170 PD Injector Horror Stories

C

Craigy1D

Registered User
Joined
Apr 24, 2011
Messages
19
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
NULL
Hi All,

I'm looking at an A3 with a 2.0 TDI, 170 PD engine but I've just read some horror stories about the injectors having a fault and causing the engine to lose power, steering stiffening up followed by a rather expensive repair bill.

Anyone on here had similar issues? I can't afford a newer model with the CR engine so it has to be the PD (if at all!)

Cheers,
Craig
 
Buy a 140 and have it remapped simples the 170`s are riddled with thiese injectr issues and audi / vag have tried to turn a blind eye on it.
 
Try and see if the one your looking at has had them changed as this should correct the issue. As i understand it was the loom that was at fault and if it's had new injector(s)then the loom is changed at the same time then all should be all good. Get it mapped and see the 140 dissapear behind you in a cloud of black :)
 
A good friend of mine had this happen last month to his 170pd s line a3 that he only bought 3 months ago. He lost all power on the motorway and got it to audi who then replaced one of the injectors to rectify the fault costing him about £800. 1 week later several more went on the motorway!!!

He took it back to Audi who then replaced them all for free after he went apesh*t at them for letting him drive it again without checking all the others for the same issue.

I guess they knew they should have replaced the loom that s3dave is talking about?

He now has them all replaced for £800 which is a bargain at the end of the day...
 
Okay, I'd kind of already put a deposit on a 2006 56 plate 170 A3 Quattro with 70K miles on the clock before posting this. According to the Audi garage who regularly serviced it, it's never had any injectors or the loom changed so it's now on borrowed time before the injectors start going pop.

I was planning on getting it serviced at an independent but looks like I'll have to fork out for Audi service to make sure I'm covered under the secret good will gesture that Audi central customer service have just denied knowing anything about.

I can walk away now and try and get the £500 deposit back which is unlikely, or buy a car I know it's only a matter of time before it lets me down (as Audi refused to pre-emptively fix it).

Cheers,
Craig
 
Craig I've got 170 and not had a problem mines an 07 with 52k on the clock. My moms also got a 170 56 plate shes owned from new not sure on the milage but shes had no issues either.
 
It's reassuring to see that there are those out there that haven't had any issues yet (touch wood) but I can't ignore the sheer scale of the reported issue and the dangerous nature of the failure (loss of engine power, power steering, assisted brakes at speed). The fact VOSA are sniffing around the issue must reflect it's fairly widespread.

I've always owned Vauxhall and the potential move to Audi was an attempt to buy into a more reliable brand. I'm thinking against the idea now after hearing about this issue and the fact VAG are doing a fix on fail until someone dies.
 
Whilst the failure is alarming and far too common. I wouldn't write the purchase off I read all about this in some depth and bought an 07 170 with 45k in late May.
The Motorway loss of power etc has to be kept in retrospect as to how many 170PD variants are out there hence there hasn't been a recall. I seem to remember a clio or similar that randomly set on fire and that happened to a lot of cars before it made watchdog and a recall happened!!.
From my understanding a lot of these issues occur during the first 3 years or even 3 months as above so an an 06 with 70k I would say if it's gunna happen it would have by now, as it's not as I understand to do with age/mileage of the affected parts.
If you are buying from a trader you'll get 3 months warranty as a minimum.
Up to you but any car can die at any time!
I'm no Audi technician and i'm sure more people on here will give you more info.
Also is it the issue of power loss or best part of 1k to fix that is the bug bear of most............ That is **** Poor on the Vorsprung front! If the issue is there then all injectors should be changed for a fair price! You wouldn't change a 1/4 of your cambelt and then wonder why it snapped!??
Also if the VOSA thing gains ground or it makes watchdog we may all end up with new parts for minimal cost!? Unlikely though knowing Audi UK.
 
Why dont you buy an extended warranty from the place you are buying it from so you are covered (IF their policy covers injectors ;))?

I wouldn't let this put you off moving from Vauxhall to an Audi, that's exactly what I did and I would never go back.
 
I realise all cars can have issues but it now feels like I'm buying a ticking time bomb.

I was planning on getting it serviced at an independent dealer, but Audi say the full "good will" gesture applies if you maintain full Audi service history.

There's the inconvenience of breaking down, which seems fairly likely, and being a Quattro I'll need to wait for someone in a van to come out look at it, realise they can't do anything before they send a flat bed.

Then there's the safety risk of having the car cut out on the motorway / twisty dual carriageways. I'd never be able to enjoy the car knowing it could cut out at any time and would always be holding back (whats the point of getting a 170 Quattro?).

The financials do come into it but at present I'm comfortable either the dealer I'm buying from or Audi would honour the repair. How long Audi do that for I'm not sure as Sales of Goods Act only allows for 6 years.

If Audi would replace pre-emptively then I wouldn't have any issues, but they confirmed its fix on fail.
 
Last edited:
Seems to me you have an unfortunate negative attitude to Audi's, stemming from what you have read. You have been advised that not all 170's have the problem you are concerned with. You have also been advised that a 140 re-mapped does not have the same problems and will be just as quick (see post #2).

You are still concerned and therefore, taking all things into account, just stick to Vauxhall! As you have always been a Vauxhall man they must have been reliable otherwise you would have changed brand earlier.

The most reliable brand according to the publications and breakdown services is Lexus so why don't you look at those ?
 
mike foster said:
Seems to me you have an unfortunate negative attitude to Audi's, stemming from what you have read. You have been advised that not all 170's have the problem you are concerned with. You have also been advised that a 140 re-mapped does not have the same problems and will be just as quick (see post #2).

You are still concerned and therefore, taking all things into account, just stick to Vauxhall! As you have always been a Vauxhall man they must have been reliable otherwise you would have changed brand earlier.

The most reliable brand according to the publications and breakdown services is Lexus so why don't you look at those ?
Click to expand...

Grumpy man! Relax mate its a worry handing over so much money on a car regardless of brand, I came from Vauxhall and never had any issues with any of them, I had seat's before that and again never an issue.

The only reason I bought an A3 170 quattro was because I wanted a diesel and that was the best looking value for money car I could find.

Touch wood no issues, its not great on fuel and slower than I'd hoped but its a superior drive and superior quality to both previous marquee's.
 
MOOSH said:
Grumpy man! Relax mate its a worry handing over so much money on a car regardless of brand, I came from Vauxhall and never had any issues with any of them, I had seat's before that and again never an issue.

The only reason I bought an A3 170 quattro was because I wanted a diesel and that was the best looking value for money car I could find.

Touch wood no issues, its not great on fuel and slower than I'd hoped but its a superior drive and superior quality to both previous marquee's.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input - yet another positive comment for the 170 !
 
mike foster said:
Seems to me you have an unfortunate negative attitude to Audi's, stemming from what you have read. You have been advised that not all 170's have the problem you are concerned with. You have also been advised that a 140 re-mapped does not have the same problems and will be just as quick (see post #2).

You are still concerned and therefore, taking all things into account, just stick to Vauxhall! As you have always been a Vauxhall man they must have been reliable otherwise you would have changed brand earlier.

The most reliable brand according to the publications and breakdown services is Lexus so why don't you look at those ?
Click to expand...

I've got no issues with Audi and think, in general, they make some nice reliable cars. I also realise VX aren't all that hence looking at a more premium brand. I just kind of wrongly assumed the premium brand would come with premium customer service and aftersales.

Also I've never dismissed the 140 + remap idea that was suggested and have started to search to see what's around, but what I'm debating here is whether to go for the 170 I've already put a deposit on. I realise 170's aren't all affected, but given the severity of the failure it's a clear concern, and has to be common / severe enough to attract the attention of VOSA.

A question to the 170 PD owners, would you have still bought your car knowing about the potential failure up front?
 
Last edited:
As you must have already realised, not all 170's have a problem. MOOSH has also just stated that he has not had any problems.

What is not always realised is that people who post on forums such as this, usually have a problem that they are hoping to get resolved. The millions (literally) who are not enthusiasts and have not had any problems are not represented on here. One does not post a thread on 'how good my car is and how pleased I am that I have had no problems'.

The chances are that the car you are hoping to buy will have no problems at all and will therefore be one of the 'millions' that are ok. There is a known problem with the 170 but there was also a problem with the 140 BKD engine 'porous head' situation. A lot of people posting on here have suffered from that problem but over 90% of cars with that engine were ok.

I really feel that you would be very unlucky if it was a 'bad' one and you should be positive in your thinking and final decision.

You have a much better chance that it will be ok than not ok.

Good luck and if you do go ahead I'm sure you will enjoy it.
 
mike foster said:
Thanks for your input - yet another positive comment for the 170 !
Click to expand...

So should we only comment on the good points?

To the OP they also have a dpf fitted on the exhaust system to lower emissions, its a general pain in the **** if you do town driving, also worth researching but I still bought mine knowing about the dpf and the injector issue, dnt let what you read on line put you off there are so many more cars sold to folks who are not on line...

I wouldnt worry mate its the luck of the draw and all make of car and engine types have their issues...
 
mike foster said:
As you must have already realised, not all 170's have a problem. MOOSH has also just stated that he has not had any problems.

What is not always realised is that people who post on forums such as this, usually have a problem that they are hoping to get resolved. The millions (literally) who are not enthusiasts and have not had any problems are not represented on here. One does not post a thread on 'how good my car is and how pleased I am that I have had no problems'.

The chances are that the car you are hoping to buy will have no problems at all and will therefore be one of the 'millions' that are ok. There is a known problem with the 170 but there was also a problem with the 140 BKD engine 'porous head' situation. A lot of people posting on here have suffered from that problem but over 90% of cars with that engine were ok.

I really feel that you would be very unlucky if it was a 'bad' one and you should be positive in your thinking and final decision.

You have a much better chance that it will be ok than not ok.

Good luck and if you do go ahead I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Click to expand...

Totally agree, my vxr had nearly 90k on it and had I believed what I read online I wouldn't have bought it as according to the forums the gearboxs and turbo dnt last after 60k, which is rubbish...

My A3 has 87k on it and touch wood no injector issues, it has fash which may help!

I find if you pook after a car it will look after you, go for it mate they are fantastic cars and handle pike no other car I've driven!
 
MOOSH said:
To the OP they also have a dpf fitted on the exhaust system to lower emissions, its a general pain in the **** if you do town driving, also worth researching but I still bought mine knowing about the dpf and the injector issue, dnt let what you read on line put you off there are so many more cars sold to folks who are not on line...

I wouldnt worry mate its the luck of the draw and all make of car and engine types have their issues...
Click to expand...

Spot on MOOSH- that's just what I've said !

And by the way you can delete the DPF if you want to resolve that problem !
 
mike foster said:
Spot on MOOSH- that's just what I've said !

And by the way you can delete the DPF if you want to resolve that problem !
Click to expand...

Yeah we wrote it at the same time, your is better explained :thumbsup:

I think my dpf has had enough, my issue mike is no one does the delete pipe for the quattro, and who's the boys to map it??

prices vary so much, I have either jbs or shark in my mind at the moment and I remove the dpf inners myself...

what's your advice mate?
 
MOOSH said:
Yeah we wrote it at the same time, your is better explained :thumbsup:

I think my dpf has had enough, my issue mike is no one does the delete pipe for the quattro, and who's the boys to map it??

prices vary so much, I have either jbs or shark in my mind at the moment and I remove the dpf inners myself...

what's your advice mate?
Click to expand...

I have a 140 and therefore don't have the dpf problem. However, my local VAG specialist is looking into the same problem on an A4 and I'm seeing him tomorrow re something else.

I will try and remember to ask him for his advice and report back.
 
mike foster said:
I have a 140 and therefore don't have the dpf problem. However, my local VAG specialist is looking into the same problem on an A4 and I'm seeing him tomorrow re something else.

I will try and remember to ask him for his advice and report back.
Click to expand...

That would be very much appreciated mike thanks, helpful for the OP to...
 
Didnt a lot of the 140's have turbo issues though ? so not much a safer option there
 
FWIW, I had a 56-plate 170PD for four years and had never even heard of this problem before now. The turbo was whining a bit by the time it went back though.

If this is an inherent fault, and it sounds like there's more than enough evidence that it is, then the warranty period doesn't apply and Audi would be required by law to fix the problem free of charge. Of course the more inherent and thus widespread such a fault is, the more Audi would resist any such gestures as they don't want to set a precedent and admit that the fault is inherent.
 
I've made my mind up and decided not to go ahead with the purchase pending the results of the VOSA investigation which is currently ongoing, but if I see a 09 170 with the CR engine, or an earlier 140 I'll still be tempted. The safety aspect of the potential failure was my primary reason, but I appreciate the feedback everyone gave.

Someone on another forum, If I remember the gist correctly, theorised that the injectors tend to go during the DPF regeneration cycle combined with accelerating hard shortly after as the already super hot engine gets even hotter still. As the injectors + loom are in the combustion chamber they can't cope with the extra heat.

That's why it doesn't effect everyone as it depends on driving style, age of the car, type of journey, etc. i.e. depending how / what journeys you drive the DPF might rarely need regenerating hence you'd never get the problem.

It could also explain why the 140 PD isn't affected as I understood that doesn't have DPF.
 
Last edited:
Injector issues aren't just inherent to Audi or just the 170 engine, Merc go through injector like a fat kid with a mars bar.
On our latest engine recant get gold of the latest injectors as there is a fault with them world wide, this is well known through the commercial vehicle industry but that first stop companies buying then in 10'a or 100's.

DPF issues are in every single manufacturers range as know one drives the vehicle correctly when it has a DPF fitted!!
DPF vehicle requires driving hard to keep the DPF clean and thus not creating excessive back pressure on the turbo and extra heat causing piston failure or injectors shorting out.

Even with the known issues, I'd go out and buy and Audi over a vauxall any day!!
 
I've got a 56-plate 170PD.

Had problems with the DPF in the early days, but seems to have been resolved with an engine remap at its first service. Have also stuck with low sulphur fuel, which other forum members were sceptical about.

Injector went today -> sudden engine failure, while in fast lane on M1. Now at Audi, awaiting repair.

If its all fixed - properly - its a keeper.
 
yep my injector went went last monday !!!!, glad i wasnt doing any fast speeds or it could of been a messy one !! shocking how you lose all power!. luckily i know a vag technician who does my work on car , rang him straight away and was quoted 400 quid straight off , got a call back off him as he used to work at local audi dealers saying he was going to see if there was any recalls on them as its a know problem !, no recalls but a few wink winks and a nudge and i got it done for nothing (very,very lucky ) they did it as a goodwill gesture but if it wasnt for me mate i would of had to pay !!!, it was injector 2 that was the problem and my car is a 07 plate 170 . my friend had the a4 170 and had the same problem he had to pay nearly 900 quid !
 
My car came up with the p2146 injector error on monday night, was towed to audi dealer and had the injector loom replaced yesterday and audi have picked up the bill. Was told that there is an update on their internal systems that say audi will goodwill 100% of the cost for cars with the bkm and bnr engine code if you have this problem with the injectors or loom.
 
DaveA3-TDI said:
My car came up with the p2146 injector error on monday night, was towed to audi dealer and had the injector loom replaced yesterday and audi have picked up the bill. Was told that there is an update on their internal systems that say audi will goodwill 100% of the cost for cars with the bkm and bnr engine code if you have this problem with the injectors or loom.
Click to expand...

Very interesting!!
 
After reporting this problem to VOSA they called me yesterday to say that they have had a meeting with the VAG group last friday and that I shouldn't wait until the injectors fail as they are apparently faulty I should phone Audi customer services back and demand that they change all 4 injectors as it is now a known issue and to mention that VOSA are in contact with me. I thought it would be a waste of time trying that with Audi as the injectors are still working at the moment but what a result as Audi phoned me back 30 mins later to tell me that they have authorised my local dealer to replace all 4 injectors as well FOC.
It is certainly worth reporting the problem to VOSA if it happens to you.
 
DaveA3-TDI said:
After reporting this problem to VOSA they called me yesterday to say that they have had a meeting with the VAG group last friday and that I shouldn't wait until the injectors fail as they are apparently faulty I should phone Audi customer services back and demand that they change all 4 injectors as it is now a known issue and to mention that VOSA are in contact with me. I thought it would be a waste of time trying that with Audi as the injectors are still working at the moment but what a result as Audi phoned me back 30 mins later to tell me that they have authorised my local dealer to replace all 4 injectors as well FOC.
It is certainly worth reporting the problem to VOSA if it happens to you.
Click to expand...

So you called Audi UK or your local dealer??
 
Sorry I called Audi UK to explain the situation originally and then 30 mins later Audi UK rang me back to say that the work has been authorised and that my local dealer would then be contacting me to arrange a time to book the car in. About an hour later my local dealer did then call me and the car is booked in for next week to be done.
 
How the hell can we go about doing this then, i've haven't got any fault codes but I know my hard starting from cold is the injectors leaking off too much.
 
I never had any cold starting problems, just suffered the engine cutting out whilst driving along a dual carriageway which has been reported by other people as well.
 
I had this problem back in April and had fied VOSA report.

Get a call today from Audi UK informing me to email a copy of the invoice ( even tho independant garage ) and a full refund will be issued along with car booked in at main dealer to have all of the Injectors and loom replaced at no cost to myself.

I smell a recall coming out very soon for those that haven't had the problem very soon.
 
If you look on the A4 B7 part of this forum you will see that Audi have now agreed to change injectors and loom FOC after VOSA kicked them in to touch. Think this happened last Friday 23/06/11. Don't know if they will change them as a matter of course but will do if there is a problem.
 
just a quick update! Got an email from VOSA this morning telling me that both the 170 & the 140 engines are affected! They gave me a tel no to contact VAG Customer Service on 0800699888 and ask for Victoria Carter or Isabelle Lindley. I did this & they're raising an investigation & also are going to contact the Audi dealership I took my car into, to get me a refund.:yahoo:
Will keep everyone posted. Remember both engines are affected not just the 170 like 1st thought.
Fight them all the way!:angrymod:
 
leecool said:
just a quick update! Got an email from VOSA this morning telling me that both the 170 & the 140 engines are affected! They gave me a tel no to contact VAG Customer Service on 0800699888 and ask for Victoria Carter or Isabelle Lindley. I did this & they're raising an investigation & also are going to contact the Audi dealership I took my car into, to get me a refund.:yahoo:
Will keep everyone posted. Remember both engines are affected not just the 170 like 1st thought.
Fight them all the way!:angrymod:
Click to expand...

Have you got the email stating the 140 is affected?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
170 PD remaps
Replies
1
Views
817
T3nnant
T3nnant
A
170 injector recall........
Replies
6
Views
2K
RallyX
R
G
TDI PD 170 Acceleration
Replies
6
Views
2K
Marek196c
Marek196c
dazjenks
Pd 170 engine cover
Replies
3
Views
749
dazjenks
dazjenks
tdi-man
pd 170 head on a pd 140 block
Replies
0
Views
635
tdi-man
tdi-man
Top
Back