Buying an audi a3 1.6tdi

[faz777]

Hi,

I am due to go to audi dealership today to pick up my used 2010 Audi A3 Sportback 1.6tdi. I have tried researching about when a cambelt change on these engines is due, but I have not been able to find out. Does anybody know when the cambelt is due to be changed? and if this engine has a cambelt or a timing chain? Thanks

[Guest 2]

I stick to 60k/4yrs. The 1.6 is belt driven.

[faz777]

Would audi change the belt at 60k for me? they have given me 2 free services. and the mileage on the car is on 57k currently. so im assuming they will change the cam belt on one of their free services?

[Guest 2]

They'll change it at the Audi recommended interval which I think is 5yrs/75k.

[faz777]

They told me it is due at 140k miles, this longer change period is due to a new type of cambelt that has been developed so now they last alot long than previous tdi's

[Crasher]

Five years with post 2009 cars. The mileage is almost superfluous as not many people will do that in five years. Watch out for EGR unit failure on those, expensive part and a sod to change.

[faz777]

Oh right, what are the signs? I have a 1 year warranty with Audi anyway. And mine is a 2010 plate model used approved Audi 1.6tdi

[Guest 2]

Glow plug light, flashing glowplug light, limp mode, lack of power.

You have a warranty, drive it and don't worry!

[faz777]

Yeah that's what I am doing. Really do love Audi. Can't beat the comfort and drive of it. Perfect

[alankru]

Just to mention; be aware that if you look to purchase an aftermarket warranty once your Audi warranty has expired, they don't cover the EGR valve clogging (due to carbon buildup, which is what usually happens), even when they declare specific EGR cover. This also applies to the Audi extended warranty as well (which is different to what you have right now).

Also, I have heard that this model's EGR valve clogs due to economical driving - not that this helps an awful lot!

Finally, you are correct regarding the longer schedule for Audi cambelts now (not so sure that it is a "new" type of cambelt though). Back in April/May Audi changed their website to state that the cambelt schedule was now 5 years or the mileage stated in the handbook, whichever is soonest. I confirmed this with Audi UK and it is correct; Audi UK have now brought their cambelt schedule in line with German standards. However, I concur with Crasher, the mileage is so high that the vast majority of drivers will be sticking to the 5 year schedule and I suspect that this change is only of advantage for company cars.

[faz777]

Hmm that's odd lol Eco driving clogs up the egr. I drive sensible. But I do dual carriageway driving 5 days a week so that should make sure it doesn't clog up etc. hopefully

[Crasher]

90K miles of Eco driving did this to a 1.9 TDI T5 van which is the same engine.

Inlet manifold behind EGR valve

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd20/Crasher1964/Blockedinletmanifold_zpsce855545.jpg (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Crasher1964/media/Blockedinletmanifold_zpsce855545.jpg.html)

EGR valve

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd20/Crasher1964/EGRcarbonbuilup_zps5a6896bd.jpg (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Crasher1964/media/EGRcarbonbuilup_zps5a6896bd.jpg.html)

V157 flap BEFORE the EGR valve

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd20/Crasher1964/V157carbonbuild_zpsb81da1c6.jpg (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Crasher1964/media/V157carbonbuild_zpsb81da1c6.jpg.html)

Alkaline dipped inlet manifold and EGR cooler, painted inlet manifold, new EGR valve and V157 flap unit

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd20/Crasher1964/Rebuiltinletmanifold_zps9d04cb4e.jpg (http://s222.photobucket.com/user/Crasher1964/media/Rebuiltinletmanifold_zps9d04cb4e.jpg.html)

[Passatier3]

Bit of a nonsense isn't it when Audi etc. bring out smaller diesels to give greater efficiency/mpg. and when owners drive in a manner to make the greatest use of it they get problems!

Is it with the TT tdI that when the DPF regenerates that fuel gets dumped into the system so effectively reducing the overall mpg?

You have to wonder sometimes at the direction manufacturers are being forced in to comply with emissions/greater efficiency regulations. Results when completing the required tests and in the short-term may be OK but in the real world/longer term the solutions/designs aren't looking too clever and fail to deliver.

[Crasher]

Any TDI with a non SCR DPF (non additive system) dumps fuel in to fry the particles. As you rightly point out, manufacturers are being forced down these routes by government (mainly the EU) that have reduced certain emissions which MAY harm the climate (CO2) but with a massive increase in emissions (PM<10 and the real little beauty, PM<2.5) that DO kill!

[alankru]

(PM<10 and the real little beauty, PM<2.5) that DO kill!
Pardon my ignorance Crasher, but what do you mean by "PM"; what emission is this?

[kite]

PM= particulate matter.

[Passatier3]

Any TDI with a non SCR DPF (non additive system) dumps fuel in to fry the particles. As you rightly point out, manufacturers are being forced down these routes by government (mainly the EU) that have reduced certain emissions which MAY harm the climate (CO2) but with a massive increase in emissions (PM<10 and the real little beauty, PM<2.5) that DO kill!

Those guys really want to take a step back and look at the bigger picture rather than thinking they are clever because they have succeeded in getting some legislation passed that only "improves" a small part of the equation. And sometimes to the detriment of what they are purporting to achieve when viewed as a whole.

Take AdBlue for instance which is having to be introduced by some manufacturers. Of course it's manufacture doesn't have a carbon footprint does it! Of which no account is taken when manufacturers vehicles undergo testing for emissions and mpg.

[Crasher]

You could say that AdBlue is taking the urea......