Audi 1.8 t engine fault

[pjm101]

Hi, can anyone please help????
I have just bought a 2001 Audi A4 1.8 t (auto). I bought the car and was told that there was a problem with the car which was that it had stalled when at a junction on a couple of occassions. the previous owner said he was told this could be the idle control valve. I bought the car and driving it home it started to judder/miss at lower speeds (above 65/70 it drives great) I also noticed that the temp gauge didn't move at all and therefore is obviously not working, i guess it's been disconnected as the car i also found out is over heating. there is no water in the oil or oil in the water so i'm hoping it's not head gasket. Does anyone know if this is a comon fault and what it could be? Please help... Thanks

[blueg33]

If temp guage was deliberately disconnected tohide a fault you have a case against seller. Caveat emptor (buyer beware) is not applicable where you have been deliberately misled.

[pjm101]

Thanks Blueg33, to be honest i love the car and just want to get it fixed. i got it for what i think was a good price so am prepared to spend a few pounds on it to put right. Just need to know where to start.

[P700DEE]

thermostat stuck ?

[pjm101]

Hi P700DEE, could be mate. if i take it out and run the car would it do any damage? that way i can eliminate that as as possibility

[istoo]

I would start with getting the fault codes read first!
When was the last service carried out?
I always forget the era which is applies for the 1.8T but coil packs?

ISV is prone to sticking on the older VAGs but that tends to give you a lumpy idle as well.
The boost control solenoid is also prone to sticking/ failing (called the N75)

[pjm101]

Thanks istoo
Are these very expensive to fix?
Is there anyway i can rule out the head gasket as this is my worst fear?

[Tame Technician]

Take the plugs out, put a pressure tester on the cooling system and look for water in the plug holes. Sounds like a head gasket to me. If you have one a block test will confirm a good/bad head gasket also.

If there is no evidence of water, replace the plugs and coils and retest, hopefully misfire cured. However dont run the engine for any length of time if its over heating. Assuming the head gasket test ok, it most likely the water pump, but could also be a sticking thermostat thats causing the over heating.

Personally I'd drive it to the nearest Auction and be ready to loose £1000 or so, rather than spending that and risk it still being no good.

Sorry

[pjm101]

If this is the head gasket does anyone know how much i would be looking at to get it repaired?

[istoo]

1.8T has loads of known faults, i would get a diagnostics scan, then get it checked over to see if it can be the confirmed fault. Tame Technician works on these daily (correct?) so i would take his advice as well.

However, I know if your passionate about a car that's not going to be right it harder to let it go. spending more than its worth, your call really.

[Tame Technician]

We had a 2.0FSI that over heated and warped the head, Head was removed checked and skimmed. It was then cleaned up and refitted, obviously new head gasket and bolts, but also new water pump and cambelt kit. The bill was over £1500.

250 miles later head gasket went again, re striped to check. Block was warped also, had to have new engine. Cost us a bomb as we missed it the first time we footed the bill.

Car is now fine with new short block and skimmed head, but total cost would have been arronf £3500.

Just Head gasket + skim including all parts, nuts bolts etc + labour + VAT = £1000

Unless you can be sure the misfire and the cutting out at junctions are a totally separate faults, and its not so much over heating as running a bit hot, I'd run away.

You do need someone to diagnose it accurately. I'm using your description + my experience to give the best advise, but it could just need a coil pack and a water pump and then be fine.

I just wouldn't want to commit loads of money to it, especially as its an auto.


Oh and yes I work at an Audi center and work on these daily.

[istoo]

The above is straight from the horses mouth.

Conclusion?
Get it diagnosed, if its possible to commit to that without doing actual work, then make a call from there. If its head work then its going to be dear regardless.

[pjm101]

Thanks for your advice tame tch and istoo
the car is on a 51 plate with 100000 miles, full service history, 11 months mot and 6 months tax. the bodywork is in quite good condition with just the usual carprk marks etc (nothing major) and when the car gets to about 65 mph it runs beautifully. I bought the car a few days ago for £2000 (which i believe was very cheap) so am prepared to spend a few quid but i will get it diagnosed and see from there. Cheers guys

[istoo]

at 60+ the air coming through then engine bay will help keep it cooler, so that might be a bit of a false economy. either way continual overheating is not a good thing.

Honestly if its more than a £100 i would move it along, that age and mileage there has to be a fair bit to choose from.