A2 specialists?

coola2

Member
I have an A2 1.4 tdi 75(bhp?) which is probably remapped / tuned

Are there any A2 specific specialists ?
Doesn’t particularly have to be a garage
Maybe a forum member that likes to work on them? Or a handy mechanic who knows a thing (or a thousand) about them!

I have an A2 with an array of random things that may need doing. I feel like it’s a bit of a specialist car to get everything right and would like to start by taking it to someone who actually knows about them.

At the moment, the car has been starting, running, and driving absolutely fine (within reason!) but there are a list of jobs I would like to try and tick off in terms of maintenance.

A couple of examples may be as follows:

I have an ABS/traction(?) light on, replaced the fault-code related one but same error still shows (mechanic suggesting could be wiring ?)

I think my fuel pump (or something in that department) might be leaking

May have a wheel bearing issue (or something related)

Sometimes the car smokes a little on startup when very stone cold (was told this is normal, not too sure really!)

Sometimes the AC/heating panel stops working (but always eventually starts working again)

Suspension possibly shagged..! Seems very violent over bumps but no obvious knocking or dodgy noises (other than the “maybe” wheel bearing)

Up until now I have been living with the “issues” and they don’t cause me any problems when driving, but I feel like it’s about time to actually address them.

I know and understand that with all the issues added up and repaired it’s not going to be pennies. Would like to start trying to fix things in a (necessary to me) specific order.

It’s not my main car, so I don’t really care too much about it, but I enjoy driving it and don’t fancy scrapping it off, or even selling it! Seems worth more kept running and driving as and when needed :)

I am located in West Hertfordshire
 
The A2's charms do tend to keep it in the ownerships of car-minded people, once it has had the good fortune to land with its first such owner. They're just too much fun to pass on :) You'll like it even more once you've had it fixed!

The closest well-recommended outfit to you would be B&F Autos in Hounslow. Gary there knows the A2 well.

A more centrally-located and widely regarded specialist is WOM Automotive in Uttoxeter, Staffs. Rob @chumsofmanutd is a member on here and he and his brother Marcus (he of the magic hands) cover everything from servicing to major rebuilds.

Back to your original suggestion, I'm sure there will be members who are mechanically able not too far from London. I'm not one of them though :oops: so I'll let them post up with any suggestions and/or offers. But I will say that if your current diagnostic device isn't a laptop running VCDS through a decent cable, you'd be well advised to make that switch. There is plenty of info on here as to where to get VCDS and which cable to acquire, and several members who are very familiar with the software and its output.
 
A warm recommendation for Gary at B&F Autos in West Hounslow, knows his way around the a2 and doesn't charge stupid money.

Not affiliated, merely a "happy camper"

Qhite useful geographically as in West Hounslow tube is a 5 minute walk from the garage.
 
Thanks for the suggestions,

I have access to VCDS

west hounslow sounds like the nearest one so far (with raving reviews already!)
It’s prob an hour away from me.

Will hold out for a short while to see if anyone nearer pops up, would prefer closer if possible, as don’t want the inconvenience of travelling back and forth if it can be avoided!

Hopefully can end up with someone who knows the A2 and specifically the tdi version inside out, so we can eliminate some of these silly issues.

Appreciate it :)
 
With regards to your car smoking on startup, from cold try turning the ignition on/off 3-4 times without starting the car & each time wait for the glow plug light to go out, the smoking should stop which points out that one or two of your glow plugs need replacing.
Mine was doing that in the cold last year, replaced all 3 glow plugs, it was sorted. ( when glow plugs removed 2 were very high impediance )
i.e waiting for the chamber to get heated to burn the fuel upon combustion.
hope this helps,
Cheers,
Ami
 
With regards to your car smoking on startup, from cold try turning the ignition on/off 3-4 times without starting the car & each time wait for the glow plug light to go out, the smoking should stop which points out that one or two of your glow plugs need replacing.
Mine was doing that in the cold last year, replaced all 3 glow plugs, it was sorted. ( when glow plugs removed 2 were very high impediance )
i.e waiting for the chamber to get heated to burn the fuel upon combustion.
hope this helps,
Cheers,
Ami
Thanks for that, there are so many small issues with the car that I want to fix, I think you are right with the glow plugs being one of them, as it doesn’t do this every time the car is started. Usually from stone cold and worse when it’s been left for a week or so without being touched!

Thank you for the suggestion (basically a reminder!)
 
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