2004 Audi A8 3.0L TDI Quattro - Fuel Injectors - White Smoke from Exhaust

[a8starr]

Hi everyone I am new to the forum.


I bought a 2004 Audi A8 on the 14th of November car seemed perfect. It looked a very good buy with a full service history and a low mileage of 70k.


Its my first Audi and I am really happy with it.


Just over 1 week ago I noticed thick white smoke from the exhaust after start up. I kept the car idling and smoke continued steadily . I revved and loads of smoke piled out.
photo 1.jpgphoto 3.jpgphoto 2.jpg


I drove away concerned and the smoke disappeared after less than 3 minutes. The car appeared to be normal.


I booked it into a local independent garage. They checked the oil and discovered it was much too full so they drained it. They also plugged It into the computer and it came up with only 1 small error on the control head.


After a few days of feeling hopeful the smoke reappeared (See Video below) This time less thick but still white and smelt like oil/diesel.




I have been scanning the forums and it seems like the likely cause is faulty injectors.


Does anyone know what make/model injectors were used in the 2004 Audi a8 3.0 TDI Quattro? I did a bit of research and I think they may be Piezo. Could someone please confirm.


Lastly has anyone experienced failed injectors on a 2004 Audi A8?


I am quite concerned because from what I have read they are very expensive to replace.

Any help/advice would be much appreciated. I am going get Audi to look at it on Wednesday.

[snapdragon]

Yes, your problem will happen to all pre 2007s with this engine eventually (unless something else gets them first).
As you say, they are BOSCH piezo injectors and there are about 15 revisions to the part number as we (the customer) did BOSCH's R&D on the road and at our expense.
I bought new injectors a few weeks ago for £1200 and fitted them last weekend.
The ones I bought are lower price and for later engines, but as the seller states, they worked perfectly for me...
You also need about £70 worth of sundries to fit them.
I bought these...
AUDI EINSPRITZDÃœSE 059130277BD 059130277AH 059130277AB NEU ORIGINAL 059130277BE | eBay

The latest officially endorsed part number suffix for our engines is BD, but these are BE.
Your originals are probably Q, S, AA, maybe AB?
Make sure your new ones begin 059 and not 057.

059 130 277 S 1600 BAR
059 130 277 Q 1600 BAR DROPPED 01/06/2005
059 130 277 AA 1600 BAR DROPPED 01/06/2006
059 130 277 AB 1600 BAR DROPPED 01/09/2006
059 130 277 AH 1600 BAR DROPPED 01/04/2009
059 130 277 AJ 2.7
057 130 277 AK
059 130 277 BA 1600 BAR
059 130 277 BB
059 130 277 BD 1600 BAR Current part since 09 (BMK BNG ASB)

059 130 277 AN 1800 BAR 2007- CASA
059 130 277 AP 1800 BAR 2009-
059 130 277 AR 1800 BAR 2009-
059 130 277 BE 1800 BAR 2009-
059 130 277 BN

059 130 277 AM 2000 BAR 2007- CATA Bluemotion
059 130 277 CC 2000 BAR
059 130 277 CD 2000 BAR
059 130 277 CJ

6 o-rings WHT000884 (came with my new injectors but doesn't from Audi/BOSCH direct)
6 x clamp: 059130216C (essential to prevent leaks)
6 x copper sealing ring: 059130519 (came with my new injectors)
12x Shouldered Nut: N90446502 (might as well replace these as if they come undone, they fall into engine)


Also see this thread...
A6/C6 injector PROBLEM - Replacement/refurbished injectors possible?

[a8starr]

Snapdragon, thank you so much for your informative response.

Have Audi admitted to this injector issue for Pre 2007 cars? I have the car booked in for thursday evening. They suggest me leaving it with them overnight so they can do a cold start.

They are going to run a diagnostic for £138 ex VAT then tell me whats wrong.

Should I cancel and get an independent to look at it rather than AUDI.

If Audi say I need new injectors how do i know that the replacement injectors they install will be less prone to failure? Same question for indi garage.

Does anyone know if any extended car warranties cover injector failure?

[Hex69]

A thought, where did you purchase the car from? Dealer/Privately? If from a dealer, you should return it for them to sort it out at their expense, as the issue was present at sale.

[a8starr]

A thought, where did you purchase the car from? Dealer/Privately? If from a dealer, you should return it for them to sort it out at their expense, as the issue was present at sale.

It was a private sale. Car seemed perfect upon viewing and during test drive. Did not smoke once! It may not be the injectors but at the moment it's with Cardiff Audi overnight to get checked out from a cold start. It will be interesting to hear what they say tomorrow.

The car has only done 70k miles. I will be upset if it turns out to be the injectors and if Audi expect me to pay for everything especially when it seems to be a common fault for A8's from 2004-2007. If my car had 120k miles on the clock my expectations for its longevity would be a bit different.

Am I right in saying some A8 owners had their injectors fail having done even less mileage than 70k?

[a8starr]

Update.

Got a call from Audi this morning. All 6 injectors are faulty and need replacing.

Cost of all 6 injectors including labour and VAT £2900
2 Glow plugs are also faulty and will cost around £270

​OUCH!

[EG-4.0TDI]

Ouch - I feel your pain. That's a shocker...

If the car has a full Audi service history, it might be worth your while asking very nicely for goodwill on this. Your car is over the age limit BUT there is some discretion and it has not been unheard of for Audi UK to offer a parts discount equal to whatever the service centre is prepared to offer on the labour element. Given there's not much labour involved, it might be worth asking your service advisor what they can do - ie a large percentage labour discount would be a small amount lost to your service centre (a loyalty discount if you will) but the same percentage discount applied to the parts from Audi UK would make a big difference...

Given you own an A8, you're going to be on first name terms with them for the next few years anyway so you might as well start out on the right foot!

Good luck and hope it works out for you.

[a8starr]

They are offering 10% off the bill which is good I think.

[a8starr]

Given you own an A8, you're going to be on first name terms with them for the next few years anyway so you might as well start out on the right foot!
.

Why would owning a 2004 A8 put me on first name terms? Potential future A8 owner?

[EG-4.0TDI]

I'd be going for more like 50% if I were you: (1) it's a known problem, (2) it's only done 70k, (3) you are aspiring to a long and healthy relationship with Audi and don't want it marred this early into your ownership experience of what it supposed to be their flagship product.

I was being a little flippant - no particular reason why a 2004 A8 would put you on first name terms as such. My main point is they if they go wrong they are complicated/expensive to fix - hence if you own the vehicle for a while there is a better than average chance this won't be your only trip to the main dealer to get something sorted.