Petrol 4.2 part number needed

[Mr_V]

Hi all.

I hope I am posting this in the right place, if not, please could admins move it?

I have discovered a broken linkage on the intake of my 2004 D3 4.2 v8.

There are two vacuum operated butterflies (I believe, if it's the same as the Vauxhall v6?) The linkage between the vacuum unit and the butterfly has snapped. I tried gluing it but superglue doesn't have the strength to hold it together.

I called in at my local audi parts department and they could only find the entire vacuum unit which was in excess of £250, so I'm hoping one of you helpful peeps could find the right part number for me. Otherwise I will try and get one made up as I'm sure it is very similar to the suspension links. A new link can be made from the parts similar to the lowering links I got.

[mannyo]

The linkages are not available as separate parts and only come as part of the whole intake manifold.

There are third party alternatives available though, but before buying anything you need to check that the manifold flaps themselves have not seized solid like mine.

You should be able to easily move the part at the other end of the bellows by hand against the spring pressure, if it does not move or is stiff then the intake manifold needs to be overhauled to get them working again. If you replace the plastic part without a correctly working part then it will just break again.

Both mine are still seized and have been since I bought the car last year, I've not really noticed any difference between this car and my previous one that had working flaps.

One of our forum members offers a rebuild service, but you must remove and send him the entire intake manifold.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6170

[Mr_V]

Originally Posted by mannyo

You should be able to easily move the part at the other end of the bellows by hand against the spring pressure, if it does not move or is stiff then the intake manifold needs to be overhauled to get them working again. If you replace the plastic part without a correctly working part then it will just break again.

Thanks for that. I should have known it was a common problem.

They move albeit a bit stiff - I just thought it was the springs that were strong. On the Vauxhall v6 they open during a specific rev range to improve torque and iron out flat spots.

I wonder if my fuel economy would improve if these are working as designed? At the moment I am getting about 19-20 (17ish on LPG)

[M-A8]

Yeah, kit costs ridiculous money, they say its improved but still with plastic links.

This is how I solved my problem.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8252

part here
http://www.gruvenparts.com/audi-vw-4...-linkage-arms/

Select A6/A8 V8 2inch

[Mr_V]

Originally Posted by M-A8

Yeah, kit costs ridiculous money, they say its improved but still with plastic links.

This is how I solved my problem.

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=8252

part here
http://www.gruvenparts.com/audi-vw-4...-linkage-arms/

Select A6/A8 V8 2inch

Awesome - I think I'll take another look at the weekend and make sure they move freely then get some ordered.

[M-A8]

Yeah, make sure they do. There is a bit of tension so apply some pressure.
If they do then you laughing.
For less than half of still crap kit you will have links which will last a lifetime

[Mr_V]

Just ordered 1 inch links from gruvenparts.

I checked the movement on the inlet and it does appear that the springs are strong, as they move freely and snap shut easily.

[M-A8]

Are you sure your ones are 1inch???
I've got pretty much same engine and I've got 2inch ones

[Architex_mA8tey]

S8 ones are 1 inch and all the A8 ones are 2 inch I think.

[M-A8]

Hopefully it's only typing error...