot it:
The engine may shake at idle, hesitate to start, hesitate under acceleration, feel down on power, buck abruptly or trigger a check engine light. 

Common causes:

Ignition coils have been a primary culprit. Rarely do we see spark plugs cause misfires when the factory maintenance is followed. In early V6/V8 TFSI engines, fuel injectors would fail in 3 ways: active leaks, improper injection pattern, failure to inject enough fuel.

When to call your mechanic:
Schedule service promptly. Misfires can damage the catalytic converter and may be caused by spark plugs, ignition coils, fuel delivery issues, vacuum leaks, or carbon buildup.

How to spot it:
You may notice rough cold starts, reduced fuel economy, sluggish acceleration, or repeated misfire codes.

When to call your mechanic:
If your Audi feels less responsive or has recurring misfire symptoms, have it inspected. Early diagnosis can prevent unnecessary parts replacement.

How to spot it:
Common signs include whistling noises, rough or high idle, oil consumption, lean running codes with a check engine light.

Common causes: 

The diaphragm valve is the most common failure. In inline-4 engines, this can be a very slight whistle or the sound of a ‘vacuum’ leak. In older V6/V8 engines, this whistling can be very loud.

When to call your mechanic:
Call when you notice unusual intake noises, idle problems, or repeated engine fault codes. Small air leaks can affect drivability and fuel economy.

How to spot it:
Watch for rough shifting, hesitation when pulling away, delayed engagement, jerking at low speeds, or transmission warning messages.

When to call your mechanic:
Call right away if shifting feels abnormal. Transmission problems are often more affordable to address early than after continued driving.

How to spot it:
You may hear clunks over bumps or when braking, feel vibration at speed, notice uneven tire wear, or experience looseness in the steering. 

Common causes:

Audi’s smooth ride is made possible by complex multi-link suspension front and rear. Upper control arm bushings and lower thrust arm bushings are the most common failure due to the demand placed on them. When fully separated/torn, a clunk can be heard/felt when braking.

When to call your mechanic:
Book an inspection if your Audi no longer feels tight, quiet, or stable. Suspension wear affects handling, comfort, and tire life.

How to spot it:
Modern Audis rely on sensors and modules for many systems. Warning lights, intermittent alerts, parking sensor faults, lighting issues, or battery drain may point to an electrical concern.

When to call your mechanic:
Call when warning lights return after restarting the vehicle or when electrical symptoms happen repeatedly. Accurate diagnosis is key before replacing parts.

How to spot it:
Poor heating/cooling, airflow doesn’t switch vents, temperature is not even from one side to the other, you hear a prolonged hissing upon AC start up. 

Common causes:

Audi evaporators and expansion valves have become an issue in hot humid states where they are in constant use which leads to corrosion. Periodically, compressor failures will occur when other issues aren’t repaired quickly. HVAC motors are a common failure that will cause incorrect airflow within the cabin.

When to call your mechanic:
Call when your heating or cooling is noisy, poor, temperature is uneven, smells poorly or you have no airflow.