Power steering failure - Dealership Complaint
03-11-2011, 06:10 PM
#1
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Location: Burlington, Ontario
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Power steering failure - Dealership Complaint
Last night I was on my way home to Burlington from Hamilton and I lost power steering. I was able to drive in a straight line but virtually impossible to turn any corners. When I got home I checked the reservoir and it was empty. I had a bottle of the correct fluid and started pouring it in. The fluid was draining out of a hole in one of the hoses that go to the steering box.
Brought it into Oakville Audi this morning and they didn't get a chance to check it until 2pm when they informed me that I would need new hoses, fill and bleed off. The sum for this work will be approx. $500 bill.
Once this is done they can check the power steering pump and if it needs to be replaced I am looking at a bill of approx. $1800 on top of the $500.
Apparently this is not an uncommon problem that could happen to anyone.
Just a heads up.
Brought it into Oakville Audi this morning and they didn't get a chance to check it until 2pm when they informed me that I would need new hoses, fill and bleed off. The sum for this work will be approx. $500 bill.
Once this is done they can check the power steering pump and if it needs to be replaced I am looking at a bill of approx. $1800 on top of the $500.
Apparently this is not an uncommon problem that could happen to anyone.
Just a heads up.
Last edited by mikeh; 03-15-2011 at 01:19 PM.
03-15-2011, 07:56 AM
#4
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Re: Power steering failure
Its no wonder most people have trouble trusting the dealerships when doing repairs. As you all know I got my car back yesterday from Oakville Audi after replacing a power steering return hose from the rack to the cooler. The cost breakdown for this was $121 for the hose, $357 labour, $9 gas, and taxes. Total was $550.38. Although I find the bill excessive I am not complaining about it.
What I am complaining about is now my car won't start on the first try after sitting for a period of time. I had one of our members deleat the door chime using VAG-COM (don't want to hear it when cleaning the car) and I can smell burnt oil when I drive.
What does changing a hose have anything to do with door chimes and car not starting on first try? For a $550 bill I would have thought that included cleaning the engine compartment from any oil resulting from the leak.
Now I intend on taking it back today but want to hear from our members on their thoughts?
What I am complaining about is now my car won't start on the first try after sitting for a period of time. I had one of our members deleat the door chime using VAG-COM (don't want to hear it when cleaning the car) and I can smell burnt oil when I drive.
What does changing a hose have anything to do with door chimes and car not starting on first try? For a $550 bill I would have thought that included cleaning the engine compartment from any oil resulting from the leak.
Now I intend on taking it back today but want to hear from our members on their thoughts?
03-15-2011, 10:56 AM
#5
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Re: Power steering failure
UPDATE:
Brought the car back to Oakville Audi and here are the results:
1. Door chime was disabled by me and now is suddenly working again - service manager will call me when he gets back from vacation.
2. Car starts and then shuts down on first attempt then starts and stays running on second attempt. - use another key and monitor for a period of time. Ignition reader coil may need to be replaced $285 or I need a new Key $210.
3. Oil smell - drive the car for a while it will burn off.
BTW there was not charge for diagnostics as a one time Goodwill Gesture.
&$#@&%$ ------ Thats what I have to say.
Car started perfectly before I had the hose replaced and so did the door chime thing. They F%$ked with my car otherwise there would be no other explaination.
Brought the car back to Oakville Audi and here are the results:
1. Door chime was disabled by me and now is suddenly working again - service manager will call me when he gets back from vacation.
2. Car starts and then shuts down on first attempt then starts and stays running on second attempt. - use another key and monitor for a period of time. Ignition reader coil may need to be replaced $285 or I need a new Key $210.
3. Oil smell - drive the car for a while it will burn off.
BTW there was not charge for diagnostics as a one time Goodwill Gesture.
&$#@&%$ ------ Thats what I have to say.
Car started perfectly before I had the hose replaced and so did the door chime thing. They F%$ked with my car otherwise there would be no other explaination.
03-15-2011, 12:40 PM
#6
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Re: Power steering failure
Just found out that when the car is turned off with the radio on and the keys removed, the radio doesn't turn off when the door is opened - which I believe it should.
More evidence that they tampered with my car.
More evidence that they tampered with my car.
03-18-2011, 02:48 PM
#8
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Re: Power steering failure - Dealership Complaint
1. the 'oil' smell is probably burning off power steering fluid that sprayed all over underneath your engine bay as a result of the hose blowing. Since they aren't going to pull your engine to clean it, they probably just wiped down what they could reach. Did you see where the PS stuff is? It's hard to get to. Hiding in the middle (up and down) of the engine bay on the driver's side edge.
2. the seatbelt chime delete that you did was flashed back to 'oem' thus is now re-activated on the Canada setting (6 awful beeps I think). They probably turned off your remote windows etc. too. When a car has a problem, they do a few things, including resetting the codes for the stuff they've fixed...and flashing your ECU back to 'stock' to make sure that's not causing the problem. They'll also change some of the coding thus affecting your VC mods. I'll just re-do them for you.
Did you tell them when you went in 'my belt chime is deleted and my remote key is activated, so please put them back the way they were when you flash the car? I'm betting you didn't. Next time you'll know.
3. the car not starting makes no sense at all. Starter itself is way on the other side of the engine bay. I really have nothing for this one.
4. the radio in any modern Audi is setup to have power even if no key is within 100 miles of the car. I'm not sure that your radio should STAY on when you turn off the ignition...but if you turned on the radio (pushed the on/off button/volum ****) that would do it. It only stays on for like 15 minutes, but if this is always ongoing, this could mean your battery will run down over time.
Best of luck with John Kamp...he's a good guy, loves S4s and will try to help.
2. the seatbelt chime delete that you did was flashed back to 'oem' thus is now re-activated on the Canada setting (6 awful beeps I think). They probably turned off your remote windows etc. too. When a car has a problem, they do a few things, including resetting the codes for the stuff they've fixed...and flashing your ECU back to 'stock' to make sure that's not causing the problem. They'll also change some of the coding thus affecting your VC mods. I'll just re-do them for you.
Did you tell them when you went in 'my belt chime is deleted and my remote key is activated, so please put them back the way they were when you flash the car? I'm betting you didn't. Next time you'll know.
3. the car not starting makes no sense at all. Starter itself is way on the other side of the engine bay. I really have nothing for this one.
4. the radio in any modern Audi is setup to have power even if no key is within 100 miles of the car. I'm not sure that your radio should STAY on when you turn off the ignition...but if you turned on the radio (pushed the on/off button/volum ****) that would do it. It only stays on for like 15 minutes, but if this is always ongoing, this could mean your battery will run down over time.
Best of luck with John Kamp...he's a good guy, loves S4s and will try to help.
03-18-2011, 02:54 PM
#9
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Re: Power steering failure - Dealership Complaint
Thats the point. When I went back they said that no scan tool was used and they didn't do anything to the car. I would have to pay extra to fix the problems. Called Audi Canada and within 10 minutes got a call from Mark (owner) and made arrangements to bring the car in on Monday.
At this point there isn't a whole lot of faith and trust. I am wondering if my tune/chip was modified.
As for the oil smell. I paid $550 to have a hose replaced. Clean the F&$%ing engine.
At this point there isn't a whole lot of faith and trust. I am wondering if my tune/chip was modified.
As for the oil smell. I paid $550 to have a hose replaced. Clean the F&$%ing engine.
03-21-2011, 10:12 AM
#10
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Re: Power steering failure - Dealership Complaint
Well the S4 went back to Oakville Audi this morning to evaluate what the cause of the problems are. Their service manager John took a look and at first glance didn't see the relationship between a hose replacement and electrical problems. I mentioned that although I accept coincidents it doesn't look good that this coincidence happened here immediately after getting the hose fixed.
Will keep you posted.
Will keep you posted.
