Another 2.0TDi 170 problem - Oil Pressure Warning Light....

[Richardesty]

I was about mile into my commute this morning and was woken up by a big red Oil Pressure Warning on my dash. Its on the 2.0 TDI 170 BRD engine...

Pulled over, checked the handbook - to learn that I needed to check the oil, and if that didn't cure the issue. Do nothing, not even let the car idle

Called my local independent VAG specialist, which was fortunately only a mile away, to be told it should be ok to limp round to theirs, which is was.

Currently under diagnosis, although an initial VAGCOM check suggests no 'errors'.

Apparently this is a common fault, which results in the need to either replace the oil pressure switch (£25) or a new oil pump (circa £2k inc labour).

Separately had a chat with my Audi dealer, who quoted me '4 to 5 hours' of investigation - before they would offer a quote or diagnosis, but said if it was the oil pump (a big complex geared monstrosity) they'd also replace the turbo as a caution. (yeah, cause they would!)

Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this - whilst I await further information?

 

[jaygeezer871]

I was about mile into my commute this morning and was woken up by a big red Oil Pressure Warning on my dash. Its on the 2.0 TDI 170 BRD engine...

Pulled over, checked the handbook - to learn that I needed to check the oil, and if that didn't cure the issue. Do nothing, not even let the car idle

Called my local independent VAG specialist, which was fortunately only a mile away, to be told it should be ok to limp round to theirs, which is was.

Currently under diagnosis, although an initial VAGCOM check suggests no 'errors'.

Apparently this is a common fault, which results in the need to either replace the oil pressure switch (£25) or a new oil pump (circa £2k inc labour).

Separately had a chat with my Audi dealer, who quoted me '4 to 5 hours' of investigation - before they would offer a quote or diagnosis, but said if it was the oil pump (a big complex geared monstrosity) they'd also replace the turbo as a caution. (yeah, cause they would!)

Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this - whilst I await further information?

Sorry cant offer any help but following with interest should this happen to me, what's your mileage & how old is the car?
I know from your posts your no mug so let's hope the cheaper option cures it?
jay

 

[mearnsA4]

there is a long thread on the Sticky, 4th down the page, have a read of that for more info...

 

[jaygeezer871]

there is a long thread on the Sticky, 4th down the page, have a read of that for more info...

Ouch, lost interest following that thread sometime ago thinking it was 140 engines, not the 170s.
I need to check on the recall 13D7 for the 170 BRD engine myself.
Good luck

 

[Richardesty]

there is a long thread on the Sticky, 4th down the page, have a read of that for more info...

Yeah seen that - but the vast majority of issues on there relate to the BLB engine......mine's the BRD.

Either way I'll keep you posted as the garage continue to investigate the issue.

 

[mearnsA4]

hope it is just a pressure sensor. mine was a BRD and had oil pump and hex shaft replaced; engine and turbo survived though..!

 

[Wrath]

I think the oil pump is still run off a hex shaft so you might have had a hex failure in which case worst case scenario is the engine is pooched as well as the turbo. Hopefully it's just a sensor.

 

[Paul B7]

I think the oil pump is still run off a hex shaft so you might have had a hex failure in which case worst case scenario is the engine is pooched as well as the turbo. Hopefully it's just a sensor.

The standard Audi response is that you need a replacement Turbo as well as the replacement oil pump/balance shaft module etc etc.
THIS IS NOT ALWAYS TRUE AS THE TURBO IS NOT ALWAYS DAMAGED.
Like Wrath I just hope its the sensor, good luck.


Paul B7

 

[Richardesty]

Well.....

10 hours labour later, 'just' an oil pump (no turbo or balance shaft) and a £1676 bill from my local independant VAG specialist - she seems to be fighting fit again!

I had a bit of a side swipe at Audi Uk about on Twitter and as a result was contacted by them. This allowed me to share my frustrations in relation to the series of known issues I've had (Injectors, Flywheel and Oil Pump) which have resulted in my car being off the road for 5 times in 3 years.....

They went into the whole 'well if you'd have taken it to a main dealer' we might have been able to do something - to which I replied, if I'd have gone to the main dealer it would have cost me a whole lot more in the first place. Not helped by the fact they wanted £75 for a computer diagnostics and 4 hours labour to 'run some tests' before they'd even hint at what was wrong....

The independant did a free VAGCOM check and oil pressure check (FOC) and instantly said - it'll be the common fault with the oil pump on all VAG 2.0TDi's.

Anyway, to cut a long story short Audi have said they'll send me a £250 voucher to use at any Audi dealer - on either Merchandising, Servicing or indeed my next car (wishful thinking on their part!!!!).

 

[tuffy]

Well.....

10 hours labour later, 'just' an oil pump (no turbo or balance shaft) and a £1676 bill from my local independant VAG specialist - she seems to be fighting fit again!

I had a bit of a side swipe at Audi Uk about on Twitter and as a result was contacted by them. This allowed me to share my frustrations in relation to the series of known issues I've had (Injectors, Flywheel and Oil Pump) which have resulted in my car being off the road for 5 times in 3 years.....

They went into the whole 'well if you'd have taken it to a main dealer' we might have been able to do something - to which I replied, if I'd have gone to the main dealer it would have cost me a whole lot more in the first place. Not helped by the fact they wanted £75 for a computer diagnostics and 4 hours labour to 'run some tests' before they'd even hint at what was wrong....

The independant did a free VAGCOM check and oil pressure check (FOC) and instantly said - it'll be the common fault with the oil pump on all VAG 2.0TDi's.

Anyway, to cut a long story short Audi have said they'll send me a £250 voucher to use at any Audi dealer - on either Merchandising, Servicing or indeed my next car (wishful thinking on their part!!!!).

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I thought the gear driven oil pumps on the BLD engine didn't give any trouble? Just balance shaft issues

 

[Paul B7]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. I thought the gear driven oil pumps on the BLD engine didn't give any trouble? Just balance shaft issues

Gear driven units mean the balance shaft is driven by a gear ( and by a tensioned chain in the BLB )
The balance shaft in turn drives the oil pump via an hex shaft. The hex shaft round off and hence no drive to the oil pump.
The Audi Driver article from November 2012 gives an explanation and which engine code suffers what.

 

[fossie]

I'm loving the fact that when the pump goes and the cars taken into a garage their reply is; "oh it's a common fault" however according to Audi it ain't.

 

[mm707]

I'm loving the fact that when the pump goes and the cars taken into a garage their reply is; "oh it's a common fault" however according to Audi it ain't.

Was the same with the injector fiasco. Main dealers were saying it's quite rare but they knew it was happening to lots of cars. They were blatantly lying.

 

[Richardesty]

The £250 voucher is as good an admittance of guilt as any I know of

 

[Gavlaa]

Just sticking my 2 pennies worth in here. I own a BRD engined 2.0 170ps TDI A4 and am suffering the oil pressure issue mentioned above.
Despite this being quite a common issue I haven't seen allot of facts about symptoms and specifics though so before I throw my car at the garage ( I don't have the time nor tooling for this job) I thought I'd share a short fault diagnosis video as i plaid it by ear.
At the end of my little look and tentative engine run I came to the conclusion that it is probably the oil pump at fault or a combination of oil sludging and the turbo making a horrible noise.
Here is a4 fault diagnosis - YouTube
I will put this on the sticky to but wanted it on this thread as it is BRD engine specific.
I hope nobody gets narked by the bump on this old thread but it will no doubt help others looking for guidance on this issue.

 

[craigmccarthy20211986@gma]

I was about mile into my commute this morning and was woken up by a big red Oil Pressure Warning on my dash. Its on the 2.0 TDI 170 BRD engine...

Pulled over, checked the handbook - to learn that I needed to check the oil, and if that didn't cure the issue. Do nothing, not even let the car idle

Called my local independent VAG specialist, which was fortunately only a mile away, to be told it should be ok to limp round to theirs, which is was.

Currently under diagnosis, although an initial VAGCOM check suggests no 'errors'.

Apparently this is a common fault, which results in the need to either replace the oil pressure switch (£25) or a new oil pump (circa £2k inc labour).

Separately had a chat with my Audi dealer, who quoted me '4 to 5 hours' of investigation - before they would offer a quote or diagnosis, but said if it was the oil pump (a big complex geared monstrosity) they'd also replace the turbo as a caution. (yeah, cause they would!)

Just wondered if anyone else had experienced this - whilst I await further information?

Hey how are you. I'm New to this site, recently just bought a 2007 Audi A4 sline, it's the infamous 170 BRD engine, and I seem to be having the same problem as most. I bought the car with the oil pressure light showing in the hope of repairing it myself. The only problem is the car is 3 hours away and I'm wondering if it's a good idea to drive it back to My garage, without doing anything further damage. The car is starting, and running 100%, I mean litterelly not a single knock from it. Neither is it loosing any power. I'm just wondering if anyone could help me out and let me know if it's a good idea to drive it back. Obviously the sensible thing to do would put it on a tow truck, but unfortunately I don't have the resources for that,nor do I have the money. Any advice would be awesome. Thanks .

 

[tr7]

Absolutely terrible idea.

And one you're almost certain to require an emergency call out and tow truck to get you home when the engine fails mid journey.

I see this post was yesterday. I sincerely hope you haven't set off already

 

[tr7]

You need to be certain it is an Oil Pressure warning or an Oil Pressure Sensor warning. Warning that the Sensor has failed.

 

[craigmccarthy20211986@gma]

You need to be certain it is an Oil Pressure warning or an Oil Pressure Sensor warning. Warning that the Sensor has failed.

 

[craigmccarthy20211986@gma]

Thank you.I'm actually not sure if it's an oil pressure light or If it's a low oil level. You be glad to know that i didn't drive it back. To be honest I'm only in the second year of my apprenticeship mechanic and I've purchased the car in good faith and knowing that there was an oil light of some sort showing. I only paid £500 for the car, and it's got a full new mot, so I thought it was a sure thing

 

[B7Tourer]

Red light = low oil pressure. Amber light = low oil level. Unfortunately, although not unknown, it is rare to be a sensor defect. In any case, if it was me, I would under no circumstances even start it with the red warning, let alone drive it! If there is no further damage (Turbo, camshafts, etc.) you're looking at £700-1000, for a new oil pump hex key and balance shaft fitting.

 

[tr7]

@B7Tourer I mention it as there is a specific warning for SENSOR. So it lets you know the sensor has failed on the dash. I've had this personally. But rare as not saw it often mentioned elsewhere

 

[tr7]

Thank you.I'm actually not sure if it's an oil pressure light or If it's a low oil level. You be glad to know that i didn't drive it back. To be honest I'm only in the second year of my apprenticeship mechanic and I've purchased the car in good faith and knowing that there was an oil light of some sort showing. I only paid £500 for the car, and it's got a full new mot, so I thought it was a sure thing

Take a look at this walk through video

This is most likely the issue the car is having, as it is very common.




Basically that Hex bar rounds off and then stops providing drive to the Oil pump completely starving the engine of Oil (and the Turbo).

I personally have replaced and engine and turbo for a car that suffered this fate. I got it done at a great price but it was still very expensive


So if it this issue, it's a mechanical issue and one that if the engine continues to run, even just at idle. It will destroy the engine.

 

[tr7]

Well what was the outcome of this?

Did you buy the car in the end?