After the German automobile giant Audi began producing the Audi A5 series in 2007, the compact line of cars eventually made a name among high-performing executive coupe vehicles.  With beautiful interior design and modern-day luxury tech, Audi A5 is also equipped with a powerful engine. But like most compact cars, facing Audi A5 engine problems can be really tough to deal with.

Suppose you are thinking of buying an Audi A5 car or you already own one, you should take caution for the following engine problems. They include excess oil consumption, bad timing chain, spark coil failure, faulty turbo, bad cam follower, and thermostat failure. While these problems can be pretty challenging, you can quickly scale through with some expert recommendations.

We will give you a heads-up on some of these common issues. Plus, we have also compiled some expert recommendations that will be helpful when purchasing an Audi A5. Read on.

Most Common Audi A5 Engine Problems and How To Fix Them

It’s important to know that aside from a few faults, building powerful engines is something German automobile manufacturers are top-rated for. And Audi takes the lead as one of the reliable manufacturers. Although a lot of improvements have been made to the Audi series, here are some of the engine problems you would still experience with the Audi A5.

Excess Oil Consumption

No matter the kind of car you drive, if it has a high-performance engine,  you might have to deal with excessive oil consumption after a while. In the case of the Audi A5, it is usually a nightmare for car owners because it can cause them to spend a fortune on engine oil. And what’s worse? If it is not detected and handled immediately, it can lead to total engine failure. Excess oil consumption is caused by two things: excessive carbon buildup in the engine and poorly engineered piston rings. Sometimes the piston rings from the factory are too thin, leading to oil leakage.

Solution: Take your car to an automobile mechanic and get him to clear carbon build-up. Change the piston rings if they are faulty. An expert recommendation is to use Audi A5 engines from 2012 and above as they are less susceptible to excessive oil consumption. 

Bad Timing Chain   

Another common defect with the Audi A5 engine is the bad timing chain. The timing chain is the bridge between the camshaft and crankshaft. It is responsible for the opening and closure of intake valves and exhaust. If your Audi A5 has a problematic timing chain, the intake valve and piston will jam and cause engine failure. Things might get worse here if you don’t fix it. A sign that your car’s timing chain is bad is when you hear a rattling noise when you start or kill your engine.

Solution: Your best bet would be to take your car to an automobile expert so they can change the timing chain and any other faulty parts related to it.

Spark Coil Failure

In the case of the Audi A5, the spark coil is responsible for transforming the low voltage in the car battery to a higher voltage so the spark plugs can use it to light up the fuel in the engine. A spark coil can fail because the coil has worn out. If the spark coil fails, the engine will misfire and cause the car to jerk when moving. When more than one spark coil fails, the car’s engine might not even get enough power to start. 

Solution: To solve this problem, you need to change the spark coil and spark plug. Essentially, change all the coils and the plugs to avoid engine misfires that happen when new and old coils are together.

Turbo Failure

Problems related to the turbo are common in cars with high-performance engines. Ideally, the Audi A5 turbo is an essential vehicle component that supplies power to the engine. It makes driving and acceleration easy. If the turbo fails, the first noticeable sign is that your car’s engine will lose performance, producing less power output than it should.

In most cases, it will also lead to the car emitting colored smoke from the exhaust. Blueish white smoke from the exhaust shows the engine is burning oil, which means your turbo’s shaft is leaking oil into the engine. Black smoke shows that the turbo isn’t supplying enough air for the engine to burn the fuel completely.

Solution: Take your car to an automobile mechanic. They will check out the turbo to see if it is broken or damaged beyond repair and needs replacing.

Thermostat And Water Pump Failure

Turbo failure isn’t the end of Audi A5’s likely woes. The thermostat and water pump can fail too. Specifically, these two parts of the engine system are responsible for cooling the engine to avoid overheating. The temperature of the engine coolant controls the thermostat. If the coolant is cold, the thermostat closes, keeping the coolant circulating in the engine. If the coolant heats up, the thermostat opens and lets the coolant go to the radiator, which cools down before returning to the engine. On the other hand, the water pump ensures the flow of the coolant. If these two engine parts develop faults, the head gasket will blow. 

Solution: Some Audi A5 water pumps have plastic impellers prone to breaking. Change the plastic impellers with metal ones. Also, check coolant levels constantly. Replace the thermostat and water pump if they are faulty.

Last Words

The Audi A5 is a great choice of car. The design and performance of the engine are top quality. However, some of the problems mentioned above are drawbacks. It is important to note that these issues worsen as the car rakes in more mileage. Hence, more care should be taken, especially when buying a used one. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Audi A5 Engine Is Most Reliable?

The 2019 Audi A5 engine is the most reliable. It had a 3.5/5 rating, the best score for Audi cars in its class. Currently, it is also one of the quickest sedans available in the market. Additionally, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace An Audi A5 Engine?

The average cost to replace an Audi A5 engine is $995 to $1050. The service charge will also cost $190 to $250. This price, however, is still subject to change based on your unique problem.

What Kind Of Engine Is On the Audi A5?

The Audi A5 has four kinds of engines. They are:

1. 2L turbocharged engine with four cylinders, 201hp, and 236 lb-ft.
2. 2L turbocharged engine with four cylinders, 261 hp, and 273 lb-ft.
3. 3L turbocharged engine with six cylinders, 349 hp, and 369 lb-ft.
4. 2.9L twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 444hp and 442 lb-ft.