**Sudden stop - please help!**

Mustang-owner said:
I also think the same as Phil - get Liv recovered ASAP.

There are a few things that could have caused this failure, and one I didn't mention is the chain drive and tensioner for the oil pump.
It's a ball ache to repair, but not terminal.
If the tensioner or chain fail, it can create the appearance of a siezed engine, but as we all know - it's very, very rare to hear of a siezed A2 TDi engine.

Sending positive thoughts your way.

As you're around the Birmingham location, a reputable workshop is Stealth Racing, based in Southam.
There are some private mechanics in your area too who underatand the A2 very well, so once you've got the car home and have had a good think about the next steps, feel free to drop me a PM and I'll happily pass on details of those who might be able to help (P.S. - I'm not affiliated with any of them).

Cheers
Jeff
Click to expand...

Cheers Jeff.

I've been to Vince at Stealth a few times now. My last visit was last year, where I had the Stealth remap done. Visited A2 Cars but wouldn't do that again...

I'll be in touch regarding the garages. Having made a sizeable outlay in the past 18 months, I'm keen that she is seen by people who know what they're doing.
 
I’m with Jeff; if the belt is still there then then think chain.
Not the easiest of jobs and much more complicated if the engine won’t turn. However better than knocked about valves.
 
Well, NO garage bill is as bad as taking some piece of Eurotrash on a PCP. Below is for a basic spec Ford Focus on the assumption that you put £1,200 cash down (the price of a healthy A2Cars bill).

Monthly payment £296.72
Number of monthly payments 36
Finance term 37
Ford Contribution † £0.00
Amount of credit £16,485.00
Total interest charges* £412.79
Total amount payable £18,097.79
Optional Final Payment £6,196.00

£296.72 a month!!!, for three years and you have to pay a further £6196 to keep it afterwards. ‘Optional’ final payment makes me laugh - basically it’s your choice as to whether you want a car or not at the end of the period or whether you invite them to shaft you for another 3 years whilst you drive the same pile of junk in a different colour.

I challenge Liv to drain your pockets even half are fast as that!

That said, I paid £1,900 for our FSI, and then in two years spent another £3,000 on repairs and improvements (a lot parts-only as I DIYd) just to get it back to the way it should be, so over £200 a month over that period on average. But now it’s ours, it’s behaving and my wife loves it (and it’s much better than a Ford Focus!).

So even if you get the garage bill from hell and have to put it on your credit card, you’ll still be driving the car you want and it still won’t rust...

Sorry, not the world’s greatest pep talk, but if you look at those numbers, you’ll realize that there are many hundreds of thousands of motorists whose cars aren’t as nice as yours and cost them way more!
 
LionJag said:
I'm keen that she is seen by people who know what they're doing.
Click to expand...

I’ve never been good at the compassionate stuff so let me be me. I think these things (A2s) can only be maintained by enthusiasts. Audi hated them and broke them (my car still shows the scars). Dig around here, somebody will know somebody near you.
 
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Simon_Blackburn said:
I challenge Liv to drain your pockets even half are fast as that!

So even if you get the garage bill from hell and have to put it on your credit card, you’ll still be driving the car you want and it still won’t rust...

Sorry, not the world’s greatest pep talk, but if you look at those numbers, you’ll realize that there are many hundreds of thousands of motorists whose cars aren’t as nice as yours and cost them way more!
Click to expand...

I was very lucky in the first few years after purchasing Liv. Besides, the servicing costs and putting a few niggles right, the costs were minimal. The OpenSky did malfunction, so I took her to Rinner in Munich and it's as good as new.

The past couple of years have seen Anno Domini catch up somewhat with Liv. Two sizeable bills from A2 Cars and Stealth, plus having the injectors replaced elsewhere, did burn out the credit card a little. But at least Liv got a new lease of life and driving here was fun again, that's for sure.

I suppose it's par for the course and these things will happen. Just rather inconvenient right now...
 
philward said:
I’ve never been good at the compassionate stuff so let me be me. I think these things (A2s) can only be maintained buy enthusiasts. Audi hated them and broke them (my car still shows the scars). Dig around here, somebody will know somebody near you.
Click to expand...

Quite true. Never really had to ask before but I reckon I'll build some contacts around me in case the worst should occur.
 
**UPDATE**

The AA came out last night and, with great trepidation, the bonnet was removed. I'm quite relieved to report that the cam-belt was unaffected and hadn't appeared to jump either. Phew!

It's obviously very difficult to assess what could be the cause of the problem at the roadside, at midnight, in the cold but the AA technician suspected it could be the DMF that may have failed and shattered. I look back at last year with regret when I replaced the clutch but couldn't get the DMF at the time. That decision could come back and haunt me.

I'll update as the situation progresses. Thanks again for the advice, fellas.
 
LionJag said:
**UPDATE**

The AA came out last night and, with great trepidation, the bonnet was removed. I'm quite relieved to report that the cam-belt was unaffected and hadn't appeared to jump either. Phew!

It's obviously very difficult to assess what could be the cause of the problem at the roadside, at midnight, in the cold but the AA technician suspected it could be the DMF that may have failed and shattered. I look back at last year with regret when I replaced the clutch but couldn't get the DMF at the time. That decision could come back and haunt me.

I'll update as the situation progresses. Thanks again for the advice, fellas.
Click to expand...
Good luck with the rehab, seems odd that the dmf failed while 'pootling' though.
 
LionJag said:
**UPDATE**

The AA came out last night and, with great trepidation, the bonnet was removed. I'm quite relieved to report that the cam-belt was unaffected and hadn't appeared to jump either. Phew!

It's obviously very difficult to assess what could be the cause of the problem at the roadside, at midnight, in the cold but the AA technician suspected it could be the DMF that may have failed and shattered. I look back at last year with regret when I replaced the clutch but couldn't get the DMF at the time. That decision could come back and haunt me.

I'll update as the situation progresses. Thanks again for the advice, fellas.
Click to expand...

I'm sort of pleased for you.....

I'm guessing you can see the aux belt is in place and all the pullies look fine.
The least expensive issue would have been the alternator pulley failing.

It ought to be fairly straightforward to determine if the DMF has broken and causing the lack of engine rotation - how does the clutch pedal feel right now, and are you able to run through all the gears in the gearbox.

It seems your worst fears are not realised - so great news - very happy for you, but unfortunately your wallet is likely to take a further hammering.

Cheers
Jeff
 
As above, DMF easy to check. If it's not the DMF it could be this chain:

VbhlvTH.jpg
 
I was sort of pleased too, once I knew the worst had not occurred.

I spoke at length with the AA tech, who smiled wryly as I discussed the possible causes (provided by A2OC) and he nodded sagely at them all. Upon reflection, he reckoned the DMF was the most likely cause.

The car was left at a local garage early this morning and the chief mechanic said it would go on the ramp sometime today, so not quite sure how the gears or clutch were running.

Back at work to cover someone else, so it's a case of twiddling my thumbs and waiting for the news...
 
Personally I don't think it will be the DMF, they only fail in a big way after lots of warnings, vibration, noise etc
My money is on the chain or the chain guide
Cheers,
Paul
 
The car wasn't even checked today - the wait goes on until Monday, when I'm assured it'll go up on the ramp.
 
The wait must be very bad for you. Woken up early and the first thing I've done is check on Liv. Was hoping to see at least a diagnosis.

If you don't mind could you post up more details of how Liv failed? You were in gear, just driving steadily (you didn't attempt a gear change?) , there was a bang, the car lurched forwards (would that be the car or you?). Was it then easy to take out of gear to attempt a restart? Attempting a restart resulted in lots of lights and nothing? Or could you hear a click or a clunk or whirring noise? I assume the garage is pushing Liv onto the ramps so it must now be out of gear?
 
Remove alternator (aux) belt and check engine turns, if not you'll end up having to remove gearbox to check the next thing which I suspect is the oil pump chain as per my write up and advice for TDi owners. The gearbox will need to be removed as there are two bolts that can't be accessed without its removal, as engine won't turn. However the removal of the gearbox also means you'll be able to check the dual mass flywheel and clutch end anyway.


See here:

https://www.a2oc.net/community/inde...ervicing-information.23606/page-2#post-267826
 
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