A4 Phil

I have had a check engine light for years which simply could not be resolved long term. The issue was finally diagnosed by an Audi service tech as probably a leak in the vacuum system, 02 S6 Avant. Anyways, Audi offered to troubleshoot for $480 if it was simply vacuum lines. They suggested it could go up to a $4000 fix if cats needed replacing as well. Car drove fine, a little rich, however, not $4000 bad. Alas I need a smog check in CA now, so I was going to have to clear the CEL for more than a few miles.

Enter BMW mechanic. Local Euro (BMW specialist) looks at it and my codes and says 'pop the hood'. He fumble around a bit an then states that my issue is my beautiful but old and now cracked braided Audi vacuum lines. He pulls all my lines off, replaces them with BMW high temp poly lines, smoke tests the system and bingo, no CEL.

Cost. $0...well because I was so impressed I turned over the rest of my list of issues to him in a heartbeat.

Several hundred miles now, CEL is still off and mileage has already increased.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Well, that's also this board's solution for many many problems with audis. Find the vacuum leak(s). Fix them.

Airbag

That braided line is available at ECS tuning.. also the thin plastic stuff breaks and is available too.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Yeah, I wonder if that ECS stuff is any better than the OEM Audi lines. I understand the silicone lines last virtually forever.

Airbag

may or may not be , to be honest i never even thought of going to the dealer as I find there prices just generally over the top on everything. I Put the ECS stuff on a couple of years ago and is still fine but i certainly do NOT use my car as much as some of you guys do for sure ..

A4 Phil

Having looked at the braided lines that came off and the new silicone lines, I have to say that the braiding does look great, but I was very surprised at how brittle it was. The car is 11 years old so I cannot act surprised, but I am shocked that 'replace the vacuum lines' is not requested as a service interval at 75k miles. My gas mileage is loving a sealed vacuum system.

Oh and silicone doesn't look that bad, just not quite as nice as the braided.

SloopJohnB@mac.com

Yeah, that's the problem with the BMW off-red silicone lines….not as JDM-looking as yellow or lime green or bright red silicone vacuum tubing though!
I guess the lack of a service interval is typical Audi…'life of the vehicle'!!
10 years always seemed like a good service interval for vacuum lines. That, and a little squeeze…if it cracks, it gets replaced….

Airbag

how can you possibly sleep at night knowing that your vacuum line that you cant see anyway because its under a big plastic cover is not braided

Actually i think the braid is to help with heat resistance . But in the 13 years since my car was built I like to think we have made a few advancements in technology and materials

A4 Phil

Ha ha...I have just been such a stickler with OEM. This is my first real venture into non OEM parts for this car. My S4 was another story. This S6 has been pretty true to OEM.