2006 A4 Avant S-Line Tdi 170 Performance Issues - Please Help!

**crmason** · 14-07-2010,10:04 AM

Hi all,

If anybody can get in touch with a8 tech can they please point him this way for his opinion. The car goes back this evening and diagnostics start in the morning. Im just dreading them trying to say there is nothing wrong and me not having the knowledge to ask them what they need to check!

Many thanks.

**Eshrules** · 14-07-2010,10:35 AM

if you're certain (and further to advice given above) there's something amiss and assuming the car warehouse say there's no fault, get the car to a main dealer. Get them to do a full diagnostic assessment - assuming faults are found, take the vehicle, the report and the bill for it to the car warehouse and insist they remedy the fault.

That said, it wouldn't be in the car warehouse's interest to fob you off.

**a8 tech** · 14-07-2010,06:42 PM

If possible provide the engine ecu part number and software version.

I can check what sw update you have as some move the torque to prevent clutch slip.
mpg is fine and 40 to 44 mpg is common for b7 170 bhp (remember they are heavier than a mark 5 golf).
The turbo range is low down and top end loses its grunt, If fuel quantity and boost is ok I would recommend a remap to move the torque curve to your requirements.
As you are used to the lighter golf which also has differing software I advise you drive a similar 170 a4 and compare.
I can confirm the a3 is more responsive then the b7 a4 so it stands to reason you may be expecting similar performance and have overlooked the weight and ecu settings the b7 170 requires to meet emission regs and optimum mpg for its weight and body style plus gear ratio.

**fourringsrus** · 14-07-2010,08:26 PM

I'd like to add to Crasher and A8's remarks with ,check the cat if you are getting gaseous smells

**crmason** · 15-07-2010,08:21 AM

Originally Posted by a8 tech

If possible provide the engine ecu part number and software version.

I can check what sw update you have as some move the torque to prevent clutch slip.
mpg is fine and 40 to 44 mpg is common for b7 170 bhp (remember they are heavier than a mark 5 golf).
The turbo range is low down and top end loses its grunt, If fuel quantity and boost is ok I would recommend a remap to move the torque curve to your requirements.
As you are used to the lighter golf which also has differing software I advise you drive a similar 170 a4 and compare.
I can confirm the a3 is more responsive then the b7 a4 so it stands to reason you may be expecting similar performance and have overlooked the weight and ecu settings the b7 170 requires to meet emission regs and optimum mpg for its weight and body style plus gear ratio.

Thanks very much for your reply a8 tech. The car is in the garage today so i will post what they come back with. Where would i find the ecu part number and software version?

Thanks again.

**crmason** · 15-07-2010,12:43 PM

Thanks also fourringsrus

UPDATE: Just got off the phone with the garage. They have put a new egr valve on and are now going to conduct further tests. They have offered no reason as to why they have done this. What could cause them to replace the valve? Do they fail or get blocked? I dont even know what they do or where they are lol.

Cheers.

**a8 tech** · 15-07-2010,06:20 PM

they do fail but often there are fault codes or complete lack of power.I suspect the garage has its guessing hat on.
ecu p/n and sw version can be found by vag com or similar
go to address 01 and via vag com and the information will be retrievable

**johnnyishift** · 15-07-2010,08:08 PM

One answer.. get em remapped! The 170s were recalled under warranty to down rate the power, to save clutch and p.d.f. life. I bought one 6 months since and thought it was crap. Had it checked over and nobody could find a thing. Checked the service invoices which came with the car and found one for a software update. I googled the software part number and people reported after having the update done a lack of power.
Spend a few hundred quid for a good quality remap and your car will pull like a train.

**a8 tech** · 15-07-2010,08:14 PM

CORRECT, the sw update moved the torque to prevent the high number of clutch failure which occurred but also the update could be reversed.Remap is the solution but ensure its trusted tuner so you do not suffer premature dpf failure or even ask for dpf off if they can as some do and some don't.

**crmason** · 15-07-2010,10:53 PM

Thanks for the advice on remaps. It is somthing I want to do. Any suggestions for a trusted tuning company in my area? I'm in Norfolk but am willing to travel. Or, will any of the well advertised online companies be ok?