Audi A6 C5 estate 1.9TDi - Common problems to look for?
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm looking at getting an Audi A6 C5 model 1.9tdi Avant and just wondered if there are any common issues I should be looking for? The car has had a timing belt kit at 100k apparently (now on 130k) and has FSH, but beyond this the owner doesn't seem to know what, if any, work has been carried out.
THanks in advance
I'm looking at getting an Audi A6 C5 model 1.9tdi Avant and just wondered if there are any common issues I should be looking for? The car has had a timing belt kit at 100k apparently (now on 130k) and has FSH, but beyond this the owner doesn't seem to know what, if any, work has been carried out.
THanks in advance
As with all the VAG group cars based on this chassis, one of the main issues was the area the battery is located in under the bonnet.
Under the battery there are 2 drain points for the water coming off the windscreen. When they clog up the area floods and water gets into the cabin via the pollen filter area on the passenger side (its up near the bottom of the windscreen)
If this happens the module which controls electric windows, remote unlocking, interior lights etc gets wet as its sat under the carpet under the passenger side seat and it starts playing up.
Check the area for water under the bonnet, also wet carpets and all the electric operations.
Also the front suspension is a weird design and uses alloy bolts through metal parts which corrode and seize. So make sure theres no clonks and knocks from the front suspension as fixing them can be a pain.
The 1.9tdi engine is a bit noisey, but pokey and as long as the oil is the correct grade and changed regularly the engine should last another 100k (in our family we have 3 1.9tdi's all aporaching 200k)
Look for turbo whine, overly noisey engines, and anything putting out lots of coloured smoke. A bit of black isn't too bad when booting it.
Vac pipes can fail, so can the clutch on the alternator, and the aux belt tensioner like to start getting noisy and then fail. But all are easy and cheap to sort.
overall a big, comfy estate with good mpg and should last another 100k
Under the battery there are 2 drain points for the water coming off the windscreen. When they clog up the area floods and water gets into the cabin via the pollen filter area on the passenger side (its up near the bottom of the windscreen)
If this happens the module which controls electric windows, remote unlocking, interior lights etc gets wet as its sat under the carpet under the passenger side seat and it starts playing up.
Check the area for water under the bonnet, also wet carpets and all the electric operations.
Also the front suspension is a weird design and uses alloy bolts through metal parts which corrode and seize. So make sure theres no clonks and knocks from the front suspension as fixing them can be a pain.
The 1.9tdi engine is a bit noisey, but pokey and as long as the oil is the correct grade and changed regularly the engine should last another 100k (in our family we have 3 1.9tdi's all aporaching 200k)
Look for turbo whine, overly noisey engines, and anything putting out lots of coloured smoke. A bit of black isn't too bad when booting it.
Vac pipes can fail, so can the clutch on the alternator, and the aux belt tensioner like to start getting noisy and then fail. But all are easy and cheap to sort.
overall a big, comfy estate with good mpg and should last another 100k
I've just bought one. A few small problems it came with ( it had been sat over a year and I got it for cheap ):
Drivers side window cable had snapped, £20 and an hour or so to fix.
Rust on the underside of the doors, instead of letting water draining through the proper drain holes and away from the car, it can put water in places it shouldn't be. Easy to fix although it won't really cause any issues.
Turbo can be whiny and stick, just spray it, boot it now and again and loosen it with your hands if it gets bad. Other than that, which can be sorted fairly easily, the turbos are fairly solid I think.
The brake servo or whatever can also leak due to water ingress. Basically if you start the engine, press the brake pedal in and out a few times they become "solid" with no air assist, after 10 seconds or so, the air builds back up and you have normal brakes again. Easy/Cheap fix but chewy to do on your own. Won't fail an MOT though and it's fine.
Great car though, engines really are solid especially if AVF engine code, clutch is also solid.
Drivers side window cable had snapped, £20 and an hour or so to fix.
Rust on the underside of the doors, instead of letting water draining through the proper drain holes and away from the car, it can put water in places it shouldn't be. Easy to fix although it won't really cause any issues.
Turbo can be whiny and stick, just spray it, boot it now and again and loosen it with your hands if it gets bad. Other than that, which can be sorted fairly easily, the turbos are fairly solid I think.
The brake servo or whatever can also leak due to water ingress. Basically if you start the engine, press the brake pedal in and out a few times they become "solid" with no air assist, after 10 seconds or so, the air builds back up and you have normal brakes again. Easy/Cheap fix but chewy to do on your own. Won't fail an MOT though and it's fine.
Great car though, engines really are solid especially if AVF engine code, clutch is also solid.
I have just bought a 2005 a6 Allroad, touch wood everything is working as it should, the previous owner had spent a small fortune in the 5 years he had owned it. Mine is on 120k, but I bought on condition and history. The interior does not look like it has been over worked, from the service history and OBC it seems that it will want some kind of service every 12 months. Does anyone know if these like an oil change once a year? Do the 1.9 and 2.5 basically share the same components and issues? Thanks Lewis
I have just bought a 2005 a6 Allroad, touch wood everything is working as it should, the previous owner had spent a small fortune in the 5 years he had owned it. Mine is on 120k, but I bought on condition and history. The interior does not look like it has been over worked, from the service history and OBC it seems that it will want some kind of service every 12 months. Does anyone know if these like an oil change once a year? Do the 1.9 and 2.5 basically share the same components and issues? Thanks Lewis
HiAsAKite said:
I have a C5 A6 2.7T (petrol V6 twin turbo) - fantastic car, going strong on 188K (bought it on 92K).. just remember stuff will wear out,and costs to replace, but this is part a parcel of an old car
Just over 240k on my C5 A6 2.7T and it's been a great car. I'll certainly not go back to an A4 after experiencing the benefits of the A6 
I can't imagine that the 1.9TDi is going to win any races, but as far as space, comfort, safety and reliability are concerned it should be up there with the best of them. If you want big fuel bills and stonking midrange power, buy a 2.7T!
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