Chat Hello Fellow Audi A2 Owners

DV04RLU

DV04RLU

A2OC Donor
Hi, how are you all ?
Hope you are well.

Just purchased an 04 A2 FSi 1.6 Storm Red.. but its a week old and the Engine Coolant light has come on.. anyone got any suggestions on the easiest/cheapest way to get this issue resolved. I am not a DIY mechanic therefore all my maintenance is via a local garage. I'm loving the car so far, but would like to have a 'worry' free ownership for as long as possible. ;) ..

I would also like to upgrade this car and would welcome suggestions from fellow A2 owners.

I am based in Gloucestershire

Look forward to your responses.

Take Care

H
 
Hi H,

Welcome to the A2OC. :)

The coolant light generally comes on for two reasons: either the coolant level is low, or the coolant level sensor is on the blink.
Making a diagnosis is easy, as long as you know how to take the bonnet off an A2.

Open the bonnet. In the top-right-hand corner of the engine bay, you'll find the coolant expansion tank; it's a sphere with a cap and a few bits of tubing.
The coolant level should be somewhere between the min and max lines indicated on the side of the tank. If it's below the min line, then that's why the warning light has come on.

If, however, the coolant level seems to be just fine, then chances are that the level sensor has died, meaning the car thinks the coolant level is low when it's not. The sensor is integrated into the expansion tank and cannot be replaced on its own; a new tank is needed. They're not a hugely expensive part.

DV04RLU said:
I'm loving the car so far, but would like to have a 'worry' free ownership for as long as possible.
Click to expand...

I'm pleased to hear that you're enchanted by your A2 already. However, whilst I don't wish to tempt fate or sound like a terrible pessimist, the 1.6FSI is the most troublesome of all the A2 variants. Hopefully you'll have many years of easy motoring, but be prepared for a big bill from time to time.
You can keep many of its foibles at bay by running it on premium fuel, like Shell's V-Power. The FSI was designed to run on high-octane fuel and you'll ultimately fork out more by not doing so.
Read all you can about the FSI on this forum. Coil packs, intake manifolds, etc. Also be aware that the FSI effectively has two timing belts, both of which need to be replaced periodically. Many an FSI has gone pop due to this being overlooked by ignorant garages.

DV04RLU said:
I would also like to upgrade this car and would welcome suggestions from fellow A2 owners.
Click to expand...

Many A2s on this forum have been upgraded in many different ways. The possibilities are almost endless. I suggest you live with it for a while before deciding where you think it needs further refinement. Harsh suspension is the most common complaint.

All the best,

Tom
 
Hi

Thanks for taking time out to update me on the perils of the Fsi..

Its already on the operating table as I type this, as the doc, says there is a coolant leak...boo hoo.!! home the medical bill is not too big ;(

My Spidey senses are tingling with fear, with the 'be prepared for a hefty bill' Have I just started dating a high maintenance woman???

What does one do.? is the Tdi more realiable..? please advise, help and support.. .
 
DV04RLU said:
Hi

Thanks for taking time out to update me on the perils of the Fsi..

Its already on the operating table as I type this, as the doc, says there is a coolant leak...boo hoo.!! home the medical bill is not too big ;(

My Spidey senses are tingling with fear, with the 'be prepared for a hefty bill' Have I just started dating a high maintenance woman???

What does one do.? is the Tdi more realiable..? please advise, help and support.. .
Click to expand...

Dont worry too much...it could just be a perished pipe (ours had the same issue)

The TDi is the preferred model but the FSi is fun.....but does need care :)

Upgrades are available but only the more cosmetic ie: Wheels, body kit, handling etc...engine upgrades are very few and far between from what I can gather...but the 1.6 does not need much to make it go quick :)
 
DV04RLU said:
...is the Tdi more reliable..?
Click to expand...

Yes! The TDI75 is widely considered to be the most reliable of the A2s, with the FSI at the other end of the list.

What does one do? Well, that's your choice. There are members here who run the FSI because they like its smoothness, or its 7k rpm rev range, or its 110bhp. In the hands of an enthusiast who keeps a meticulous eye on things, the FSI can be a great car. However, when a new thread is started about engine troubles, more often than not it's related to an FSI.

I'd like an FSI guru to come along and talk to you about ownership... Mike English, that's your cue! My TDI-bias is well known, but also well justified. :)

Cheers,

Tom
 
Welcome :)

Be careful about looking at mods/retrofit options, they're probably the biggest cause of expense for an A2 :p

It's not that the FSI will be forever giving problems, it's just that the bits that do go are on the pricey side, so it's worth researching them. Bear in mind you will always find a huge amount problems mentioned on any forum such as this, that's the point of them ;) If I had an FSI, I wouldn't be worried every time I drove it, I'd just start an A2 fund to use if (if) something goes (I do that with any car anyway).
The A2 does worm it's way into your affections, I've found it's the sort of car people keep because they want to, not because they have to.
 
timmus said:
... or its 7k rpm rev range, or its 110bhp ...
Click to expand...

As a 1.4 petrol owner I can only dream of this :eek:
VAG made another car with a 100bhp 1.6 and a 2400mm wheelbase. It was quite popular and you may have heard of it, it was the mk1 Golf GTI ;)
 
DV04RLU said:
What does one do...?
Click to expand...

Yes, as nuttinnew mentions, you needn't be worrying every time you drive it. Just be prepared for it to raid your piggy bank from time to time.

Before considering switching to a TDI, it's worth thinking about whether the TDI would suit your use of the vehicle. The petrol-powered A2s (both the 1.4 and FSI) are more suited to short journeys. The TDI takes about 10 miles to reach optimum temperature, so if you're using it primarily for a short commute, it's perhaps not for you. As a motorway cruiser, though, the TDI is excellent and exceptionally efficient.

The TDI does, of course, also have its problems; it is a mechanical device, after all. Turbo boost leaks due to a split intercooler is probably the most common. However, once fixed, you're more likely to get trouble-free motoring, year after year. The coolant temp senders can also die, but at £30 that's hardly an issue.

If you let us know how you use your car, we'll be in a better position to advise on what'd be best for you.

Tom
 
Hello Every one..

firstly thank you all very much for taking time out to comment on this thread.

I was going to go for a TDi initially, but was dissuaded by the dealer, as I don't generally drive a lot of miles during the week, commute is like 10 minutes to work... although would like to shorten that still.. My trips are work 10 minutes each way and perhaps one long trip a month..

This work is going to cost about £350..I think perhaps more..

Oh well... lets see how I get on after this..

next month the Alloys need attention..
 
Yeah, 10 minutes each way would be rough on a TDI (particularly in winter), since it would only just have heated up by the time you arrived at your destination. Perhaps the 1.4 petrol would be a good choice in that case?
 
For coolant leak the most common cause is a £3 rubber grommet that is replaceble on the temp engine sensor.
You need nimble fingers to replace, but its an easy fix.
If leak is gradual I would bet a fiver that this is your cause.
If leak is big then it is likely a pipe burst/snapped.
£350 sounds like a hell of a lot for the jobwithout a clear cause.
 
Hi just to add to the points others have raised in relation to coolant loss on an fsi ---- the heater feed pipes are prone to weeping along with the plastic "y" pieces that are on the small pipes from the expansion tank area. I have seen a couple of water pump failures lately -in fact my one was loosing some coolant from the pump at the last service.
I have a project fsi that we bought with engine cooked. On inspection the large plastic pipe that connects the rear of the water pump to the thermostat had split resulting in one very cooked head.

The figure of £350 does sound high unless they are replacing the thermostat(big item as its the integrated housing) this is not an easy job.
hope you get it sorted soon cheers mike
 
OK

so picked up the car last night and there is hole in my pocket for £600+.. Ouch.boo hoo!!. still hurts but could not move car to another garage etc.. A lesson learnt I guess..
A large coolant pipe was £150, Oil Sensor at £50.. etc
 
Should have also been sold some local anesthetic ! Wow but it's sorted now enjoy. Cheers mike
 
Thanks yo'all for all your comments and updates.

Let's hope the bills are smaller than this one next time... Will have to source another garage and soon. LOL
 
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