Audi A4 Flywheel smahes through the Gearbox... Any advice??

[PicklePeck]

I am in a bit of a Pickle:aargh4:

My 2006 Audi A4 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI S Line seems to have had the flywheel disintegrate and smash through the bell housing of the gearbox.

I have not had the full report from Audi but I am expecting the worst.

The car was brought from Audi from new, done 60k miles and is still on finance and has always been serviced by the main dealer.

Although the warrenty in out by 9 months I am thinking this is an extraordinary situation.

I wondered if there are any experts out there that can give me some feedback on what I can do and expect.

Cheers...

[kite]

The dual mass flywheel has fell apart....

[PicklePeck]

Thanks for the reply... I done some research and it seems to be the case.

I need to find out more about this part and whether it is faulty (although I am sure they are not designed to disintigrate into pieces) if I am to claim from the dealer.

Anyone else had the same problem?

Cheers

[kite]

I bet thay wriggle out of any claim you try to make....
They will blame driving style or any other excuse they can think of..........

[PicklePeck]

They probably will, but I read up on consumer law and it seems that under the Sale of Goods act 1979 they have a responsibility for supplying faulty goods for up to 6 years... its worth a go for a £4000+ replacement gearbox!

Also I recall reporting a clutch judder when pulling off, to the dealer on one of the services, which I now hear has a link to the failure of the flywheel.

Could have been avoided!!!!

[Eshrules]

They probably will, but I read up on consumer law and it seems that under the Sale of Goods act 1979 they have a responsibility for supplying faulty goods for up to 6 years... its worth a go for a £4000+ replacement gearbox!

Also I recall reporting a clutch judder when pulling off, to the dealer on one of the services, which I now hear has a link to the failure of the flywheel.

Could have been avoided!!!!


hehe, I admire your guts, but you'll get nowhere with that argument.

The vehicle's been running and had fair use since it was bought 4 years ago, IE not faulty.

the SOG act takes into account fair use and wear and tear....

I would consider using the argument of full dealer service history and you being the only owner, with only 60k miles and state the noise was reported to the dealer. You can suggest they help to reduce the bill by perhaps forgoing some of the labour charge.

If you go in all guns ablazing shouting the odds in regards to consumer law that doesn't apply in this instance, they'll shut shop and quite rightly too imho.

[PicklePeck]

hehe, I admire your guts, but you'll get nowhere with that argument.

The vehicle's been running and had fair use since it was bought 4 years ago, IE not faulty.

the SOG act takes into account fair use and wear and tear....

I would consider using the argument of full dealer service history and you being the only owner, with only 60k miles and state the noise was reported to the dealer. You can suggest they help to reduce the bill by perhaps forgoing some of the labour charge.

If you go in all guns ablazing shouting the odds in regards to consumer law that doesn't apply in this instance, they'll shut shop and quite rightly too imho.


Thanks for the advise, having a bill for £4k will get your blood boiling, I think going in with a polite and reasonable request is best:beerchug:

But getting back to the flywheel, can it not be argued that the design of the flywheel is at fault therefore (not fit for purpose) or (of satisfactory quality) if there are a number of other people out there that have had the same problem is this not evidence of a less than addiquate part.

Also, Audi as a manuacturer they must give a life expectancy of a part with fair wear and tear, I wonder if they can give some indication to life expectancy.

The other matter is the associated damage cause by this reletive part which has has penetrated the bell housing and seems like it requires a new Gearbox.

Is this what you would expect to happen with fair wear and tear or have I got it wrong:Blush:

[Eshrules]

Thanks for the advise, having a bill for £4k will get your blood boiling, I think going in with a polite and reasonable request is best:beerchug:

But getting back to the flywheel, can it not be argued that the design of the flywheel is at fault therefore (not fit for purpose) or (of satisfactory quality) if there are a number of other people out there that have had the same problem is this not evidence of a less than addiquate part.

Also, Audi as a manuacturer they must give a life expectancy of a part with fair wear and tear, I wonder if they can give some indication to life expectancy.

The other matter is the associated damage cause by this reletive part which has has penetrated the bell housing and seems like it requires a new Gearbox.

Is this what you would expect to happen with fair wear and tear or have I got it wrong:Blush:

You don't need to tell me how easy it is to get wound up, I've been there myself bud ;) manners get you everywhere.

regards the design fault... you can't argue that I'm afraid, because you would be questioning the design of an intrinsic part that's fitted to many engines/cars across the VAG range, flywheel failures are common, but due to wear, not because they're a poor design.

It's unusual for the bell housing to be affected by a failure though, I'm not familiar with the design so I can't advise in specific relation, but owning a car is hit or miss and sadly you've had a miss.

I would get a letter sent off, laying out the situation and ask Audi for their response, once you've got that, take it from there.

Some of the techies may be able to assist further in relation to the specifics, I'm not entirely sure the £4000 figure is correct either.

[PicklePeck]

You don't need to tell me how easy it is to get wound up, I've been there myself bud ;) manners get you everywhere.

regards the design fault... you can't argue that I'm afraid, because you would be questioning the design of an intrinsic part that's fitted to many engines/cars across the VAG range, flywheel failures are common, but due to wear, not because they're a poor design.

It's unusual for the bell housing to be affected by a failure though, I'm not familiar with the design so I can't advise in specific relation, but owning a car is hit or miss and sadly you've had a miss.

I would get a letter sent off, laying out the situation and ask Audi for their response, once you've got that, take it from there.

Some of the techies may be able to assist further in relation to the specifics, I'm not entirely sure the £4000 figure is correct either.

Thanks Eshrules,

Do flywheels usually disintegrate under normal wear and tear? And do you know if Audi accept that they are designed to shatter under normal circumstances?
Thanks for your advice

[PicklePeck]

PS

By the way I have had a nightmare with cars, all bought from new and just as they leave the 3 year warranty...

Merc ml 270... new engine rebuild 3.6 years old cost- £2500 - 6 months out of warranty

Freelander... New engine rebuild (faulty oil light sensor) cost - £1800 8 months out of warranty.

Makes London transport look cheap. Oh and dont buy a car off me either.

[paul b]

Merc ml 270... new engine rebuild 3.6 years old cost- £2500 - 6 months out of warranty

Freelander... New engine rebuild (faulty oil light sensor) cost - £1800 8 months out of warranty.
Don't you service them or something? :biglaugh:

Sorry I'll stop joking, it's a serious thread. As Eshrules has pointed out, the part (flywheel) is of satisfactory quality not just because it has lasted 4 years/60k, but because it turns out warnings were there (the judder) that the flywheel was due for replacement. Not every problem results in a light on the dashboard.

You have been unlucky, I'm sure some people have got away without new gearboxes in the past, but most folk on this forum get the juddering seen to before it's too late. By bringing this subject up, you're providing an example that others should look at on this forum, that leaving the problem until a later date won't make the problem go away, it'll only get worse.

I hope for your sake Audi will provide some kind of goodwill contribution, I would guess that they will (as you bought it from them and have had all services carried out by Audi), but they really don't have to. Just remember to be polite about it, I'm sure you will. :)

[PicklePeck]

Well I got the report back for the damage to the gearbox.

Good or bad news its a close call. :confused:

The flywheel broke up and pierced a £2 coin size hole through the gearbox housing. Also the grease contaminated the clutch.

So, new gearbox, clutch and flywheel total £3,785.

Audi has offered to put 25% towards the cost which brings it down to £2838 inclusive. At least I get a 2 year warranty with it.

Still a whole chunk of change and an nearly £3k of unexpected cost just after chistmas.

However, this has prompted me to go a get a warranty pack and I have opted for Warranty Direct for about £350 per year (peace of mind)

Thanks to you guys for the feedback.

Keep smilin....:biglaugh:

[macmillions]

I think as you had prepared yourself for £4000+ in repairs you should definately keep smiling.

It seems you just had a massive case of bad luck, and a much lighter wallet, but hopefully your unfortunate tale will have taught many others on here (and those you talk to) to insist a judder is seen to by a mechanic before anything fails.

Glad to see Audi put such a large discount on it for you too.

I know of some dealers who wouldn't do that <cough "Renault" cough> :D

And as you said, keep smiling! :biglaugh:
:beerchug:

[Eshrules]

Well I got the report back for the damage to the gearbox.

Good or bad news its a close call. :confused:

The flywheel broke up and pierced a £2 coin size hole through the gearbox housing. Also the grease contaminated the clutch.

So, new gearbox, clutch and flywheel total £3,785.

Audi has offered to put 25% towards the cost which brings it down to £2838 inclusive. At least I get a 2 year warranty with it.

Still a whole chunk of change and an nearly £3k of unexpected cost just after chistmas.

However, this has prompted me to go a get a warranty pack and I have opted for Warranty Direct for about £350 per year (peace of mind)

Thanks to you guys for the feedback.

Keep smilin....:biglaugh:

in specific relation to these weasels.... I would check the comprehensive list of exemptions, I'm pretty sure the flywheel/clutch would not be covered against failure, I'm almost certain they'd decline a claim for your issue. Be careful bud, I've dealt (as have many others) with them before.