Back to the A4 TDI Avant

[pg20]

After a couple of years I've returned to the good old Audi A4 Avant TDi. I picked up a 2001 1.9 TDi Avant with 220,000 on the clock! Only paid £1650 for it in the end and it's got the pd engine. It's in great condition, has a full s/h, pulls like a train, doesn't smoke and I love it. Couple of issues though
1. High clutch action on pedle, is this normal?
2. It requires a service and not sure if I should try the audi fixed price service @ £249? Local dealer is Newbury audi, anybody got any feedback on them?
3. Get an occasional whiff of diesel from engine bay area, it's not leaking any fuel that I can see from a visual inspection of the engine bay. Should I be worried??
BTW I'm not put off by high mileage, my last one was a 1996 Avant with 230K on and it never missed a beat.
Cheers and it's good to be back!:biglaugh:

[spartacus 68]

After a couple of years I've returned to the good old Audi A4 Avant TDi. I picked up a 2001 1.9 TDi Avant with 220,000 on the clock! Only paid £1650 for it in the end and it's got the pd engine. It's in great condition, has a full s/h, pulls like a train, doesn't smoke and I love it. Couple of issues though
1. High clutch action on pedle, is this normal?
2. It requires a service and not sure if I should try the audi fixed price service @ £249? Local dealer is Newbury audi, anybody got any feedback on them?
3. Get an occasional whiff of diesel from engine bay area, it's not leaking any fuel that I can see from a visual inspection of the engine bay. Should I be worried??
BTW I'm not put off by high mileage, my last one was a 1996 Avant with 230K on and it never missed a beat.
Cheers and it's good to be back!:biglaugh:

Glad you've come back to Audi.;)

220k on the clock... that's nothing. My old 80 Avant TDi (1Z engine had 175k) and can honestly say the gearbox was as tight as the day I bought it. They'll run regardless with a little TLC.

Back to your questions.
1/ High clutch biting-point could be the clutch itself. You could try pulling away from standstill in 3rd gear. If it stalls, then it may be a sign the clutch is on the way out. However at this age and mileage, I'd carry on and see if any other symptoms arise.

2/ The fixed-price service is okay. You could perform a service yourself if you're mechanically minded which is a good way to familiarise yourself with the car. Change the oil, oil filter, pollen filter, fuel filter (remember and top it up with fresh diesel), air filter (good opportunity to fit K&N oiled filter) for improved efficiency. Check power steering fluid (uses G12 mineral fluid), coolant, etc. When were glow plugs last changed? You'll need 4 of them. Fit Bosch. Use OEM parts and a quality synthetic oil (for PD engine), etc.

3/ An occasional whiff of diesel could be a few things. Pop the bonnet open and look for the obvious things first. At this age and mileage it's not uncommon for the braided rubber return fuel hoses between the injectors to deteriorate, fuel filter, around the pump, etc. Hopefully it's not the pump, otherwise it's an expensive repair.

[pg20]

Thanks for the reply

I was going to give it a service myself but thought I might do the interim service myself and let Audi do the major one. Will let you know how I get on with it

I'll try the 3rd gear pull away to see how the clutch gets on. If it needs a new one what sort of price would I be looking at?

Have a trip to Cornwall planned this weekend so I'll let you know how I get on with the drive

[pg20]

Booked into Newbury Audi for a full service tomorrow morning. Will let you know how I get on!

[delta925]

My 2000 A4 Avant 1.9tdi 115ps has just half the milage of yours at 112k.

I bought at around 74k. From the start the clutch pedal was quite heavy, had very little free play and has to be half way up before clutch stars to bite.
This has not changed so I would not worry if no slip, judder or noises.

Apparently expensive to change significant dismantling plus flywheel needs to be replaced too.
From what I have read flywheel and/or clutch fingers often give up before friction material is worn out.

[pg20]

As promised an update following my first service at Newbury Audi. Have to say very impressed with general level of customer service. Was given a courtesy car (A3 1.6 Tdi s line).
Service cost £269 without pollen filter which was another £40. Did have a couple of things come up most v minor but they did mention I had a leaky egr valve. Not entirely sure what this is but will have a search on here and find out. They fixed the diesel smell by replacing a seal on one of the fuel line which had perished for no extra cost. All in all good value and a bit of piece of mind to get the pros look at it. Don't think I will take it there for interim service as oil service is easy for me to do.
Off to Cornwall tomorrow afternoon so will let you know how it goes on a long run

[pg20]

Just returned from Cornwall, a 550 mile round trip. Managed to average 53.2 mpg at between 70-80 mph. Main issue I have are the headlights which are terrible on low beam and I mean really terrible! Any hints on how to adjust them?

[spartacus 68]

Check power steering fluid (uses G12 mineral fluid), coolant, etc.

Need to correct myself here. Coolant is G12. The power-steering is G002 000 mineral fluid.:D

[delta925]

Just returned from Cornwall, a 550 mile round trip. Managed to average 53.2 mpg at between 70-80 mph. Main issue I have are the headlights which are terrible on low beam and I mean really terrible! Any hints on how to adjust them?

Pleased you had a good run and no problems.

MPG is what I would expect.
It is most economical car I have ever owned despite being the largest, heaviest and most powerful too.

As to headlights has someone (accidentally) set the control that adjusts the dipped beam to the lowest position intended for a heavy load? Normal position is 0 on the dial. Regardless check that the control moves them as they could be stuck in lowest position.
If all seems correct check correct bulbs fitted or maybe change anyway then catch a local small MOT test station at a quiet time and slip them a few £ to check and adjust if necessary.