Audi S4 MY10 - Engine mount solenoid failure - knocking noise?

[BlizzardX]

Hi

I had this originally posed in the Audi thread but thought I'd bring it out here as all cars have some form of engine mount.

The Audi has a multi-state engine mount that I believe is controlled by a vacuum pump within the mount. Diagnostics has said that the left mount has an error that is intermittent and does appear so by the number of times it happens (e.g. not constantly, only 5 times in 3 weeks for example).

Now, at the same time sometimes there is a really clicking noise in the cabin from the front left. The guy who services the car thought that it could be the disc pad as the rotors and pads are low and need fully replacing and as such the pad could be rocking against the rotor edge.

I was wondering yesterday whether the clicking could be the engine mount solenoid instead and the clicking is it trying to change the state of the mount and the mount not responding.

Anyone had any experiences of these sorts of failures? I've been quoted $2000NZD by Audi to change the mounts so would rather not go down that route!

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Diddums]

Aren't these known for their engine mounts spectacularly failing and throwing huge bills? I may be wrong but I seem to recall reading that somewhere.

Personally I'd change the discs & pads first. The way you describe the problem tells me that these need doing anyway so do them and see if it cures the problem, if not then do the mount.

Who would've thought that owning a V8 super saloon could be asspensiff

 

[BlizzardX]

Heh this is the v6t (b8) version, they dropped the v8 at the end of the B7 era.

My 2009 4.8l v8 BMW 550i has been cheap in comparison to my partners Audi!

Yeah we are doing the brakes first as they are low enough to warrant doing now, just trying to steal myself to the fact that I may have to pay an extortionate amount of money to get them replaced. Unlike BMW, specialist Audi indies are non existent locally to me so its either basic mechanic or Audi.. So in other words cheaper but not sure on quality or super expensive and still not sure on quality.

 

[Diddums]

Do it yourself. It's discs, not a camshaft. It's easy, honestly. The only thing you need to make sure you have is a compressor and pneumatic socket driver. Take your time and watch some vids on Youtube to prepare yourself. If you know your lefty-loosy, righty-tighty, odds are you'll manage.

It's worth a shot at least!

 

[Nasher]

Problem with Audis is they are a total nightmare to work on, so costs a ton in man hours. A lot of engine issues require taking the whole engine out. I looked at buying an S4, but they can kick up some seriously expensive bills which don't seem to be all that rare. Especially the v8s

I don't think the B8 gets the timing chain issue though. So you might have escaped that one

 

[BlizzardX]

Do it yourself. It's discs, not a camshaft. It's easy, honestly. The only thing you need to make sure you have is a compressor and pneumatic socket driver. Take your time and watch some vids on Youtube to prepare yourself. If you know your lefty-loosy, righty-tighty, odds are you'll manage.

It's worth a shot at least!

I've just realised that my post sounded like the brakes where expensive... They are but they're much much cheaper than the engine mounts which was what I was stealing myself for! Hah, better proof read my posts first!

 

[BlizzardX]

Problem with Audis is they are a total nightmare to work on, so costs a ton in man hours. A lot of engine issues require taking the whole engine out. I looked at buying an S4, but they can kick up some seriously expensive bills which don't seem to be all that rare. Especially the v8s

I don't think the B8 gets the timing chain issue though. So you might have escaped that one

Yup, mostly have to try and either drop the sub-frame and work in the small space OR take the engine out... I'm just trying to minimise my costs as much as I can!