SureTrack Community Real Fix: Timing Makes all the Difference

This fix illustrates the power of the SureTrack community to quickly help a fellow tech solve a problem. SureTrack community member, Patriot Tech, had a 2013 Audi A4 towed in from another shop and not running. They posed the question to the community, and with the help of DAG1365, and other fellow community members, they were able to resolve the issue quickly.

The following Community Fix summarizes the interaction between members of the community that led to the solution.

Vehicle
2013 Audi A4 Premium Plus Quattro

Title
Towed In, Not Running, Code P01600

Complaint
The customer states the vehicle is not running.

Diagnostic Steps Performed

Initially performed a dry comp. test and all cylinders were at 30 psi, then performed a wet test and got all cylinders up to approximately 100 psi. After, it still wouldn’t fire but the sound seemed as though it was about to.

After sitting for a week, I decided to continue diagnostics, and it fired right up, although smoking of course. Then I changed the oil, which was reminiscent of diesel oil (really thin and smelled of fuel)… took it for a drive, and it would barely move until it got up to 3000rpm, then felt normal. The lower rpms feel like the exhaust is plugged solid, so as I wait for it to cool to check back pressure, it keeps coming up with a cmp/ckp correlation code (p01600).

Cause

The timing chain had stretched to the point that the tensioner was hyper-extended. With further research, it appears these vehicles commonly stretch chains at about 70-80k.

Correction

Replaced the timing chain and guides, cleared codes, performed a road test and verified the vehicle operated properly. No fault codes returned.