philpatton Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Every once in a while my A3 TDi 170 idles when stationary upto 1000rpm. It normally sits around 800rpm. The engine is normally at temp or thereabouts when it happens. When I set off, the diesel rumble is very noticable upto around 2ooorpm, then quietens down again as I go through the rev range. If i slow down for a corner, the rumble returns. I had the bonnet open tonight and noticed something clicking, but it wasn't the fan. The dealers have plugged in the Ding Dang Do computer thing, but there is no fault codes. Any ideas.........anyone........please...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Not had an uneven or high idle on mine, nor clicking noises. What I have had on a few odd occasions is where the engine suddenly sounds really rough and "agricultural", the sort of traditional noise you expect from an old diesel rather than a new one. Only happened a few times and doesn't last long, when it did happen it seemed to be on part throttle, if you gave it some beans it quietened down again. Not happened for a month or more now so maybe it's settled down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Hmm, just been doing it again, seems totally random. Bit more info on this: When it happens, it's purely noise levels that increase, there is no increased vibration from the engine at all. The car also seems to hesitate a little under light acceleration, which is when the noise is most apparent. Heavy acceleration seems to be fine and the noise disappears when you stamp on it. From reading around it appears that hesitant acceleration on part throttle is one of the symptoms of an EGR valve sticking open but everywhere I've read this also states that you'd get an uneven idle too, which I don't. Does this rule out a stuck EGR or is it possible to get this but without the uneven idle? When it does happen it seems to be when the engine isn't fully warmed through (although not necessarily stone cold). It's possible that this behaviour is normal but I've not seen anyone else report it. Two dealers I spoke to said they'd never had this reported but then do you believe them and would most people even bother to report it if it happened that infrequently? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a3malawimatt Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 I get it on part throttle and when the engine is cold. but once warmed up and out of first or second gear it usually goes away. Can be annoying though. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJLarge Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Not had an uneven or high idle on mine, nor clicking noises. What I have had on a few odd occasions is where the engine suddenly sounds really rough and "agricultural", the sort of traditional noise you expect from an old diesel rather than a new one. Only happened a few times and doesn't last long, when it did happen it seemed to be on part throttle, if you gave it some beans it quietened down again. Not happened for a month or more now so maybe it's settled down. [/ QUOTE ] This could just be a vibration somewhere. Is your plastic engine cover able to move at all? My brother's Clio 172 did this until he ripped it off. Problem solved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philpatton Posted February 14, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 The noise/rumble happened again this morning, but by the time I got to work the noise had disappeared. It sounds like you are experiencing the same rumble I am getting. I'll speak to my dealer tomorrow, who is very good you don't get may people saying that) and post what they say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 a3malawimatt: Actually reassuring to hear it's not just me - maybe just a facet of the engine when it's cold. Powerphil: yeah, let us know anything you find out, as I said both dealers I spoke to just scratched their heads but then it's never happened whilst the car has been at the dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a3malawimatt Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 its definately not an engine cover loose, its the sound of a tractor or old diesel. think it is just the engine warming up. Will be interested to hear what the dealer has to say. Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallboy Posted February 15, 2007 Report Share Posted February 15, 2007 Happened to me after I had had the car for about 3 weeks. Actually did it after a restart having just done 30 or so miles, bizarre. Not done it in the next 4000 miles though. Sounded awful, even the Wife commented on it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted February 15, 2007 Report Share Posted February 15, 2007 Just had it again. Very interesting comment about the restart as both today and yesterday it happened after a short drive. Popped out to lunch so short trip, then when I came back it happened. It's definitely more than a noise - acceleration is very stuttery. If you sit and just rev the engine it sounds rough and there's a brief stutter as the revs rise. On the move the sound is worse and it's very stuttery when you really boot it a bit, taking a couple of seconds to knuckle down and "go". Bet it'll be fine again come home time, as it was yesterday. Powerphil: please post back what joy you have with the dealer as most will just check for fault codes, find none (probably) and say "nowt we can do". With the exception of the idle, which isn't lumpy or noisy, it sounds like an EGR valve problem to me, maybe suggest that to them and also mention that others are having similar issues? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philpatton Posted February 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2007 Didn't get around to phoning the dealer. Does sound like there may be an inherant problem. I'll call tomorrow and post with their answer. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted February 15, 2007 Report Share Posted February 15, 2007 Well after nothing for weeks I've now had it yesterday lunchtime, today at lunchtime and today on the way home! I'm actually hoping it starts happening all the time as at least I can then show the dealer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted February 16, 2007 Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 Car is now booked in for next Friday - we'll see if they find anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philpatton Posted February 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 I phoned the dealers today and spoke to the Workshop Manager. He isn't aware of any problems on the A3 like the one described, but he is aware of issues on the A6 EGR. What he has said is that if anyone else reports the problem, then he will send a tech report along with a diagnosis print out through to Audi and get them on it. Keep the comments coming. Vertigo1 - Let us know what they find out!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted February 16, 2007 Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 Will do. Which dealer are you using out of interest? The EGR is still my prime suspect but I'm guessing really. Someone I know suggested it might be something to do with the DPF, specifically the regeneration process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philpatton Posted February 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 I am using Doncaster Audi. Been a customer of theirs since 2004. When I phone up, they know me by name!! If any other dealer told me what they said today I'd be " Yeah right.....can't be bothered!" So I do have faith. What is a DPF?? It strikes me as odd that a number of people have the problem, but Audi don't know anything about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h5djr Posted February 16, 2007 Report Share Posted February 16, 2007 DPF is Diesel Particle Filter - fitted to the 170 engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted February 23, 2007 Report Share Posted February 23, 2007 Well it went in today and the dealer found... Nothing. Can't say I'm surprised. Ho hum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted March 2, 2007 Report Share Posted March 2, 2007 Me again Happened yesterday on the way home but I noticed something very interesting. The engine had fully warmed through by the time I got home but the noise was still there. Turned ignition off, waiting a minute and then started the car again and it was gone! Completely gone! This suggests it's electronics related rather than mechanical. Just thought I'd mention it so that, if any of you have the problem again, you can try the above and report back if this solves it for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo1 Posted March 12, 2007 Report Share Posted March 12, 2007 Anyone got any more news or experiences on this? Still happening to me now and then and a restart often cures it though not always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h5djr Posted March 13, 2007 Report Share Posted March 13, 2007 No problems with the idle on my 170 at the moment. Starts and settles at around 800rpm and stays there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heathorn3 Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Hi guys. I have the exact same intermitant problem on my 170 - comes and goes at random (mostly when the engine is part warm). Went to the dealers and as others have reported 'no fault found'. Would really like to get to the bottom of it - the engine sounds and feels very rough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 Hoping my car which is to be collected on Sat doesnt do this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heathorn3 Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 I've continued to have this problem on my A3 170Tdi since it was new and the car has now been back to the dealers three times - on each visit no fault was found. However I've now been told Audi issued a technical bulletin on 7th April relating to the A3 170Tdi S-tronic model which describes the symptoms reported here. It says the cause is the regeneration phase of the diesal particulate filter and describes it as a normal function of the vehicle emission systems. I don't know about you - but I don't fancy living with a car that sounds like a transit van every few days and drives badly to boot. I am extremely unhappy at the response and plan to take it up with Audi Customer Services. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edo Posted April 19, 2007 Report Share Posted April 19, 2007 interesting. Got a 170 Sline (07) s-tronic. Not had this on mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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