Audi A4 b6 1.9 tdi temperature not reaching 90 degrees, and found oil in breather pipe?

[Jd gul]

Hi all, I have just purchased a Audi A4 1.9 tdi se 130 2001 y reg, car has been very well looked after 1 elderly owner from new 110k mileage, the temperature never reaches 90 degrees, it sits around 67-68 degrees fully warm, in addition it was really sluggish when I brought it, it felt dangerously slow as it takes forever to pick up speeds,no real turbo kick for a 130 bhp car, on a few occasions cold mornings after few minutes of driving the rev needle has decided to freely move up and down in neutral. I decided to change the temperature sensor yesterday which has made no difference to the temperature reading, however I have noticed the car feels more powerful now?, should I also change thermostat?. Furthermore after removing the pipe to fit the temperature sensor to my horror the mechanic discovered excessive oil in the pipe, I will attach images, he said turbo might be on its way out, however the car has never blown out smoke regardless of weather, is this a serious/costly problem?, all opinions appreciated, kind regards.

 

[Mike B]

It needs a new stat .The temp should get to 90 quite quickly and stay there.The heater should improve too.He could be right about the turbo but maybe a clean up will help and perhaps a stint of high speed cruising.Maybe its only been used to short trips.I am an elderly owner of a 2.5tdi which is only used for local trips but I do try to fit in a long cruise so that it gets a blow out which diesels need

 

[joinerman]

Try cleaning the MAF sensor as well, get the proper spray, a good blast up the m/way to clear the cobwebs out should improve things

 

[Jd gul]

It needs a new stat .The temp should get to 90 quite quickly and stay there.The heater should improve too.He could be right about the turbo but maybe a clean up will help and perhaps a stint of high speed cruising.Maybe its only been used to short trips.I am an elderly owner of a 2.5tdi which is only used for local trips but I do try to fit in a long cruise so that it gets a blow out which diesels need

Thanks for the swift insight Mike!. Yes I initially pushed the mechanic to put a new thermostat in but he wanted to try the temp sensor first. Yes turbo was my real worry as need the car for commuting to work. Yes your right he used the car for short trips.. will try give it a good run, thanks again!.

 

[Jd gul]

Try cleaning the MAF sensor as well, get the proper spray, a good blast up the m/way to clear the cobwebs out should improve things

Thanks for shining some light on my issue, will give it a good run on motorway, it’s bizarre how there is no warning lights for limp or anything, but it just really sluggish, and I’ve owned 130 pd engine in the past they had that get up and go spirit.

 

[joinerman]

One question i have to ask, did you test drive it ?

 

[Jd gul]

One question i have to ask, did you test drive it ?

Yes I did just literally around the block though. It felt ever so tight even after 17+ years and having 20+ services stamped up, didn’t really put the turbo to the test, and as for the temperature issue I realised that on the way back (dual carriageway), as it was around 40 mile journey and it was still sitting on 68ish degrees.

 

[Gazwould]

Disable egr buy pulling and plugging the vac line , should improve turbo spool.

 

[Jd gul]

Disable egr buy pulling and plugging the vac line , should improve turbo spool.

Thanks for the reply, I will get my mechanic to give that a try i am not very mechanical minded.

 

[Gazwould]

The most unmechanical 30 second job you'll ever do .

 

[Jd gul]

The most unmechanical 30 second job you'll ever do .

I’ll definitely give it a go then. Would you say dirty oil being in the breather pipe is a serious issue judging by the images I have attached?.

 

[Mike B]

The oil isnt a good sign but give it a chance after the stat is changed to have a good run.Hopefully its just a bit bunged up from little use and running too cool for some time .Clean up what you can and perhaps get some injector cleaner too.Has it had a new type MOT? Having run mine on V Power and used cleaner I am hoping mine will be OK when its is due next year

 

[Gazwould]

It's crankcase oil vapour , those joints are notoriously loose and can be firmed up with the two jubilee clips and cable ties method.

I had one blow off a locating lug under boost , BANG and lots of black smoke , I laughed as I knew what it was .

Don't forget the 2 Stroke oil...

 

[Jd gul]

The oil isnt a good sign but give it a chance after the stat is changed to have a good run.Hopefully its just a bit bunged up from little use and running too cool for some time .Clean up what you can and perhaps get some injector cleaner too.Has it had a new type MOT? Having run mine on V Power and used cleaner I am hoping mine will be OK when its is due next year

That makes sense Mike, it had a mot on the 31st oct I believe I’m presuming it would be new type.. fingers crossed for us both

 

[Jd gul]

It's crankcase oil vapour , those joints are notoriously loose and can be firmed up with the two jubilee clips and cable ties method.

I had one blow off a locating lug under boost , BANG and lots of black smoke , I laughed as I knew what it was .

Don't forget the 2 Stroke oil...

Thanks Gaz will pass that on to the mechanic.

 

[Jd gul]

Hi all, thanks ever so much for the expert advice, I can confirm that thermostat was fitted yesterday and car now sits at 90 degrees bang on after 8 minutes of dual carriageway driving regardless of heater being on or off. However mechanic discovered further leaks one of the hoses I believe. He said if I wanted to keep it long term it would need a lot of money spending on it

 

[Mike B]

Good news and bad.Did he give you any idea of why he said this?Leaking hoses are easily replaced.I believe the diesel failure rate has doubled under the new rules so yours is good on emissions.Wait and see whether it improves.Obviously its hard to justify spending a lot but worth keeping if it does its job better and is reliable.Never going to be a collectable model but can be great workhorses.

 

[Jd gul]

Good news and bad.Did he give you any idea of why he said this?Leaking hoses are easily replaced.I believe the diesel failure rate has doubled under the new rules so yours is good on emissions.Wait and see whether it improves.Obviously its hard to justify spending a lot but worth keeping if it does its job better and is reliable.Never going to be a collectable model but can be great workhorses.

I’ll attach some images for you to see Mike he did mention it but I can’t recall what exact area it was. Absolutely it is a very clean car, however is now a 17+ year old car so like you said it’s not justified spending so much money on, but I must say it sounds so so sweet even on a cold start, never been thrashed always warmed couple minutes before driving off and not exceeding 2k revs till oil is warmed up, also cooled down turbo after journeys.

 

[Mike B]

leaks are so difficult.First thing is to wait and see if it uses oil or if theres any drips underneath. My days of sorting these things are long gone unless its costing .Maybe if you got on with the previous owner you could ask what it was like with him mainly as to whether he noticed any performance drop off.Thats the big issue and maybe whether the turbo has gone.

 

[Jd gul]

leaks are so difficult.First thing is to wait and see if it uses oil or if theres any drips underneath. My days of sorting these things are long gone unless its costing .Maybe if you got on with the previous owner you could ask what it was like with him mainly as to whether he noticed any performance drop off.Thats the big issue and maybe whether the turbo has gone.

Hi Mike, it’s really bizarre as I have done almost 1000 miles and it’s not used any oil whatsoever. Yes that would be ideal however don’t have his number anymore. I guess I’ll just keep driving it.. I noticed a warning sign pop up some days ago didn’t really take any notice however it seems as though it’s for the brake pads!, doesn’t this mean all of them need replacing?.

 

[Mike B]

The oil leak doesnt seem serious.Might be some fuel there.The diesel spill pipes are weakness on mine They can crack with age and make a lot of mess.Brake pad sensor is usually only on the front nearside.None on the back.You can usually see the pads through the wheel with a torch or you have to take the wheel off.Often the pads have a lot more life left in them so dont panic.Sometimes the sensor triggers when the wiring gets damaged.I would much prefer that it wasnt fitted but its been on all cars for many years mainly I think to drum up work for garages who love to get us to shell out before we need to.Feel the brake disc edges to see if there is any lip .A big lip means the discs are thin and need changing soon and of course fit pads as well