issues

[Jama665]

Need some advice hopefully someone's been here before.

Just after Xmas. The car cut out no warning whilst driving and would not start, so I changed the fuel pump which made it live again. Although it hates to start now (any weather hot or cold ect). Just recently the car coughed badly and now the breaks are much stiffer to operate since this happened (like the servo is leaking). It smokes when it's been idling for a while as well. Also if you give it some beans you can feel it lag between gear changes. I can't see nothing obvious.

I will check again for codes.

Are these all related or separate issues

It's a 1.8t avj with 170k

Anyone experienced these issues I'd love to here how you solved them

Thanks

 

[pauldazzle]

Diagnostic would be wise before you start throwing parts at it.
Failing coolant temp sensor is often the source of poor starting. Hard brake pedal would suggest you have a split vacuum pipe or water in the plenum chamber has rusted out the bottom of the Servo, both are common issues on A4's.

 

[Jama665]

I was wondering if it's a fuel pressure issue, the hard starting. It doesn't struggle to start when it starts just turns over like it's got no fuel then just comes to life.

I know for sure the pcv that sits above the turbo is shot and was hoping that's the cause of the smoke at idle. I'm wondering if the vacuum system could be getting filled with crud with oil being sat in the inlet manifold.

I'll scan it when I can find the cable.

How big of a split would we be talking to cause the break issue. And the plenums dry has been since owning it.

 

[Mike.M]

Sounds like a cambelt issue.....possibly skipped a tooth or a tensioner has given up putting too much slack in the belt, putting the timing out

 

[makster1978]

jama you are having the same problems as me apart from the brake issue, theres a 95% chance your car cutting out will be the crankshaft sensor/engine speed sensor,i used a cheap diognostics to figure this out and after changing it the car no longer cuts out but before this I also had a power issue lagging in gears and juddering when the pedal was floared which the camshaft sensor never sorted,i had the car in at a vag specialist yesterday with there vcds used and its trowing up coolant sensor fault which hopefully explains my loss of power,i have ordered the part and once fitted I will post a update,mines a 99 a3 1.8t 156k

 

[AudiLeon]

I'd be tempted to say vacuum line. It would effect power if the turbo isn't working correctly and it'll effect the brakes.

 

[Jama665]

Ok will have to get the faults read soon it seems. Maybe I should go into more detail with the brakes. It's hard to explain but it's as tho when you braking hard there's something behind the pedal and you can't push it any harder. The other day was doing 70ish then slammed em on and nothing (like brake fade). Then really stood on the pedal and it just dropped to the floor abs kicked in( with out locking up) still not braking any harder. But the brakes where roasting hot (you could see the disks had a bluey tinge) so that's an odd one. It's almost like the brakes where binding when you put your foot down and where subject to massive brake fade when needed.

 

[Jama665]

Also the cam belt and tensioner was changed less than 10k ago. Actually improved the car once changed

 

[Mike.M]

What about the belt. If old it could have also stretched or slipped