A4 2.0 TDI 170 rough Idle and white smoke when warming up
Discussion
Hi Guys, I'm a newbie but have been following threads for some time. Now I have an annoying issue with my car, I thought I would cast my web and see if anyone can point me in the right direction.
I have read many similar threads regarding this, but none of then are exactly the same as I'm experiencing.
My 57plate A4 2.0 TDI 170 has in the last 8 months started to get really lumpy on idle when warming up. When you first start the car cold, it's smooth, when the car has warmed just a little it's very choppy. It's always been a little rough when cold but this seems noticeably worse.
I could live with that, if that's all it was, however as the engine starts playing around it also starts puffing white smoke. you can see it licking over the boot and when I accelerate it covers the car behind.
Now I must be clear this only happens when the car is warming up, from cold it's fine and at temp no juddering and no smoke at idle.
I have had the car back to the dealer for the injector recall, I asked them to have a look. But they weren't really very helpful. To be honest I got the feeling they hadn't even looked.
I don't know if this is connected but I only noticed this after I had my Cambelt changed. I did speak to the indy who did the work, thinking that it maybe timing issues, but he told me if it was just a little bit out it would run rough regardless cold, warm or hot and that's not happening. It's due for a service in the next month so it would be good if I had some things I could get them to check while its in.
Thanks and I appreciate any help that you guys can give me.
I have read many similar threads regarding this, but none of then are exactly the same as I'm experiencing.
My 57plate A4 2.0 TDI 170 has in the last 8 months started to get really lumpy on idle when warming up. When you first start the car cold, it's smooth, when the car has warmed just a little it's very choppy. It's always been a little rough when cold but this seems noticeably worse.
I could live with that, if that's all it was, however as the engine starts playing around it also starts puffing white smoke. you can see it licking over the boot and when I accelerate it covers the car behind.
Now I must be clear this only happens when the car is warming up, from cold it's fine and at temp no juddering and no smoke at idle.
I have had the car back to the dealer for the injector recall, I asked them to have a look. But they weren't really very helpful. To be honest I got the feeling they hadn't even looked.
I don't know if this is connected but I only noticed this after I had my Cambelt changed. I did speak to the indy who did the work, thinking that it maybe timing issues, but he told me if it was just a little bit out it would run rough regardless cold, warm or hot and that's not happening. It's due for a service in the next month so it would be good if I had some things I could get them to check while its in.
Thanks and I appreciate any help that you guys can give me.
kieffyt said:
Hi Guys, I'm a newbie but have been following threads for some time. Now I have an annoying issue with my car, I thought I would cast my web and see if anyone can point me in the right direction.
I have read many similar threads regarding this, but none of then are exactly the same as I'm experiencing.
My 57plate A4 2.0 TDI 170 has in the last 8 months started to get really lumpy on idle when warming up. When you first start the car cold, it's smooth, when the car has warmed just a little it's very choppy. It's always been a little rough when cold but this seems noticeably worse.
I could live with that, if that's all it was, however as the engine starts playing around it also starts puffing white smoke. you can see it licking over the boot and when I accelerate it covers the car behind.
Now I must be clear this only happens when the car is warming up, from cold it's fine and at temp no juddering and no smoke at idle.
I have had the car back to the dealer for the injector recall, I asked them to have a look. But they weren't really very helpful. To be honest I got the feeling they hadn't even looked.
I don't know if this is connected but I only noticed this after I had my Cambelt changed. I did speak to the indy who did the work, thinking that it maybe timing issues, but he told me if it was just a little bit out it would run rough regardless cold, warm or hot and that's not happening. It's due for a service in the next month so it would be good if I had some things I could get them to check while its in.
Thanks and I appreciate any help that you guys can give me.
I have exactly the same problem on my 07 tdi. I had the cambelt changed at my local Indy and Audi did the injectors a few days after. I reckon it's started after the injector recall. My gut feeling is the injector timing is slightly out when cold. The Indy that did the belt is adamant that the timing is spot on, he showed me all the locking pins etc he uses. I kind of agree with him but have realised he doesn't have vcds to checking the timing. When the car is warm is drives very well and fuel economy is pretty good. I'd love to know the answer.I have read many similar threads regarding this, but none of then are exactly the same as I'm experiencing.
My 57plate A4 2.0 TDI 170 has in the last 8 months started to get really lumpy on idle when warming up. When you first start the car cold, it's smooth, when the car has warmed just a little it's very choppy. It's always been a little rough when cold but this seems noticeably worse.
I could live with that, if that's all it was, however as the engine starts playing around it also starts puffing white smoke. you can see it licking over the boot and when I accelerate it covers the car behind.
Now I must be clear this only happens when the car is warming up, from cold it's fine and at temp no juddering and no smoke at idle.
I have had the car back to the dealer for the injector recall, I asked them to have a look. But they weren't really very helpful. To be honest I got the feeling they hadn't even looked.
I don't know if this is connected but I only noticed this after I had my Cambelt changed. I did speak to the indy who did the work, thinking that it maybe timing issues, but he told me if it was just a little bit out it would run rough regardless cold, warm or hot and that's not happening. It's due for a service in the next month so it would be good if I had some things I could get them to check while its in.
Thanks and I appreciate any help that you guys can give me.
I have exactly the same, have either of you sorted yours out?
The garage I use has been great in trying to diagnose, having spent hours but the only fault code coming up is the MAF which the mechanic swapped out for a new one and didn't make any difference.
They have changed two injectors which where not working properly (down on resistance I think), cleaned the intake manifold, egr etc.
I do have oil getting into my fuel system somehow, which he thinks might be due to the fuel pump but we are holding off replacing that at the moment.
He's also done a compression test which is showing fine.
HELP!
The garage I use has been great in trying to diagnose, having spent hours but the only fault code coming up is the MAF which the mechanic swapped out for a new one and didn't make any difference.
They have changed two injectors which where not working properly (down on resistance I think), cleaned the intake manifold, egr etc.
I do have oil getting into my fuel system somehow, which he thinks might be due to the fuel pump but we are holding off replacing that at the moment.
He's also done a compression test which is showing fine.
HELP!
Hi sorry for not getting back sooner.
No still no closer to finding a solution. I don't fancy paying the money to check that timing is out unless I know for sure that's what it is.
I saw the other post where the guy seems to have the same problem and may have something to do with timing but nobody has confirmed that's what it is.
Have you managed to get yours sorted? Would love to know the answer, I can't believe that there is nobody out there that has not managed to pin point what this is!
No still no closer to finding a solution. I don't fancy paying the money to check that timing is out unless I know for sure that's what it is.
I saw the other post where the guy seems to have the same problem and may have something to do with timing but nobody has confirmed that's what it is.
Have you managed to get yours sorted? Would love to know the answer, I can't believe that there is nobody out there that has not managed to pin point what this is!
Hi sorry for not getting back sooner.
No still no closer to finding a solution. I don't fancy paying the money to check that timing is out unless I know for sure that's what it is.
I saw the other post where the guy seems to have the same problem and may have something to do with timing but nobody has confirmed that's what it is.
Have you managed to get yours sorted? Would love to know the answer, I can't believe that there is nobody out there that has not managed to pin point what this is!
No still no closer to finding a solution. I don't fancy paying the money to check that timing is out unless I know for sure that's what it is.
I saw the other post where the guy seems to have the same problem and may have something to do with timing but nobody has confirmed that's what it is.
Have you managed to get yours sorted? Would love to know the answer, I can't believe that there is nobody out there that has not managed to pin point what this is!
Hi,
I have just fixed this problem and I had IDENTICAL issues. Car would be fine when cold or fully warm, but if I stopped at traffic lights while the car was about half warm the white smoke would bellow out the back along with a lumpy idle. I purchased the car in 2010 and the garage did a timing belt change as part of the sale. Since them I've had it looked at by 2 indy garages who couldn't find the fault. Changed the EGR valve, had injectors tested. No good!
Now in the last few weeks I had the dreaded oil pump 'gear' problem that affects BRE/BRD engines. This time I took it to an independent Audi specialist who I had a good experience with a number of years ago on another car. They put in a new oil pump drive mechanism but recommended doing the timing belt and water pump again since everything was out. Voila! No more smoke and car idles perfectly since. When I asked they confirmed that the timing being wrong would cause this problem. Interestingly my fuel consumption has gone up now getting 42-43 instead of 45+ but at least no more smoke! I think you need your timing looked at. By the way my car drives far better too, the power band is smoother and it pulls stronger in 3rd and 4th.
I have just fixed this problem and I had IDENTICAL issues. Car would be fine when cold or fully warm, but if I stopped at traffic lights while the car was about half warm the white smoke would bellow out the back along with a lumpy idle. I purchased the car in 2010 and the garage did a timing belt change as part of the sale. Since them I've had it looked at by 2 indy garages who couldn't find the fault. Changed the EGR valve, had injectors tested. No good!
Now in the last few weeks I had the dreaded oil pump 'gear' problem that affects BRE/BRD engines. This time I took it to an independent Audi specialist who I had a good experience with a number of years ago on another car. They put in a new oil pump drive mechanism but recommended doing the timing belt and water pump again since everything was out. Voila! No more smoke and car idles perfectly since. When I asked they confirmed that the timing being wrong would cause this problem. Interestingly my fuel consumption has gone up now getting 42-43 instead of 45+ but at least no more smoke! I think you need your timing looked at. By the way my car drives far better too, the power band is smoother and it pulls stronger in 3rd and 4th.
could be anything from timing out slightly to a porous cylinder head, i repaired an A6 BRE engine code think it was 08 reg, that had porus head, they ignored it for a while, it was leaking coolant into cylinders + oil overnight, ended up needing head, turbo, DPF and so on...
Get it into a specialist asap for checking out.
Get it into a specialist asap for checking out.
Hi guys I have the exact same problem right now, I've had a new timing belt fitted recently then noticed the smoke, I took the car back to the garage saying I thought the timing was out so they checked it and it was perfect, I then took it to another garage as I was still unsure and they confirmed it was correct, next I had the egr valve cleaned out but still no different and today I've had the injectors tested and all found to be working correctly, I'm now at a loose end and unsure which way to go now. Any help appreciated mark
Edited by mark81brown on Wednesday 17th October 21:42
Hi guys, ok another issue has turned up with surprising out come. Strange ticking sound started and the the car become really lumpy. It was intermittent but this slowly became constant so the garage was able to diagnose this as the egr valve. Unfortunately it was to late for them to get a replacement so they have just disconnected for now. Ok the engine light is on but....... no rough idle and no smoke!!!
I would say if you guys are still having this problem ask your garage to clean it out or if you know your way round a socket set, give it a go yourself, seems worth doing anyway i know a few people that have had problems with this pointless addition to the engine bay. May be worth disconnecting first just to see if it stops problem.
Once I get the new part fitted I'll let you know if it has done the trick for good.
Thank you all for you input!
I would say if you guys are still having this problem ask your garage to clean it out or if you know your way round a socket set, give it a go yourself, seems worth doing anyway i know a few people that have had problems with this pointless addition to the engine bay. May be worth disconnecting first just to see if it stops problem.
Once I get the new part fitted I'll let you know if it has done the trick for good.
Thank you all for you input!
Hi guys, ok another issue has turned up with surprising out come. Strange ticking sound started and the the car become really lumpy. It was intermittent but this slowly became constant so the garage was able to diagnose this as the egr valve. Unfortunately it was to late for them to get a replacement so they have just disconnected for now. Ok the engine light is on but....... no rough idle and no smoke!!!
I would say if you guys are still having this problem ask your garage to clean it out or if you know your way round a socket set, give it a go yourself, seems worth doing anyway i know a few people that have had problems with this pointless addition to the engine bay. May be worth disconnecting first just to see if it stops problem.
Once I get the new part fitted I'll let you know if it has done the trick for good.
Thank you all for you input!
I would say if you guys are still having this problem ask your garage to clean it out or if you know your way round a socket set, give it a go yourself, seems worth doing anyway i know a few people that have had problems with this pointless addition to the engine bay. May be worth disconnecting first just to see if it stops problem.
Once I get the new part fitted I'll let you know if it has done the trick for good.
Thank you all for you input!
Hi Guys, I also have the exact same probem on my 170 - started straight after timing belt change by indi. "specialist" took it back twice and they say the timing is bang on. Took it to audi who said there was too much oil in fuel and needed tandem pump changed and injectors cleaned at £1500!!!! I was sceptical that this had anything to do with the problem due to the way it started so ended up buying the pump (£337) and fitted myself. Injectors were only 6 months old (replaced after recall). No change. Also took EGR valve out - very clogged but still turned ok so cleaned it out anyway and refitted. No change.
Anyone else solved the problem - what did the tuning company do to fix it?
Anyone else solved the problem - what did the tuning company do to fix it?
Hi,
They adjusted the cam timing.
The garage who did my cam belt said they had checked the timing, but when the guys at Avon Tuning adjusted the cam timing on mine the problem was solved instantly.
I'm so pleased because I was about to change my tandem pump but spoke to them first.
Cheers
Olly
They adjusted the cam timing.
The garage who did my cam belt said they had checked the timing, but when the guys at Avon Tuning adjusted the cam timing on mine the problem was solved instantly.
I'm so pleased because I was about to change my tandem pump but spoke to them first.
Cheers
Olly
I've said this numerous times on here. The cambelt pins fit in the lugs with a fair bit of adjustment either side. The timing needs setting up exactly with the engine warm via VCDS. The belt doesnt need to come off to do this minor adjustment, its a 2 minute job once the engine is warm.
Hi all,
I have exactly the same issues with my A4 2.0 tdi 170 57 plate. Already had new egr, new oil pump and cam belt and pump fitted by specialist. Problem still exists. Would have thought he'd know what he was doin but I guess anyone can get it wrong. Think ill take it back there and get him to re check it when warm and check he has the vcds as mentioned. Ill repost when done to confirm if it needed adjustment and if it cured it.
I have exactly the same issues with my A4 2.0 tdi 170 57 plate. Already had new egr, new oil pump and cam belt and pump fitted by specialist. Problem still exists. Would have thought he'd know what he was doin but I guess anyone can get it wrong. Think ill take it back there and get him to re check it when warm and check he has the vcds as mentioned. Ill repost when done to confirm if it needed adjustment and if it cured it.
I thought those of you with this issue might like to know I have had it sorted!! Went to Avon Tuning today and saw Gareth there. He adjusted the cam timing on both inlet and exhaust and it now runs like a dream. He was very knowledgeable and sorted it in no time. Also had it re-mapped and the egr deleted. Came to a total of £350. It's now a 200bhp beast with fuel econ pushing 52 mpg. Amazing!
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