Experiencing car troubles can be incredibly frustrating, especially with a relatively new vehicle. Owners of the 2018 Audi Q7, a model known for its luxury and performance, may be surprised to encounter significant engine issues. One owner recently shared their concerning experience with a 2018 Audi Q7 3.0T Prestige, highlighting a problem that could be indicative of wider 2018 Audi Q7 Problems.
This particular Audi Q7, with approximately 53,000 miles, suffered a “drive system malfunction” error while driving. The vehicle shuttered, prompting a trip to the dealership and subsequent diagnostics. The initial error codes pointed to a cylinder 4 misfire, along with related issues of a “hide cylinder” and misfire during fuel injection. Adding to the concern, fuel residue was discovered on the spark plug of cylinder 4.
Initially, the dealership recommended replacing the fuel injectors, a seemingly logical step given the fuel residue and misfire codes. The owner approved the replacement, hoping it would resolve the problem. However, the relief was short-lived. The engine continued to misfire, and the error codes reappeared. Technicians cleared the codes several times, initially suspecting residual pressure issues from the fuel injector replacement. Unfortunately, further investigation revealed a more serious problem: low compression in cylinder 4.
Compression testing showed a critical reading of only 3 BAR in cylinder 4, significantly below the expected 10 BAR or higher. Despite using a borescope to visually inspect cylinder 4, technicians found no “noticeable damage.” This lack of visible damage, combined with severely low compression, presents a diagnostic puzzle and points towards potentially internal engine problems.
At this juncture, the Audi dealership presented the owner with two costly options:
- Engine Teardown for Diagnosis: This option involves disassembling the engine to pinpoint the exact cause of the low compression. The estimated cost is “a few grand,” with a warning that ECRC motors (likely referring to an engine code or type) are prone to failure, potentially leading to full engine replacement anyway.
- Engine Replacement: The second option is a complete engine replacement, bypassing further diagnosis and directly addressing the symptoms with a new engine.
The car owner, understandably shocked by such severe engine problems in a 4.5-year-old Audi Q7 with moderate mileage, sought advice and wanted to know if others have encountered similar 2018 Audi Q7 problems. This situation raises questions about the reliability of the 2018 Audi Q7 engine and whether this is an isolated incident or a symptom of more widespread issues. Owners facing similar “drive system malfunction” errors or cylinder misfires in their 2018 Audi Q7s should be aware of the potential for serious underlying engine problems like low compression and consider thorough diagnostics to determine the best course of action.
