Please help me, (big loss of power)

1) Coolant loss could be down to a leaky rad - that seems to be common!

2) The power loss will be the car going into limp mode. You need to get the car on vagcom to see what caused it?

3) Have you had teh globe plugs recently changed? Or if it didnt turn over completely (so no engine noise at all) - Id advise vagcom again!

EDIT: Is your car under warranty. If so - take it to Audi and get them to vagcom it and if not, if sure womeone on here will take a scan and see what comes up!

HTH

kaz219 said:

1) 3) Have you had teh globe plugs recently changed?

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Glow plugs mate :thumbsup:

There is quite a history of losing coolant in 140 engines and also quite a history of turbo issues, although mainly failures and if yours is ok now then I doubt it's failed.

There is a cylinder head issue too on the 140 TDi

Welcome to stealer so called customer service fella, its shocking what they consider a way to deal with us huh, only use audi parts, dont use service or sales anymore, dont trust them or feel they deserve my money full stop, but my local parts guy I will swear by, excellent service & by all accounts of others he must be the exception to the cause, because other parts departments seem to be ****, but the cars are good

Just keep taking it back or go to an independant specialist....(i'll take it you dont have warranty as of the ref to good will)

is there a lot of smoke? - that could suggest a turbo...

I've never used Audi or even VW when i had my previous car, the golf. i went once for the imf but i worked out even with the goodwill gesture, i'll be payin more than if i bought the part from euro and paid my mechanic (but i fitted it myself)

I just use a family run business who have employed a guy who use to work for Audi and looks after all our cars apart from the 2 mercs in the fam as merc customer service is awesome - no diagnostic charge either

you pay for service at audi which you dont get...

my advise - find an independant specailist which is a small business as they look after you better and are cheaper...

but globe plugs are cheap - that would be my first action. for the coolant loss, id take a detailed look at the rad and look for water leaks or signs of it...

Lex said:

hello all

so next problem

i was driving home and while over-taking a tractor accelerating hard i lost most power but the car was still driving and keeping speed, it felt like my turbo had gone, at the nearest pull in (being passed by the same tractor, looking like a knoob) i turned the car off and started it again and it pulled with the turbo again and felt slightly better than before.

third problem

today i was about to go to audi to ask afew questions and y car wouldn't start, it just didnt turnover at all, my first thought was the battery was just dead but 7th or 8th attempt it started with abit of throttle persuasion. and now it starts every time. it was -1'c but i waiting for the glow plugs sign.


Can aybody give me some advice or possible thing it could be?

i cant believe my A3 is causing so much hassel i thought it would be a delight to own but however it has been crap so far.


PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME

lex

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Hi Lex

I would go head myself too. I had a similar problem but without the Coolant loss.

Of your problems, I didn't notice the second problem like that on mine - I did however feel a difference in power after I had the head changed on mine in September.

I had the 3rd problem, big style. On several occasions between Feb 08 and Sep 08, I came to mine after leaving it overnight, and sat there turning it over 4 or 5 times before it kicked.

Other times it would turn and fire but only while the starter was going. Audi couldn't diagnose it because after it started it, and I drove to them, it started everytime after. They never had the car longer than a day for it to happen when cold to spot it.

I got fed up with mine in September and took it back to Audi Sutton Coldfield (where I bought it) when I noticed the EGR valve was pi$$ing oil from the vacuum seal.

They had to have the car initially for 2 days to replace EGR as they had none in stock. On day 2 they called me to tell me the cylinder head/seal was distorted on Injector 2, and needing replacing. Obviously it didn't start for them!

Since then engine wise, it has been perfect since. With the exception of one morning a couple of weeks back it has started first time everytime.

If I were you I'd keep going back until your happy. If the starting is an issue again get them to have it for at least 2 days. As leaving it with them for one day will result in them not finding it. Hence why it was September mine was found not February when my problems started

If it is the turbo then I very much doubt it's failed as I said above. It's very common for the VNT Vanes to stick and that causes an overboost followed by limp mode.

You might be able to pressure some goodwill out of them on the coolant leaking as there is definately an issue with them.

If you want a new turbo then I would be able to put you in touch with a guy who is a VW Master Tech, he also runs his own business on the side. Should be able to save you a few ££.

I've PM'd you the details.

Let us know how you get on.