A3 turbo and oil pump failure

[weiss]

I have owned a 54 reg A3 2.0TDI for 3 years without any problems. Audi serviced until last bill was almost £1,000 for a standard time elapse service.

2 weeks after independent garage (very well respected in the area) service, a new radiator was required.

3 weeks after the new radiator, the turbo failed completely (all engine oil lost) on the motorway.

2 weeks after the new turbo (not an Audi part - too expensive but ironically less than the cost of a new engine!), the oil pump exploded, again on the motorway with all engine oil lost.

Have heard that the oil feed line should be replaced when the turbo is replaced and that Audi will only sell a new turbo with the feed line. Is that correct?

Any thoughts?

Regards

Nigel

[Issac Hunt]

Its certainly good practice to replace the oil line when the turbo is changed.

I'm not sure what the offical Aud policy is, try calling a dealer to ask....

[the surfer]

Oil pump failure seems to be very common on the 2.0 TDi engines....

Almost always with catastrophic consequences! In my opinion, VAG should be held responsible for this, regardless of warranty, as it's either poor design and/or manufacturing causing this. There is clearly a fault somewhere, thus making these cars (legal term) not fit-for-purpose.

What's the point in paying a premium for a 'good' car when the engine and turbo go bang well before their time!?

[Crasher]

Don’t be daft, the car is five years old man-how long do you think a warranty should be? It used to be 365 days and that was it, three years now! Get real!

[the surfer]

Don’t be daft, the car is five years old man-how long do you think a warranty should be? It used to be 365 days and that was it, three years now! Get real!

Crasher, I'm not saying the warranty should be longer! I just think that for a problem as large as this, it's not fair to the consumers (us) that we should have to fork out thousands of pounds to put right a fault that is in VW/Audis hands.

Look at it this way, my car is now four years old, just hit 50k, I do less than 10k miles a year. If my oil pump fails at, say, 60k or 70k, still fairly low mileage, my car could be 5 or 6 years old. It's been looked after very well, FSH by a main VW dealer with all stamps to prove. Clearly there is an inherent issue with the product if this happens, regardless of how old the car is.

Don't get me wrong, I love VAG cars and wouldn't wish to own anything else. It does beg the question, though: why do we pay a premium for what should be a reliable car (if properly maintained), if it prematurely fails so catastrophically!?