A4 2005 a4 balance shaft

**CRAIGO111** · 08-10-2009,09:27 PM

Hi Everyone

Yet another problem with the car I wish I'd never bought and this time its a big one.

I am told that I have a balance shaft problem with my 2005 2.0 tdi.I don't suppose anyone has heard if these were ever recalled or is that wishful thinking?

Also has anyone had this problem rectified recently and can give me a cost better than the £2600 I have been quoted by Audi.

Thanks in advance.....

**Alan02** · 09-10-2009,02:56 PM

Hi Craig,oh dear! I`ve a 2lt TDI too.This has been discussed previously.A common problem it seems.I have been told my engine code has a later design and hopefully shouldn`t be prone to this problem,i hope!!Its a BRE jan.`06. Someone on here should be able to help re: prices/experiences of this problem.

**jwhat** · 12-10-2009,11:36 PM

What symptoms did the car have before it was diagnosed? And what kind of millage did it have? I have a blb engine and i think i'll have to start a savings account for it!

**CRAIGO111** · 13-10-2009,10:02 AM

Originally Posted by jwhat

What symptoms did the car have before it was diagnosed? And what kind of millage did it have? I have a blb engine and i think i'll have to start a savings account for it!

The engine is loud.Difficult to describe but almost like a generator(although not as loud) over the top of normal engine noise.I havent had it confirmed yet which may prove difficult due to the engine needing to come out to be 100%. It has 82k on it and has just passed MOT so is Oct 2005 modelStill in shock to be honest and not long after replacing the air con compressor.......

**Alan02** · 14-10-2009,02:23 AM

Have you had the Compressor checked out incase it has another problem?? Worth a try before condeming the engine!

**Clueless1** · 15-10-2009,10:29 PM

Well seems like I'm not alone with the balance shaft problem. My Audi A4 2.0 TDI (2005 model) broke down last Thursday only had it 2 months (ouch!!!).

Symptoms: Oil pressure light on, loss of power followed by smoke from the exhaust, and a noise from the engine.

Diagnosed as a worn hex drive shaft which links the oil pump to the balance shaft assembly. (see attached pics - credit to TDISYNCRO - TDICLUB)

The local garage i took it too stripped down the balance shaft assembly as they suspected the oil pump, since then I've learned that the hex shaft was the cause of the problem. Due to a poor fit in the balance shaft assembly there is room for excess movement utimately leading to wear over time. The car has only has 67k on the clock. The worn hex shaft has also worn the balance shaft insertion hole which now means that a £4 shaft has resulted in the full balance shaft having to be replaced.

But if life were only that simple........Audi have advised that the balance shaft assembly for this model is no longer available and that a modified part has now been produced, surprise surprise. To install the new assembly a conversion is required which requires further work and more ££££££££'s.

Audi advised that the repair cost would be in the region of £1750 inc VAT.

Now for the real sting in the tail !!!! When the hex shaft failed and stopped the oil pump it has also caused the turbo to seize and yes you guessed it a new turbo is required.

Never in my wildest dreams did i imagine that buying an Audi could be so expensive. A £4 shaft failure has resulted in a potential repair bill of approx £2500.

Anyone want to buy an 2005 A4 2.0 TDI for the price of rope tied in the shape of a noose.

Perhaps we should all consider taking this further, Audi have clearly produce a product which is prone to failure, why should anyone be expected to spend so much money on a car in the first place to find that they will have to fork out an exorbitant amount of money in the future just to keep the car running.

I my opinion this is unreasonable, has anyone had any response from Audi about this?

**CRAIGO111** · 16-10-2009,11:18 AM

Thanks for your reply.I am sorry you have have had such a crap time with your A4.Did you have any symptoms such as the noise I described earlier prior to the car breaking down? I am dreading this happening ......

**Clueless1** · 16-10-2009,10:19 PM

The only noise I had was due to the failure of the hex shaft and turbo and as I said earlier smoke from the exhaust. Sounds like you may have a different problem. I suspect in the long rung it would be worth considering the modification to the balance shaft assembly if you intend to keep the car.

**jwhat** · 17-10-2009,04:00 PM

I think i'll have to start saving, no more mods for a while

**the surfer** · 17-10-2009,04:36 PM

I just thought I'd give a link to a very similar issue I've seen on here recently: https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ad.php?t=80288

I've also read loads of other horror stories relating to balance shaft and oil pump issues on 2.0 TDIs. Unfortunately, this does seem quite common. Very worrying for me too, as I own one myself!

I think it's something that VW and Audi should be held responsible for, as you'll notice in my comments on the linked thread. VAG obviously know the balance shaft was poorly designed/manufactured or they wouldn't have revised the part and made the 'old' design unavailable!