i have a 2000 a4 2.8 quattro. was getting misfire on cylinder 3,4,6 ... cylinder 4 has been the one misfiring often and shop guy saw oil on the tip of the spark plug in 4.

car was misfiring from time to time but would be fine once i let go of pedal and then re-accelerate. but the other day, all of a sudden the engine started shaking pretty bad hwile driving and CEL started flashing ... any case, shop guy said the head will need to be rebuilt after checking compression, timings, valves and other stuff. Rough estimate is about $2600 including labor for rebuild head, and new gaskets nad other necessary parts. Is that price reasonable?

Being that the car itself isnt really worth that much anymore and ill also need to replace the control arms on the car as well, do you think its worth repairing? Ive been looking around for a new car just in an case. Its an option at the moment. If i go another car route, not sure what would do with the broken one??

TIA.

 

part out the broken one on these forums,people will buy parts they need,but beware,we B5 owners are vultures,when we smell a B5 on the brink of death,we hover around above the soon to be dead,B5

 

lol too funny. i noticed that when i was searching and going through posts ... i even replaced the tires not even a month ago too, that cost me like almost 700!! grrrrr

 

I just loled at that. It's totally true haha.

 

Did you actualy see the compression test done and #'s? There is a gasket within your valve cover that seals the spark plug wells to keep oil out. It's possible for oil to seep down and cause a mis. Unless your car has over 200k miles, and if you know that it hasn't violently overheated in the past, I would be second guessing. 2.8's are just rarely ever due for a head gasket anytime bellow 200k unless the engine was driven a distance while overheating. Even if it is the head gasket, there is no reason to rebuild the head with new valves, etc!!!!! I could be wrong but I get the feeling that someone is trying to take advantage of you.

 

i didnt see the test done since i been at work and the car is at the shop. but if i can remember correctly, he mentioned that valve wasnt closing or something like that therefore causing the oil to get into where the spark plug was. the car has about 108k miles

 

I'm saying BS. 108k is nothing. Get a second opionion. It's way more likely at 108k that your spark plug well gasket is letting oil through and onto the plugs - causing the misses.

 

^^^what he said.

 

hmm. another thing forgot to mention, when you start up the car, it idles really rough and the engine shakes pretty bad. after a few sec, the CEL will start flashing. I had to get it towed to the shop since its a good 18-19miles to the shop.

 

That's the car actively misfiring. Check your plugs. Onepoint8tee is likely right on the money. Bet you'll find oil on them.