BRD TDi 170 Piezo injectors etc

[bravem01]

I have owned a feb 2007 registered 44000 mile Tdi170 Avant with BRD engine for nearly two trouble free (so far) years and like many on this and other forums have been disturbed by the reports of injector, oil pump and DPF problems with this otherwise superb vehicle which is out of warranty. Should I be concerned or not? The thought of total engine shutdown on the M25 is terrifying. Is this the usual forum problem of only faults being posted or should I seriously consider changing the vehicle. PS I have seen a nice 3 series beemer!

[gaz1965]

I think the injector problem is quite a major issue with the 170s,
i am quite lucky i don't travel on motorways very often, so when i had my injection failure i was able to coast to the side of the road in relative safety if i did more motorway driving i would be very anxious of the immediate engine shutdown.
So for me if i was a motorway driver the 170 would have to go.

[Ghostneo]

I had the same worries after recently purchasing the same tdi 170 and then seeing this forum. It actually stopped me enjoying the car for the first few weeks

Came to the conclusion that I need to enjoy the car and look after it the best I can, if something happens then I'll just have to worry about it then.

I asked a similar question and most people did state that you will not hear from the majority who have no issues. If they have an issue then a forum such as this is there port of call to get help so you will here of these problems reoccurring.

Look at this as a positive, if you do have a problem then you may save a few quid by the help and advice on here

Ian

[mini-mad-matt]

I also have had the worry about it. It particularly concerns me as we only have the one car and my wife drives it mainly, with our 4 yr old and baby in the back as I'm always at work in my van. I have the AA parts cover, but it only covers £500. That would still go a long way though! There are no signs of anything amiss yet, and there are reports on here about strange idling and starting before the dreaded failure. On the other hand, there are also reports of the failure happening with absolutely no clues whatsoever. I've now learnt to just enjoy the car for what it is (absolutely gorgeous) If it happens, it happens, hopefully we can stop safely, and I'll deal with it from there. As a side note, I'm sure I've read a very credible theory that it might have something to with the DPF regeneration, and the ridiculous temperatures that are created. If you give the car a good old thrashing during or straight after the regen, it raises the temp even further and kills the injector. I think that's how the theory went anyway. As a precaution, I always pussyfoot it for a while after a regen.
Hope that helps

[Ghostneo]

How do you know if the DPF is in regen?

[mini-mad-matt]

I can't tell on a motorway, but if I'm just pottering about, the exhaust note changes. If it's idling and I give the throttle a quick blip, it sounds like there's a hole in the back box or the exhaust's blowing. Also I can quite often hear a noise from the exhaust as it's so hot. It's almost like the noise you'd hear from an engine bay of a car that's Just been turned off. Almost a 'tink tink tink' I've also been known to smell the exhaust when it does it. I thought it was my clutch! One last thing, it Sometimes feels like the engine is misfiring at certain revs, and becomes quite difficult to drive. When it is doing it, or straight after, the rear exhaust trims will be very hot. They're normally just warm. Hope all that helps.
MMM

[gaz1965]

I wouldn’t know if mine has regenerated or not
I guess it must have at some stage.

[Adman]

I wouldn’t know if mine has regenerated or not
I guess it must have at some stage.

I think the scheduled regen happens every 200-300km.

[RMH1]

Always best to take the car on a blast up the motorway or dual carriageway for Regen as the exhaust gases get hot enough .

[N HARRISON]

2007 A4 TDI 170, 37K miles - yesterday evening i had the 2nd occurance of this problem on the outside lane of a busy dual carriageway, in rush hour traffic, by luck & judgement i narrowly avoided a serious accident, the car in my opinion is dangerous, have now raised this with VOSA & direct with Audi UK.

Extremely disappointed with this, had good experience with other Audi's owned, then had a Saab 93, which was a very bad move, decided to go back to what i could trust/rely on & am finding that is not backed up by the issues to date with this car