Audi TT problems

bubblewrap

Hi,

Would be so grateful for some advice....basically, I have a '51 reg TT, 1.8 (225bhp if that helps!), in a morning, he doesn't really want to start (bit like me really!) - the ignition turns, he sounds a bit groany then it stalls. I restart the engine straight after and it is fine.

Also, I have noticed the fuel is going down a hell of a lot recently, I know I get stuck in traffic a lot but it isn't always THAT bad. I put £20 in this morning, the fuel gauge said 210 miles, got to work 5 miles away and it went to 130. Yesterday I started the car, was on 140 and by the end of the day it went to 0, I do 10-15 miles max per day. I don't get it.

Please help!

cantdecide

Do you know how to calculate mpg??

It sounds like it's got some engine management/ sensor problems. Have you had an engine management light? When was it last serviced?

bubblewrap

No there is no light, I have only had the car about a month but there are piles and piles of receipts of work that has been done, am am assuming the service has been done, the MOT is due in October. The previous owner has spent a fortune keeping it in condition but now this has to happen!
The mpg is 26 at the moment I think, if I reset the trip computer will that help?

cantdecide

That gauge can be way off sometimes and if it has been averaging for a long time, it won't tell you that you've had crap mpg for the last week because of a new problem.

Has it ran well until now?

An mpg check will tell you an awful lot. This is really the only reasonably accurate realtime way of finding it.

Fill it to the top and reset your trip meter to 0 miles. When you run the tank down to it's next fill, note how many litres it took to fill it and note how many miles are on the trip meter. Don't run it dry but don't be too eager and refill the tank from halfway. The longer you leave it, the more accurate the result.

Lets say it took 48.17 litres to fill it- 48.17 divided by 4.54= 10.61 Gallons. Lets say you've traveled 271.5 miles. Take 271.5 divided by 10.61= 25.59mpg

These are reasonably realistic figures, btw.

I will tell you that just because it's well minded doesn't mean that things won't crop up. The only quick way of finding out if there's a prob is to take it to a mechanic who will probably give it a diagnostic check. This normally costs a hours labor. If it's getting worse, I'd consider just getting it looked at.

bubblewrap

Thank you can't decide...will give that a try and if that doesn't help I will take it to the dealers, will have to re-mortgage first I think! :eek::D

cantdecide

Most of these probs aren't too bad. An air sensor or temperature sensor will cost less than a €100. For a car like this, find a well equiped local Audi/ German car specialist...

bubblewrap

Thank you very much for your help, wish I was a bloke sometimes, I am clueless when it comes to things like this!

TommyT

The fuel reading sounds like the start of the dreaded dashpod problem. You will get more help and info on http://www.tt-forum.co.uk/forum/
What part of the country are you in as someone may be able to recommend a decent mechanic.

mickdw

I wouldnt read too much into what the trip computer tells you. It might be basing its projections on say a motorway run although it should learn from day to day your driving conditions and then adjust the distance projection.
I had a 2000 Audi TT quattro 180 bhp and never had a problem with it to be honest but €20 will not bring you far at the best of times. €20 should bring you 100 miles min. on a run but less around town. 15 miles a day stuck in traffic would quickly empty your tank too.
Considering you had the startup problem it is very likely you have a faulty sensor. This would cause a fuel economy issue too so best get it on a diagnostic computer. The air flow meter (MAF sensor) is a common fault which can lead to poor running and mad fuel consumption but in most cases it doesnt really effect starting I think
I would say MAF sensor or one of the engine temperature sensors. My thinking on the temperature sensor would be that possibly, the car isnt reading the engine temperature and so cannot decide on fuel amounts to feed in. This will affect fuel consumption too.
One of the diagnostic experts/mechanics on here will give you a better idea of what might be the problem. Best to get it diagnosed anyway.

Nforce

The coil packs were a problem area on the 1.8T engine...which would manifest itself as poor running and difficult to start. A diagnostic check would be a good idea.
Also, short journies can lead to engine problems and can lead to more wear and tear on the engine, especially if it never gets up to it's nominal operating temperature. MPG will suffer if the majority of your driving is in town and cities with lots of stop/start driving.

bubblewrap

Thank you all so very much, at least I have some idea - the dash pod thing fills me with dread, they were on Watchdog with that weren't they? :eek:

I am not in Ireland (I just love this website! ), I am from the North West in the UK. Don't fancy the dealers really, they charge £150 per hour. :eek::(

Nforce

Get in contact with a local VW or Audi owners club in your area and they might be able to run a diagnostic check using VagCom...or they'll at least point you in the direction of a good independent garage. It'll work out a lot cheaper than going to a dealer.

com1

Had something very similar happen to a manta I had many years ago, of course without any milage LED readouts but could almost see the fuel needle dropping and it did not like starting. Turned out to be a hole in the fuel line. It only cost a fiver for a length of hose and 5 minutes to swap it out. Sometimes its the simple things :-)

bubblewrap

Hmmm, that is a possibility, my needle was dropping within minutes of me filling up. Thank you.

fialoe

I have had serious problems with the dashpod in my Audi TT and up until this morning Audi have denied such a problem occurs. It began with a faulty temperature guage, then fuel guage then shut the whole car down on a dual carriageway in rush hour traffic. I contact Audi Ireland who gave me a generic brush off. As I was not satisfied I contacted The Irish Times who printed the below article. However after contact from the Irish Times they have finally admitted such a problem exists and are willing to offer a small refund to those who have replaced their dashpod. For clarity, if you had a problem with it you would of had to replace it. Please follow this link to the article in the Irish Times or contact me at fialoe@yahoo.com for more details. I am sure this will be great news to every TT owner from 2000 to 2003.
Fialoe http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/mot ... 05863.html

IF YOU HAVE (or had) PROBLEMS WITH YOUR DASH POD PLEASE CONTACT ME fialoe@yahoo.com

Anan1

fialoe wrote: »

I have had serious problems with the dashpod in my Audi TT and up until this morning Audi have denied such a problem occurs. It began with a faulty temperature guage, then fuel guage then shut the whole car down on a dual carriageway in rush hour traffic. I contact Audi Ireland who gave me a generic brush off. As I was not satisfied I contacted The Irish Times who printed the below article. However after contact from the Irish Times they have finally admitted such a problem exists and are willing to offer a small refund to those who have replaced their dashpod. For clarity, if you had a problem with it you would of had to replace it. Please follow this link to the article in the Irish Times or contact me at fialoe@yahoo.com for more details. I am sure this will be great news to every TT owner from 2000 to 2003.
Fialoe http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/mot ... 05863.html
IF YOU HAVE (or had) PROBLEMS WITH YOUR DASH POD PLEASE CONTACT ME fialoe@yahoo.com

Hi fialoe, and welcome to Motors. Please read the charter and don't dig up old threads. Your information is good though - best thing is to start a new thread with a relevant title. I'm closing this thread now.