Chat Hi from a hot Hertfordshire

[diarmuidmacdonald]

I've recently joined, although I've had an A2 1.6 FSi for around 6 years.
It has had its share of niggles over the years but is still fun to drive and gives great MPG on a decent journey.
Audi really created an iconic little car back in the day, didn't they.
I'm wondering whether A2 owners think that the diesel is better than the petrol or the other way round.
I was told not to get a diesel as we don't do enough long journeys - but the FSi engine has had its share of problems, so I've never been sure.

 

[PlasticMac]

I've recently joined, although I've had an A2 1.6 FSi for around 6 years.
It has had its share of niggles over the years but is still fun to drive and gives great MPG on a decent journey.
Audi really created an iconic little car back in the day, didn't they.
I'm wondering whether A2 owners think that the diesel is better than the petrol or the other way round.
I was told not to get a diesel as we don't do enough long journeys - but the FSi engine has had its share of problems, so I've never been sure.

You definitely made the right choice of car and engine
Mac.

 

[diarmuidmacdonald]

I've enjoyed driving it, but sometimes the guy who works on it for me complains about access to parts of the engine.
Also - I have a mysterious water leak that we can't find even when we pressure tested the system!
And the EML sometimes comes on with spurious codes (like misfiring when we are pretty certain it isn't misfiring) and I think there may be an earth problem somewhere!

 

[Proghound]

Welcome to the forum You're now one of my closest neighbour members, I'm in Chesham most evenings/weekends. Mine are both TDI75's, I wouldn't go anywhere else realistically if you just want something that just works without issue every time you turn the key. You're welcome to pop over for a look and drive out one evening if you like, mini-socials are always good

 

[PlasticMac]

I've enjoyed driving it, but sometimes the guy who works on it for me complains about access to parts of the engine.
Also - I have a mysterious water leak that we can't find even when we pressure tested the system!
And the EML sometimes comes on with spurious codes (like misfiring when we are pretty certain it isn't misfiring) and I think there may be an earth problem somewhere!

Have you replaced the cap on the coolant reservoir? They get old, and leak when hot.
What scan tool does your mechanic use?
Mac.

 

[diarmuidmacdonald]

Have you replaced the cap on the coolant reservoir? They get old, and leak when hot.
What scan tool does your mechanic use?
Mac.

There has been a thought about the coolant reservoir cap - I never find any water leaking, yet some ends up on the undertray. It didn't leak in a recent pressure test. I will have to wrap the coolant tank in something and see if it gets wet after a drive.

I don't know what scan tool he uses - previously he has been able to find a lot of fault codes from the A2 - all kind of craziness - apparently misfires in three cylinders (not true), faults with the door locks, fault in the airbag and other stuff.

I think what is really happening is one of the control boxes is not working properly and throwing up a load of incorrect codes. We've wondered about a faulty earth cable connection as well (I used to have a car who's dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree when an earth cable was rusted).

 

[diarmuidmacdonald]

Welcome to the forum You're now one of my closest neighbour members, I'm in Chesham most evenings/weekends. Mine are both TDI75's, I wouldn't go anywhere else realistically if you just want something that just works without issue every time you turn the key. You're welcome to pop over for a look and drive out one evening if you like, mini-socials are always good

Hi - thanks for getting in touch. My A2 is not entirely well at the moment, and if I can't sort it out, it may well be sold! I hope not - although it demands the most expensive fuel (E5 - old FSi engine) and so, even if it mechanically behaves itself, I may try and swap it for a cheaper runner.

Will be a shame as I do like the car a lot. I get the feeling that Diesel engines are more reliable. What do you think?

 

[Proghound]

Hi - thanks for getting in touch. My A2 is not entirely well at the moment, and if I can't sort it out, it may well be sold! I hope not - although it demands the most expensive fuel (E5 - old FSi engine) and so, even if it mechanically behaves itself, I may try and swap it for a cheaper runner.

Will be a shame as I do like the car a lot. I get the feeling that Diesel engines are more reliable. What do you think?

It's pretty much unequivocal on that point. The drive will be totally different though as it's all in torque, not power.

 

[steve_c]

My A2 is not entirely well at the moment, and if I can't sort it out, it may well be sold!

The FSI more than any other A2 variant needs a specialist to get it sorted from time to time.

Probably your nearest specialist is Gary at B&F Autos in Hounslow. Gary has a superb reputation on this forum, and is probably worth contacting:

B&F Autos Ltd

Car Mechanics, Car Servicing, MOT's, All Makes and Models. VW & Audi Specialists.

www.bfautos.co.uk

 

[mickle]

I've enjoyed driving it, but sometimes the guy who works on it for me complains about access to parts of the engine.
Also - I have a mysterious water leak that we can't find even when we pressure tested the system!
And the EML sometimes comes on with spurious codes (like misfiring when we are pretty certain it isn't misfiring) and I think there may be an earth problem somewhere!

Yes and I'm in Amersham with TWO FSI's in captivity... Audi used a lot of plastic parts in the cooling system which would be a problem for a twenty-year-old engine but in the FSI because of running at temps up to 110deg C the plastic has a very hard life. A pound to a penny it'll be either the ridiculous water distribution manifold on the left-hand side or the pipe running along the back of the engine to the water pump. Having said that, a few years ago a leak on my wife's car was the heater hoses where they pass through the bulkhead.

All T Best - Mike

 

[diarmuidmacdonald]

Yes and I'm in Amersham with TWO FSI's in captivity... Audi used a lot of plastic parts in the cooling system which would be a problem for a twenty-year-old engine but in the FSI because of running at temps up to 110deg C the plastic has a very hard life. A pound to a penny it'll be either the ridiculous water distribution manifold on the left-hand side or the pipe running along the back of the engine to the water pump. Having said that, a few years ago a leak on my wife's car was the heater hoses where they pass through the bulkhead.

All T Best - Mike

Mike - only just seen your message - thanks for your comments. I think it might be the water distribution manifold thing - I put my hand underneath it, (trying to find anywhere that was damp) and found some water, even though I haven't driven the car in days. On a hot day, it does seem to leak a bit - as if the heat is building up pressure somewhere and forcing a small amount of water out of the system.

This is all very strange because my mechanic performed a pressure test recently and said he couldn't find a leak anywhere.

 

[diarmuidmacdonald]

The FSI more than any other A2 variant needs a specialist to get it sorted from time to time.

Probably your nearest specialist is Gary at B&F Autos in Hounslow. Gary has a superb reputation on this forum, and is probably worth contacting:

B&F Autos Ltd

Car Mechanics, Car Servicing, MOT's, All Makes and Models. VW & Audi Specialists.

www.bfautos.co.uk

Steve,

Thanks for your comment and suggestion. I think I am going to need an expert who can interrogate the system and work out why a collection of fault codes are being generated - even though the car appears to drive OK. My mechanic has a decent diagnostic tool but doesn't understand what is behind all the codes. For example - it says it has misfires in three cylinders but it doesn't feel to be mis-firing. The airbag light has come on (that's a new trick) and it says there are problems with the door locks.

I'm wondering if it all relates back to a corroded Earth cable causing trouble with one of the control boxes in the car somewhere.

 

[steve_c]

I'm wondering if it all relates back to a corroded Earth cable causing trouble with one of the control boxes in the car somewhere.

It may well. Alternatively, your battery may be past its best. The number of faults you are seeing is likely the result of an electrical malfunction somewhere.