AudiNut87

Had a check engine light on forever, finally went to dealer and they found the intake actuator 077198327A arms busted. Dealer actually stocked these bad boys :



http://gruvenparts.com/website/cart/...category_id=60

for $150 including parts, labor i was out the door. They said the quote from Audi was going to be more like $1000. Might be 1st time ive ever saved $ by going to the dealer for service ...

JD

johnkk

Probably the reason they broke was that the shafts were not turning freely in the bushings at the front. If you can twist them by hand, you're OK and lucky. If they're stuck, you need to pull the bushing mounts off and clean out the bushing with a dremel. then the shafts will turn freely. takes about 1.5 hrs to do both sides.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

THE reason they broke is because the shafts were binding. Replacing the links may work for awhile, but if the shafts aren't lubricated eventually the vacuum motors themselves will tear the diaphragms.
The vacuum motors can be individually replaced rather than the 750$ kit...I forget the P/N but Lamborghini and Land Rover have the motors individually IIRC.

AudiNut87

thanks.

mine both rotated freely and the actuators themselves are fine.

gruven has a DIY write up on the product page which explains the cleaning procedure. i printed that out and handed to dealer mechanic, but he said mine were free already.

AudiNut87

does anyone know where to buy the actuators themselves?

Audi dealer tells me they are only place to get them but I cant see forking over $400 for 1.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Google part number and lamborghini.

AudiNut87

Awesome thanks !

A4 Phil

This is my next project. I'll run it by my local Audi service to see if the will use these part instead of the Audi kit. If not, I'll go shade tree. This is another example of an inexpensive part which is guaranteed to fail. Aka coolant pipe connector made of plastic.

Did you feel any power improvement after fixing this issue or gas mileage change?

AudiNut87

YES and YES. Feels like about 15-20 more hp and fuel mileage is up a few mpg. Engine feels much nicer too, now that its working as it should. You dont need a dealer to install the link arms, the mechanic showed me what to do. Literally takes 1 minutes. Just unclip whats left of the plastic links and clip these metal ones on. Easiest 15hp mod ever.

A4 Phil

Ordered 1 inch linkages today. I turned the arms in my fingers. They moved freely. If I shred the diaphragm I'll order new from Lambo or Range Rover next week. Right now both my linkages are simply broken though one of them also has slipped the clip off of the valve/diaphragm.

Linkages from Gruven were $97 with shipping. $800 from local Audi though that includes the valves.