Cranks no start cold day?

Tiny
BHAMDOC1
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 AUDI A4
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 94,000 MILES
Posted this question before but I cannot find it. One cold day tried to start it it made a noise and died, then kept trying but didn't start, sounded like starter is bad or no compression. Left for another day, floored it and tried took forever but started, would idle fine without misfire but if u take your foot off would die. No codes at all. Pulled camshaft cover, and I am seeing the chain is not lined up based on what I know, also, the tensioner I believe is way out unless am mistaken, need your input on it. Only 94k and a chain stretch? Maybe, not sure. No codes no matter what. Took off intake and HPFP in case its stuck, compression was all 30psi across before I took everything off. Does not make sense, something happened all of. Sudden, don't know If it bent valves or just jumped time, can't see any indications from intake holes.
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Wednesday, January 7th, 2026 AT 2:34 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
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The timing chain looks good so I don't think it jumped, I have seen the wrong weight engine oil hold the lifters up and cause this issue. Did the engine oil get changed recently? Here are the timing marks if you want to double check them. Let me know if the marks are on or not. The chain marks may not line up, just check the marks on the balancer and camshaft gears. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Thursday, January 8th, 2026 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
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I have not changed the oil. It looks black. Ill check the marks again but I know they are off
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Thursday, January 8th, 2026 AT 9:13 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Okay, I don't know if the crankshaft timing chain gear has a keyway so it may have slipped. So if the marks are on check the #1 piston to see if it is at the top of the cylinder bore.
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Thursday, January 8th, 2026 AT 9:38 AM
Tiny
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They have a keyway I have not checked it I will
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Thursday, January 8th, 2026 AT 10:48 AM
Tiny
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Looks fine
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Thursday, January 8th, 2026 AT 11:04 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Sorry, I meant for the timing chain drive gear on the crankshaft. Thanks for the images. Like I say the engine oil can be causing this be not allowing the lifters to adject correctly. They will hold the valves open. Is it 30 psi across all cylinders?
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Friday, January 9th, 2026 AT 9:12 AM
Tiny
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4th plug is stuck so I only measured the 3, and ya all pretty much the same
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Friday, January 9th, 2026 AT 9:18 AM
Tiny
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Ya all pretty much the same
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Friday, January 9th, 2026 AT 9:19 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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At 30 psi the engine should not even run? Is the gauge working correctly?
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Friday, January 9th, 2026 AT 9:21 AM
Tiny
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I have been using the gauge for a while with no issues. At this point everything is apart so not sure if I can redo the compression now with all the coolant, fuel hoses off and intake off and the HPFP off as well as the front timing covers. It ran before I took it apart but without flooring the pedal for 10 seconds it would not start but when it did was not misfiring as I kept constant pressure on the pedal just for it to keep running around 1500 rom and it was smooth, that is why I am doubting any timing, plus there were no codes. Unless the valves bent on exhaust side. With the tensioner being all out am not sure
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Friday, January 9th, 2026 AT 9:27 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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This sounds like an oiling issue to me, once it is back together change the oil and filter out and only install the oil weight to match what is on the oil filter cap of the engine, it matters. I know it seems like it wont, but it does, I have had this happen to me more than once.
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Friday, January 9th, 2026 AT 9:32 AM
Tiny
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I would hate to put everything together now without really knowing what to look for. I am going to try to line up the crank and cams again to see how far it is if any from where it should be. After that I can put the covers back and try. I can try the compression test without the intake and HPFP installed correct?
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Friday, January 9th, 2026 AT 9:35 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
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Ya sorry I had an issue with one of the accounts so I tried the other account. Here are some pictures of the top of cylinders, not sure if you can see any marks at all for the valves. Only thing is that the first cylinder has some scratches from the screwdriver I installed IT to make sure its on TDC.
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Friday, January 9th, 2026 AT 9:43 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
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I son't know this happened, even with the tensioner still on but all the way cant believe it has stretched this much? I dont see anything broken or any gears stripped on the driveshaft gear itself.
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Friday, January 9th, 2026 AT 10:46 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
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And here
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Friday, January 9th, 2026 AT 10:55 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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WOW, that is a worn out chain or the tensioner is not working, good find. I would replace the timing chain kit which should come with a new tensioner and guides, replace them all. Was the engine making noise at idle? It should have been lol. I would try to do a leak down test to make sure none of the valve got bent. Ken
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Saturday, January 10th, 2026 AT 9:00 AM
Tiny
BHAMDOC1
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There was no noise except for that one time when it started and died. Thing is I dont want to put more money in a chain kit to find out engine is done, but then engines are not cheap. Leak down test only requires the tool correct? Intake manifold, vac pump and HPFP need to be put back?
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Saturday, January 10th, 2026 AT 9:39 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Correct, the leak down tester you can rent form Autozone for free and it takes no tools which you can leave the engine as is to do the test.
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Sunday, January 11th, 2026 AT 9:02 AM

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