A2 Tdi Breakdown

Neil C

Member
Don't suppose any of you guys are around Heathrow area? Travelling down with a friend...overnighting at Heathrow and her A2 has broken down as she came off the M3 onto the M25...loss of power and then failed to restart....Green Flag driver doesn't sound like much of a mechanic..but thinks it's possibly the Fuel pump...initially he suggested the battery and then didn't know how to get under the bonnet...then couldn't find the battery ? We're around for 24/48hrs...anyone nearby able to help with diagnostics or a repair would be much appreciated...obviously willing to pay the going rate ?. Not getting any fuel apparently ?
 
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Sorry I am nowhere near to help you. A couple of questions. Is there good diesel in the tank? Is the fuel filter old or clogged? Does it fire then die, or rough idle but no power? Is the cam belt intact - other end of cam drives the tandem pump. Are the brakes dead?

Try starting the engine with the fuel cap off.

Can you clarify year and engine type to help others help you.

Other than that hopefully a member far nearer can assist you.

Perhaps @Sarge @Birchall may know someone near enough.
 
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Thank you @audifan ... It turns over and doesn't fire (tries to with easy start apparently)...its 02 plate 1.4tdi. Had the tank filled 100 miles prior to breaking down (My A2 filled at the same time at the same garage) Filters and everything changed not 1000 miles ago...haven't tried starting it with the fuel cap off ?...battery is now dead ?
 
Apart from fuel pump, could a fuel injector loom issue give a similar effect @audifan ? I don't know what the failure mode is for this when it goes bad ie., does it lose one cylinder only to give rough running or does it take out the whole thing in one go? I had a dud fuel pump and it ran but took a while turning over to start (pulling the diesel back up the pipes) and obviously there was diesel gently seeping down the end of the engine block ; this doesn't sound the same.
 
Apart from fuel pump, could a fuel injector loom issue give a similar effect @audifan ? I don't know what the failure mode is for this when it goes bad ie., does it lose one cylinder only to give rough running or does it take out the whole thing in one go? I had a dud fuel pump and it ran but took a while turning over to start (pulling the diesel back up the pipes) and obviously there was diesel gently seeping down the end of the engine block ; this doesn't sound the same.
My injector harness failure caused the car to drop into limp mode. Restarting reset it and it ran a while before going into limp mode again.
 
Did Green Flag read the fault codes?
I've never experienced anything as bad as this. My gut reaction is fuel starvation but I can't think how that could be. Had similar but less severe issues from a failing cam sensor. The codes need reading.
 
Thank you @audifan ... It turns over and doesn't fire (tries to with easy start apparently)...its 02 plate 1.4tdi. Had the tank filled 100 miles prior to breaking down (My A2 filled at the same time at the same garage) Filters and everything changed not 1000 miles ago...haven't tried starting it with the fuel cap off ?...battery is now dead ?
Try un plugging the camshaft sensor it may have failed , it will run with it unplugged but takes longer to find the position it’s at via the crankshaft sensor.
Have you opened the cam belt cover & inspected the cam belt mine lost 32 teeth but tried to start on AA easistart method & I only found the stripped section after the AA towed me home,
Hope that helps.
Keith.
 
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Did Green Flag read the fault codes?
I've never experienced anything as bad as this. My gut reaction is fuel starvation but I can't think how that could be. Had similar but less severe issues from a failing cam sensor. The codes need reading.
They didn't plug it in at all...he banged the fuel tank...squirted easy start in the intake....turned it over....killed the battery.....towed it to the hotel
 
Try in plugging the camshaft sensor it may have failed , it will run with it unplugged but takes longer to find the position it’s at via the crankshaft sensor.
Have you opened the cam belt cover & inspected the cam belt mine lost 32 teeth but tried to start on AA easistart method & I only found the stripped section after the towed me home,
Hope that helps.
Keith.
Unfortunately I'm at a hotel with zero tools....going into London today and then more than likely sorting recovery from the hotel in the morning ?
 
You need somebody with VCDS software on their laptop to read the codes. A mobile auto electrician may have a suitable scanner.
 
Unfortunately I'm at a hotel with zero tools....going into London today and then more than likely sorting recovery from the hotel in the morning ?
if your happy to pay call Gary or John from B&F Autos......they are just down the road in Hounslow and normally mobile.They know the A2 inside out.
Parmjit
 
Unfortunately it is indeed an interference engine. Options range from a complete replacement engine, replacement head / pistons or just replacing the bent valves with minor piston damage that may not need replacement. All now comes down to costs,experience and replacement availability.
Whatever it will need to to examined and obviously new cambelt and water pump plus tensioner.
 
The guys came out and had a look...the timing belt has lost a load of teeth...so chances are its totalled ?
Not necessarily totalled only thing wrong on mine was a snapped injector spring retainer, exactly the same symptoms so may be repairable if you like diy spannering.
Hope that helps
Keith.
 
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