Audi A4 1.4 Fuel Spraying

[JazzJPH]

Hi guys,

Wish my Bluetooth issue was the only one. My one year old A4 is now stepping up her misbehaviour.

I tried to start the car, it came up with an error. I clicked the START/STOP button again and the starter motor went for it, a few seconds longer than normal. Then a strong fuel smell came into the cabin.

I popped the bonnet to fuel spraying out. Video link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ws1gkB6U43Wuqaxob3C9ud7W5SmTA59r/view?usp=drivesdk

 

[cuke2u]

That is a immediate call out for Audi Assist https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/roadside.html

 

[JazzJPH]

Aye they're on their way now cheers

 

[JazzJPH]

AA guy is here, says it happens a fair bit on the 1.4 engines. He's seen it on these and Seat's etc.

Pretty annoying really but I'm well impressed with how fast they came out.

 

[cuke2u]

Did he say what the issue was? I had the 1.4 in my A3 and this never happened...

 

[JazzJPH]

Seems to think it's a fault with injector 1. At Newcastle Audi now. Apparently a few have been brought here in the last week. Mine is 67 plate and only had it since last February

 

[cuke2u]

Not good, hopefully it'll get fixed soon. Have they given you a replacement vehicle?

 

[JazzJPH]

Yeah there's a bit of a wait but apparently I'm getting an A5. They arranged a taxi into town and then the return later which is good of them.

 

[BigAardvaark]

Blinking heck, all that petrol right on the alternator! Do the Euromillions tonight, your luck's in!

 

[JazzJPH]

I drove about half a mile before deciding to check the fuel smell out, oops haha

 

[DaveW]

Sounds like you had a lucky escape.

 

[JazzJPH]

Hi guys,

Quick update on this. Audi have had a quick look and said one of the injector seals has gone and they've ordered replacement part for it. They sorted us with an A5 2.0 TDI Sport as a replacement vehicle (apparently in warranty situations they rent them from Europcar).

When my wife and I were in the workshop transferring our stuff from our boot to the A5 the place stank of petrol and this sad-looking guy was just stood with a mop and bucket next to my motor poor fella.

They said they'd look at the Bluetooth issue while they're at it too...

So yeah, watch out if you have a 1.4 TFSI engine...

 

[firebits]

I think this needs a bit more than an AA guy says he’s seen this a fair bit, I’d be happier with an answer from Audi on is my car going to burst into flames one day?

 

[JazzJPH]

I think this needs a bit more than an AA guy says he’s seen this a fair bit, I’d be happier with an answer from Audi on is my car going to burst into flames one day?

Totally agree. I couldn't find anything else online. If it is starting to happen to one year old 1.4 petrol engines then surely these forum threads will start popping up more often.

AA guy mentioned a few have been brought to Audi for this reason, but again that's relying on one man's word. Will see what the technician says about it when I collect the vehicle.

 

[cuke2u]

I feel this is just a one off really, whatever the AA man stated. There can be issues with injector seals failing on high mileage engines, or ones with an assembly defects. However this engine has been around for sometime now and there, as stated, no particular references to this issue. I had a 1.4 for three and bit years, no issues.

 

[JazzJPH]

What effect will petrol squirting everywhere have on the rest of the engine?
ie will it affect belts, hoses and other rubber parts?

 

[cuke2u]

The hoses and belts will probably be ok, not so sure about that poor alternator though. May just evaporate...

 

[JazzJPH]

I'll ask the Audi techs about it - I wouldn't fancy the rubber degrading quicker due to the fuel. Also wouldn't fancy anything else giving up.
Car is going back next February anyway.
Lease companies are currently pushing out the Volvo V40 Cross Country T3. Might look at getting one of them if they're still on a good deal by then

 

[cuke2u]

The cross country isn't really worth the extra cost unless you are going off road all the time. Plus it is only expensive jacked up estate.

 

[JazzJPH]

So I picked her up today. I was quite enjoying the 2 litre diesel A5 but glad to have the A4 back. Seems fine now.

The report says the issue was "due to incorrectly torqued fuel rail bolts from factory. Replaced fuel rails seals and re-torqued bolts, tested OK"

Didn't manage to get to chat with a tech but I'd say this was a one off. A dangerous one off but thankfully it doesn't seem to have happened to anyone else.

 

[JazzJPH]

The cross country isn't really worth the extra cost unless you are going off road all the time. Plus it is only expensive jacked up estate.

I only mentioned that motor because it's currently being pushed out cheap on lease. I only got the A4 because it was ridiculously cheap and that's all I'll be doing when I have to hand this back

 

[JazzJPH]

Took the car back in today for a child lock issue and sudden inability to read SD card.
Was informed there's a recall on the car too - fuel rail bolts need adjusting to correct torque.

The work was already done on mine but I guess it's a common fault now.

 

[Whorpheus]

I received a letter from Audi this week for a 'Product enhancement' relating to my A4 1.4TFSI. I called up the dealer to ask what it was regarding and is a recall regarding one of the fuel rails, so i assume its regarding this problem. Its booked in for Monday to have the work done. Has anyone else received a letter yet?

 

[Davegnr]

This has just happened to me, scary stuff really.