In conclusion, there are conflicting opinions about how reliable these engines are. However, the earlier versions had more issues. We would conclude that the older versions have been sufficiently adjusted to be trustworthy engines. Some of them have a 200,000-mile endurance limit, but they most certainly won’t live much longer. With these engines, regular maintenance is essential because, if neglected, the majority of them begin to have issues after 100,000 miles.
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About Trey
I have a passion for Volkswagen and Audi vehicles and spend my weekends working on them. I also appreciate assisting others by offering insightful and correct knowledge in the field of automobiles. I’ve worked in the automotive sector for at least ten years, and I make it a point to never stop learning new things. I hope that my posts reflect this passion and help the readers.
How far can an Audi diesel engine travel?
Your automobile’s gasoline engine should typically last for roughly 200,000 miles before needing a significant refurbishment or you need a new car. However, diesel engines may operate continuously for an amazing 1,000,0001,500,000 miles before needing any significant maintenance. In actuality, a properly maintained diesel engine can last for 30 years or longer.
According to Capital Reman Exchange, there are three primary factors that contribute to a diesel engine’s lifetime, durability, and dependability:
- A diesel engine’s general layout
- the substance used in diesel engines
- The use of diesel engines in numerous applications
A diesel engine is gear-driven in design. Gears never lose timing, unlike other components that can be broken or damaged. They are also simple to repair. Gear-driven water and oil pumps may also be used by the majority of diesel vehicles. This reduces the possibility of parts and components breaking down.
Diesel-powered vehicles typically have heavy-duty construction that can resist the power of the engine, resulting in reduced wear and strain on the engine’s many components.
Diesel engines are excellent at self-cooling, which greatly reduces the likelihood that they may overheat. In order to prevent the engine from overheating, multiple sensors and thermostats are employed, so even if one fails, there are still others. A number of piston-cooling nozzles additionally guarantee a continuous flow of coolant through the engine.
A compression ignition system is used by a diesel engine to burn its fuel to produce power. When diesel fuel and air are sufficiently compressed, heat is produced, resulting in spontaneous combustion. This spontaneous combustion is much more favourable for a long-lasting engine, claims Digital Trends.
Timing Belt Failure
From a pulley on the engine’s crankshaft, the timing belt drives the cam shafts. Rubber belts are used in some vehicles, whereas metal chains are used in others. The former needs to be changed periodically, whereas chains typically survive a lot longer.
Every 50,000 miles, or every five years, is the suggested service interval. When the timing belt assembly is taken off, the water pump should also be changed because it is turned by the timing belt.
The tensioner is an additional element found in practically all belt drive systems, particularly those that use timing belts. As the name implies, this prevents the belt from slipping by keeping it tight against the pulleys. Given that the mechanism is compact, relatively complex, and frequently disregarded during earlier maintenance and cambelt changes, it is the most frequent cause of timing faults in many belt-drive engines.
The cambelt loses its position on the crankshaft and camshaft, both of which are precisely regulated to ensure proper functioning, when tensioners malfunction.
The water pump’s bearings also deteriorate over time and may fail too soon, particularly if improperly placed. The cambelt is easily thrown off if the water pump pulley becomes misaligned for any reason. Because the valves open and close to allow fuel and exhaust gases to enter and exit the cylinders, if the cambelt stops driving the camshafts for any reason, the engine will shut down.
Even worse than this, the majority of current engines are interference engines, which means that if the valves are not timed properly, the pistons will be struck.
Due to the necessity for replacement valves, camshafts, cylinder heads, and in rare circumstances, the complete engine, a cambelt failure can result in a highly costly repair.
How to prevent cambelt failure
If you are considering a used car, make sure the belt has been changed at least every 75,000 miles by checking your service records for cambelt changes and water pump and tensioner receipts.
Contrary to skipping oil changes, changing the cambelt late won’t harm the engine if it’s still running.
However, it is essential that the belt be replaced as quickly as possible, ideally by the vendor.
EGR Failure
In order to increase efficiency, the EGR system circulates hot exhaust gases, especially while the engine is cold.
The drawback of this is that exhaust emissions, especially those from diesel engines, sometimes contain a lot of soot.
The internals of the EGR valve become clogged and lodged with this particulate matter, preventing the valve from opening and shutting as it ought to.
The solution is to take the valve apart and properly clean it, immersing it in solvent to get rid of carbon buildup.
The EGR valve’s frequent placement beneath or close to the exhaust manifold and turbo adds to the expense of this.
When evaluating a car, pay attention to any hesitation when accelerating as this may be a sign that the intake manifold is clogged due to an issue with the EGR valve.
When your car enters limp mode, you might detect an EGR malfunction. Additionally, a warning notice might be shown. Fortunately, blocked EGR vales don’t always need to be replaced; you can usually have them thoroughly cleaned for a far better price.
Injector Failure
The premature failure of the injectors on BKD code engines is a very frequently reported problem. Naturally, this causes the engine to operate poorly or not start at all.
Injectors are costly to install and remove, frequently needing specialized equipment. Four injector replacement often costs several hundred dollars.
Check prior MOTs for signs of injector problems, which include symptoms like poor performance and greater emissions.
With the right software, garages may perform a diagnostic check to look for problems, but they will charge a price for this service.
Fuel additives might be a lot more affordable remedy if you believe that an injector is blocked as opposed to failing. They function by removing accumulated deposits and reestablishing the spray pattern, which improves performance and MPG.
Dual Mass Flywheel
Failure of a dual mass flywheel is visible. There will be a distinct vibration emanating from the car when it is idle, especially when releasing the clutch. The clutch pedal is frequently where it is felt most intensely. A clicking noise could also come from the engine compartment.
If the flywheel needs to be changed, it is advisable to change the clutch as well; materials and labor for this can cost between $500 and $1,000.
When test driving a vehicle, buyers should be aware of any noises and make sure any vibrations are addressed before deciding to buy.
The car will frequently continue to run with a malfunctioning flywheel for several miles if the driver is diligent. Nevertheless, it is best to fix it right away for danger of it upsetting other components.
Turbo Failure
Turbos spin at an incredibly high speed, and to keep the high pressure gases contained, they need high performance seals. Although they are supposed to last the entire engine’s life, they frequently need to be changed years before that.
In the majority of 2.0 TDI designs, turbochargers can be changed without removing the exhaust manifold. With OEM parts, the overall cost of the job in this instance shouldn’t be more than $1200.
When accelerating or revving the engine, listen for whistling or whooshing noises to rule out a failing turbo. The vehicle probably has less power as well. Be advised that a new turbo may be required if several of these symptoms coexist.
Power reduction, exhaust smoke, and turbo noise are signs of a failed turbo. There are two ways to resolve this problem. The first method involves a complete replacement with a compatible turbo. The second option is refurbishment, which entails having your current turbo reconditioned. Your technician ought to be able to advise you on the best course of action financially.
Cracked Cylinder Head
An additional typical issue with the Audi 2.0 TDI engine is a broken cylinder head. These problematic 2.0 TDI engines from the early years are well known for them. It is recommended to get a later model car whose serial number ends in “B” rather than “A.” Under the fuel lines is where you may find the serial number.
The aluminum casting has a weak point in the older A models. Long-term hard driving or even overheating may cause them to break.
A shattered head will display a variety of problems. These include oil and coolant leaks as well as excessive oil use.
Any used car should be checked for leaks in the engine’s top to middle region. If at all feasible, only choose the best option.
Using OEM parts will cost you thousands of dollars for a new cylinder head. Although buying from a breaker can be less expensive. There are, however, a finite number of “parts cars” with this engine but without this problem.
We trust that our information about Audi 2.0 TDI engine troubles will help you identify any problems you may be experiencing. Please feel free to comment below if you have experienced your own symptoms.
Which TDI engine has the best reliability?
Volkswagen has made numerous excellent diesel engines throughout the years, but the “ALH engine,” which was utilized from 1998 to 2006, is considered to be one of the best. With 1.9 liters of displacement over 4 cylinders, direct injection, and turbocharging, these engines were solely utilized in automobiles.
These engines became well-known not only for their exceptional dependability but also for the incredible fuel economy they were capable of. The Pumpe Dse engines, which employed camshaft-driven fuel injectors and were less dependable, began to replace the ALH engine about 2005. The common rail fuel system was added to the TDI engine later in 2008, and it is these newer engines that were the focus of the Volkswagen emissions-cheating issue.
With 500,000 kilometers on the clock, it’s not unusual to see diesel-powered Volkswagens still on the road. With between 300,000 and 500,000 kilometers on them, we disassembled and examined a number of 1.9L ALH engines. We were astonished by how little wear or other damage we discovered within. The fact that some of these engines were not kept up very well speaks to their toughness. The 2004 Jetta’s undercarriage housed an ALH TDI engine with 720,000 kilometers on it, which is the greatest mileage ALH TDI engine we’ve ever seen in our facility.
Is the 2.0 TDI Audi dependable?
When it comes to engine dependability, the VW/Audi 2.0 TDI has conflicting assessments, primarily due to oil pump and turbo issues. The VW emissions scandal, of course. However, these engines are generally reliable; many of them have lasted over 200,000 miles without suffering any significant engine damage. We’ve even witnessed some vehicles running at 400,000 miles like they were just purchased. The customer MUST keep up with all maintenance and use premium fuel with any Volkswagen or Audi engine.
Here is our article on “The 6 Most Common 1.9 TDI Engine Problems” if you’re interested in reading additional Volkswagen/Audi-related material.
What is the lifespan of a 2.0 TDI?
Who would have imagined that buying a car would end up being the best deal I’ve ever found? I did! I devoted hundreds of hours to research before buying a Volkswagen Golf TDI (diesel). I love to research, so taking the time to narrow down my options and do several test drives didn’t bother me. Even though I’m not now in the market to buy anything, I keep an eye on key commodities like vehicles, appliances, and even real estate. I want to know what’s happening. I can enjoy living vicariously through someone else’s acquisition of a gorgeous new stove or gleaming refrigerator. I am well aware of what is available on the used market when one of my high ticket goods eventually wears out.
Although most financial experts and common sense will advise you to buy a car used, I choose to buy this one brand-new for roughly $18,000. Although you may need to consider your own circumstances, this automobile has repeatedly paid for itself. I anticipate it lasting for a very long time with good care. We all have our biases, and mine is that people shouldn’t be stranded on the side of the road. I demand my car to be reliable first and foremost. It must also appeal to my efficient and essentially inexpensive side. And driving must be F U N. In fact, I took the time to sit down and create a spreadsheet with all of my available vehicles, both new and old.
I began by limiting my options. Hundreds of cars are readily available. I was certain I wanted a compact automobile. I appreciate having four doors and moving things around. I originally wanted a station wagon, but there weren’t many dependable, affordable options available at the time. I gave used cars like the Mitsubishi Expo, Toyota Camry wagon, Volvo 240 wagon, and others some thought. I gave new vehicles like the Honda Accord, Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Camry more thought. I thought about looking at the Volkswagen Jetta and Golf sort of on the fly. Even while I adore the Beetle, it wasn’t practical enough for my needs at the time.
There are websites (such as Edmunds, Kelly Blue Book, etc.) that may provide you with a “cost of ownership,” but I made my own spreadsheet to calculate it with my unique facts so that I could be confident I was making an informed choice. I travel between 15 and 20,000 miles annually. I desire dependability and comfort. Since I prefer to stand out from the crowd, I was open to considering models that were not conventional. Diesel fuel is used in the VW Golf TDI, which consistently achieves 4648 mpg in mixed driving. I frequently drive in steep terrain, and it has plenty of oomph to push me past the sluggish driverseven when shifting into fifth gear. Best of all, driving it is enjoyable and comfy.
When I was examining the data, I took into account the shortlisted vehicles’ average life expectancy, repair ratings, and fuel economy (using 250,000 miles as my standard). For instance, the starting cost of a used, older car would have been much lower. I could have purchased a high-end vehicle with 150,000 kilometers for $5000. According to my calculations, the fuel alone will cost $3127 for a car that gets an average of 22 mpg while traveling 20,000 miles year at an average fuel price of $3.44 per gallon. The average cost is roughly $4200 per year if you purchase an older model used automobile for $5000, perform basic maintenance, go through one set of tires, and have no issues.
The life expectancy is 5080% greater with a diesel engine, which is the major reason I chose the VW Golf TDI. A diesel engine with proper maintenance may easily travel 400500,000 kilometers. This vehicle has already saved roughly $13,300 over the course of nine years, or an average of $1488 per year in fuel expenses (20,000 miles / 42 mpg = 476.2 * $3.44/gal = $1638/year), supposing all other variables remain constant (cost, repairs, etc.). It has not given me even a single minute of trouble despite my religious upkeep of it. With all of the upkeep, tires, repairs, fuel, and the initial purchase of the automobile, I average $3600 a year (including interest). By the end of this vehicle’s life expectancy, I will average around $2700 year once the initial cost is amortized over several years and the average decreases even further. That amounts to a $30,000 savings over 20 years!
The significance of routine maintenance has already been discussed. Taking good care of your large purchases will do more to increase their lifespan than anything else! This includes your home, vehicle, and a wide range of electronics and equipment. For instance, replace the brake pads when they begin to screech. If you wait, it will grow into a significant project requiring pads, rotors, and a lot more labor. Make a checklist every week, every month, and every year for your house, car, and any large appliances. Companies with a fleet of vehicles regularly check the systems that fail to guarantee that vehicles are fixed before minor problems lead to larger harm. See whether there is a typical issue with your car on Google that you can avoid.
Despite the fact that I absolutely like driving this car, I do not think it is appropriate for everyone. What I’m suggesting is a careful examination of your circumstancesnot just those involving autos, but all of your significant purchases. Thousands of dollars are frequently wasted on transportation over the course of a lifetime. Consider the long-term costs as well as the immediate ones. How long can you maintain the same vehicle before the allure of something “bright, shiny, new” calls? Will you be able to control your feelings of guilt when you see other people driving brand-new vehicles while you have a well-kept, 15-20 year-old efficiency expert?
My estimate of the cost of fuel is quite arbitrary. You can use any dollar number as long as you utilize the same one throughout your calculations for each vehicle.
2020 revision: This VW Golf Tdi hasn’t undergone any significant maintenance and is still used virtually daily (aside from suspension – it lives on a dirt road). When it is not icy or snowing, my son continues to own the vehicle and uses it (his Golf R32 is used on those days!). I’ve been missing it so much that I recently bought a 2005 Golf Tdi, which will serve as my daily driver this summer (my Golf R is my winter driver). It runs in the family to adore VWs!
To the best of the author’s knowledge, this article is accurate and true. Content is provided solely for informational or entertainment reasons and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consulting with a lawyer or other qualified business, financial, legal, or technical professional.