New Member B6 Audi A4 Niggles - Help Required

stevekoz

Registered User
Joined
Jan 3, 2015
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Hi All, New member to the site, been reading lots of historic posts searching for help but thought it would be best to start my own thread.

So here goes.

I've got a b6 Audi A4 with the 2.5 v6 TDi 180 bhp Quattro (remapped to approx 216hp)

The car was mapped prior to my ownership.

The car has a couple of niggly issues currently i am looking for some help with.

1. Cold Start Issue

The car has a cold start issue.

During the summer months this wasn't an issue at all so its definitely temperature related.

On first turn of the key in low temperatures the car struggles to turn over. She won't fire immediately and once she does she is lumpy for 2/3 seconds feels like she'll cut out and lets out a puff of white diesel smoke. She never smokes on running or any other time. Its only on first start up. Its def white smoke and smells of diesel.

This ONLY happens the first time she is started. If i turn her straight off and then restart she catches and starts perfectly and will start and run perfectly the entire day thereafter. It only ever happens first time of starting. Starter motor was tested not long back and was cycling proper voltage.

I have changed the coolant temperature sensor as i thought this might be the issue but no luck. I'm stuck next as to what it might be.

Anyone suffered similar issues? Glow Plugs? what else could it be??

2. Flat spots

As said the car is remapped. By whom i don't know. I don't have paperwork and it was prior to my ownership. However, the car suffers from two flat spots at 2000 and 3000 rpm. Normally you don't really notice them that much so the fault appears intermittent. I think this could be boost related as sometimes she feels hesitant under boost, like the power is there but is struggling a little bit to come through. I've read/heard that the flat spots on a 2.5 v6 tdi are common not sure if this is the same?

I have played with the actuator and it moves fairly freely. There is no black smoke. The seals look good on the turbo and it doesn't always happen. Could this be down to a faulty N75 valve and is there a way of testing this/bypassing it to see if this could be the issue. My thoughts are it is failing to cope with the increased boost all the time due to having been remapped.

Therefore is there a replacement/performance variant N75 valve that would be suitable for the car - would fitting one from a later 3.0 tdi make a difference for example (if you can even do this?) and if so where can i pick up such a part other than Audi/VAG i can't seem to find them for sale anywhere.

If not that could it be MAF? What else might cause such flat spots?

3. EML/EGR

The EGR valve throws up an EML code. I've blanked off the EGR (disconnect and blocked vac line as per instruction) and it runs now without limp mode kicking in but its constantly got the EML light. I wonder. If the car registers that EML could it ****** the timing a little bit or cause any of the above problems (boost issues/flat spots) due to the fact its retarding timing a little as it registers there a code that would normally limp mode the car? Hasn't gone into limp since disconnecting the EGR.

I'd really appreciate some comments and help and ideas as i'm a bit lost.

I've just spent £1000 on her due to a crank pulley failing and any more issues i just can't really stomach so toying with selling her rather than fixing her but if these issues are simple fixes then i may be tempted to keep going with her a wee bit longer.

Cheers all.
 
ANyone with any comments/ideas would be appreciated? Cheers
 
Hi.
I've had the same car for 4 years and there's much more knowledgable people than me on here who will hopefully help out.
Starting issues.....I get the White smoke and have done for 4 years. New glow plugs, battery, CTS, stat etc all done. I've just learned to live with it as there's no other symptoms & MPG is fine etc.
Flat spots......have you looked up Mr Muscle turbo clean?
EGR blanking........I've done mine but it's a 51 plate. I believe later models will give an engine light.
 
Hi and Welcome.

1) Seems to be common on the 2.5. My 2.5 used to really struggle until I recently fitted the bigger battery of the two sizes listed for the 2.5, 069 is the smaller and 019 is the bigger battery. Someone prior to me owning the car had fitted a smaller 069. I know this because the small 'end stop' for the battery was still at the full length. Cranks much faster and catches almost instantly in the minus 6 temps we've had.

However, mine never ran lumpy. Just gave clouds of unburnt fuel from long time cranking. Running lumpy for a short period indicates glow plug issues. Be VERY careful if you change, THEY CAN SNAP!


2) You are best off getting VCDS and running some logs. I had a flat spot and it really bugged. After a few log runs it transpired it was my MAF that was faulty. I did the Mr Muscle trick and didn't feel any difference so then I went to the whole hog, removed the Turbo, stripped it and cleaned it and refitted. Seemed better.

VCDS will hopefully pin point your issues, You will need to do various logs, MAF, BOOST etc. Then post them into a graph on then on here and people will try and assist you.

If you don't have VCDS, have a look on the VCDS map and see if anyone is local to you and send them a message.

Some people had issues with remaps. If they're done poorly. IIRC #VR6GORDY had an issue with a remap on his 1.8T. (I think it was vr6gordy anyway).


3) Depending on the year of your car, the MIL will come on if you disconnect the EGR. I think it's from very late 2002/early 2003 cars that do this. Mine is mid 2002 and doesn't have the MIL light on after EGR delete. To remove the MIL it would need to be mapped out in the remap.

I hope this helps you a little.

Dan
 
Struggling to turn over is the battery which needs to be good and healthy.If that doesn't work it could be the plugs but mine hardly seems to need them even now.Timing is vital.Assuming its had the belts done I would hope the retiming was done by someone who knows and cares as mine was .Made a huge difference and perhaps something to do with flat spots too.White exhaust is normal.My last one made loads but ran well but possibly not so well timed as this one.If you are anywhere near NLondon I would go and see our expert Chris
 
Struggling to start on the 2.5TDi can also be down to fuel pump timing.
This needs to be done via VCDS and the fuel pump pulley adjusted.

I would also check the glow plugs.

Where are you located? I dont mind looking over the engine for you.
 

Similar threads