Audi A3 2.0FSI starting issues / poor MPG

[J_Solihull]

Forgive me for asking for help with such a low post count, but I know there are some very knowledgeable guys on this forum, and I'm asking at short notice before the car goes into the garage tomorrow.

I have a 2003/53 plate Audi A3, 2.0FSI petrol S-Line, manual, and I’m having a few issues with it.

Over the past week its struggling to start & the MPG is suddenly really poor. Its starts first time in the morning, but if I try to start it after driving it, it never wants to start.

For example, it starts first time in the morning, I drive it 10mins to my office, park it, and if I turn the ignition off then try to restart it, the engine turns overs but it takes 2 or 3 attempts for it to actually start.

The same applies when getting petrol, it starts & drives fine to the petrol station, I turn the ignition off to fill it with petrol, and then try to re-start it to drive away & it takes a number of attempts.

I’ve also noticed the MPG is now really poor, it’s always been 34/35ish but now its only 25ish so I’m thinking this maybe somehow related?

Any help or suggestions are appreciated; I just want to have some kind of idea what it could be before the garage has it in.

Thanks,
James

[kenney]

A fault code read might show ,the problem,but the symptoms are typical of a faulty temp sensor

[J_Solihull]

A fault code read might show ,the problem,but the symptoms are typical of a faulty temp sensor

Kenney, thanks.

Where is this temp sensor? Is it typically a case of replacing the sensor and clearing the codes? Or can the sensor be cleaned & the issues are solved?

There are no light on the dash, does this mean there are no codes logged? Or is it possible a code could be logged but show no lights on the dash?

Thanks again.

[kenney]

The sensor must be replaced,it does not always show up on a diagnosis,need your engine code to point you in the right direction

[J_Solihull]

The sensor must be replaced,it does not always show up on a diagnosis,need your engine code to point you in the right direction

Thanks.

If i'm understanding the paperwork correctly, engine code is: AXW

Any idea on the price of this temp sensor?

Thanks,
James

[kenney]

The sensor is to the rear of the cyl head on the plastic housing,about £20

[Pete@ECSTuning]

These problems are also similar to a failing cam follower or thrust sensor.

The cam follower is easy to inspect as you can visibly see the wear on a cam follower and it is a pretty well known failure point in the FSI motors.

You should try to find someone with a Vag as these codes may not be causing a CEL to appear but are still stored in your computer.