Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

[ridelikeme]

Hey guys here was the issue:

The sound was heard between 1200-1500rpm, took the car into an Audi/VW uner here in town and was told it was my cam chain tensioner.. sweet.. so almost a grand later I personally had replaced the CCT with an OEM Audi part, as well as the valve cover gaskets. It was throwing a code for timing retarded or something, hopefully that code is gone, but my vag-com was drivin over so im not sure.

Problem Now:

The same sound can be heard from 1000-1200 or so rpm. its a loud metallic type rattle, and annoying as ****. also there seems to be an "electric like" clicking noise coming from the check valve pictured. I will be removing the entire SAI system after mid-terms so that's not a big deal. Please help, the video of the extremely obvious problem can be seen below.

[ridelikeme]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

figured my own **** out...

[R_Ethug]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

what was it?

[turbomeyers]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

yea

[ridelikeme]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

the metal tab off of the timing belt tensioner pulley was vibrating due to a failed timing belt tensioner damper. Wont know any more until I tear the bumper off after midterms. As for right now its driveable thanks to some heavy duty 3m double sided tape and a strip of pirelli rubber. (no not ghetto, just to kill the noise)

[ridelikeme]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

question... If you guys took your car into a reputable shop to have the original problem diagnosed, and you paid for that diagnosis.. and then paid nearly $1000 for parts from the dealer, doing your own labor rather than paying that said shop to complete the job.. How would you go about dealing with the fact that the diagnosis was in no way correct, and that diagnosis cost you nearly $800 more than it should have once everything was said and done??

[R-Audi]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

I tihnk it would be tough to prove without them completeing the labour...you usually void any warranties and take responsibility for your actions. I would certainly try asking though...but go straight to the Manager.. dont deal with anyone else.

[turbomeyers]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

i would say the shop that did the diagnosis had they done the repair would have discounted the wrong repair and absorb some of the cost but not if you did repair yourself .

[ridelikeme]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

yeah I agree with both of you.. It was a very reputable shop, and one I would definately go back to again.. But none the less I would not have done the repair if I had not been "diagnosed" the wrong issue.

[VAG_Tech]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

Can I be as so bold as to ask what shop it was?

[VWSM]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

It sure wasn't mine.

[Kor]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

question... If you guys took your car into a reputable shop to have the original problem diagnosed, and you paid for that diagnosis.. and then paid nearly $1000 for parts from the dealer, doing your own labor rather than paying that said shop to complete the job.. How would you go about dealing with the fact that the diagnosis was in no way correct, and that diagnosis cost you nearly $800 more than it should have once everything was said and done??

Think about any situation where you are diagnosing something. Until you get in there, elbows-deep, there is a chance you were wrong. Its a guess not a guarantee. Do you watch that show "House"? It takes him like 10 things every show before he figures it out. Thats real life. Its the same at my job. When there is a problem, I can guess what it is, but often I have to do 2 or 3 different things and then finally the problem is solved.

You paid for someone to take a look and give you their best guess without doing the work. If you had paid for the work, to solve a problem, then of course I would say you should not have to pay any more money and you can take it back until its solved. But you didn't pay for a solution, you paid for a guess, and then you went and bought parts at your own risk. This shop didn't even sell you the parts in question that cost you the bulk of the money. The diagnosis was what, $150 for an hour of the person's time? They gave you that fair and square.

Sorry but next time either pay a professional or take responsibility if you do it yourself.

I am surprised at VWSM. How would you like people to come into your shop, ask you to take a quick look at a serious problem, and then they go home, spend a whole bunch of time and maybe even break their car, then come back to you and say you're responsible? Its not that different of a situation. I am sure you would tell your customers "Just let me do it, I know what I'm doing and I will guarantee that I can solve it."

[Smartiepants]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

I'm going to have to agree with Kris on this one, sure it does suck, but unless you doubt they actually spent the time diagnosing, or were negligent, it's part of what happens, if you trust the shop, chances are they weren't doing nothing, and were doing their best to figure it out.

They could get lucky and guess right first try, then it could be a head scratcher where they look at everything. It's all part of the work process.

[vee_dubbin]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

It would be a different story if you had them install the part and it still wasn't fixed. Then they would have to absorb some costs. They would usually give you a break on labour. But when they see someone who basically used them to diagnos the problem and went somewhere else to buy the part and do it themselves, they will have little sympathy for you're situation.

[ridelikeme]

Re: Serious Diagnostic Help Required:Video & Pictures Included

It would be a different story if you had them install the part and it still wasn't fixed. Then they would have to absorb some costs. They would usually give you a break on labour. But when they see someone who basically used them to diagnos the problem and went somewhere else to buy the part and do it themselves, they will have little sympathy for you're situation.

actually you guys are off on this.. A shop is paid to diagnose and repair automobiles. Diagnosis is a major part, its still a charged service. And the situation has been dealt with. Actually caught me by surprise the level of service and customer loyalty that this shop showed. I have NEVER had such good service, regardless of the situation and its a shame that this mishap occurred in the first place. I like wrenching on my own car, its my thing, but sometimes I need a hand diagnosing a new issue and that's why I took it in..