Audi a4 TDI investigation.

[bub2006]

Decided today I will pull the head off the Audi and see what's what I'm guessing its an interference engine and it will be toast. If on the off chance its salvageable with a new head,hg,cambelt and all other bits how do I time the pump? Do I need locking tools etc? Is there a "service mode" on these where the front end comes off like passats to make it easier to access?

[Richard]

All diesel engines are interference. Some break external parts when they clash, the rockers on HDi engines for example.

 

VAG engines are an arse to time up but I imagine somebody on here will have the necessary knowledge and tools. The cost soon mounts up though, by the time you've bought a head, belts, tensioners, gaskets and maybe head bolts.

[bub2006]

I can imagine it wouldn't be economically viable. I'm thinking if its actually worth hassle but nothing ventured nothing gained

[Richard]

Does it have a timing belt at each end like some other VAG diesels?

[SiC]

On this age diesel, I wonder if you could get away with just new belt, replacement valves and head bolts?

 

If it's going for scrap anyway, I'd be tempted to pull it apart for a quick look see on how bad the damage is/an excuse to pull it apart and have a poke around.

[bub2006]

Just one belt on this and obviously the auxiliary belt. Regards scrapping it I think it may be an idea to investigate before James brown cones calling.

[320touring]

Bub I'd just sack it off and move chap-we've all had cars where no matter what we did, the bastard fights you all the way.

 

life's to short for that - get a large auto like you need and go have some fun!

[bub2006]

Compensation sorted in 35 days hopefully so once everything is paid I'll treat myself.

[Richard]

With solid tappets you can assess the damage by checking the valve clearances (abnormally large clearance = bent valve) but I imagine this will have hydraulic tappets.

 

Anything that involves removing the head (or rather putting it back on) will work out to be more cost and effort than it's worth I fear.

[Cavcraft]

Put a Transit Di engine in it.

[purplebargeken]

By all means have a look mate but as I posted elsewhere on the forum, those bits mount up to a good 300 plus quid. 

 

Will those alloys fit a Mk3 Golf?

 

Owt you can take off it and sell on ebay before it gets carted away for feck all??

[purplebargeken]

Whatever you get mate, budget in a belt and tensioner change unless you have documented evidence of it having been done not very long ago. Grandma and sucking eggs I know but........

[Dave_Q]

Yo bub, these are interference as far as I know, nearly all diesels are due to the high compression ratio.

 

They are overhead cam so no chance of just rockers breaking as per JTDs, however they might snap the cam as per XUDs.

 

Take the rocker cover off first and see if the cam is snapped. 

 

You can get by without the timing tools: http://www.clubgti.com/showthread.php?224338-1Z-cambelt-change-how-to-(-AHU-amp-AFN-)

 

There's a crank timing mark on the flywheel under a plug on top of the gearbox somewhere, the cam can be locked/timed with a straight bit of bar, and the pump can be locked with a 10/11mm socket.

 

IMO if you have valve or head damage, it's not financially worth repairing.

 

Second hand engines available for 200 or so but by the time you've fitted it with a new belt you're onto £300 or so to repair.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A4-ENGINE-1-9-RED-I-MODEL-115-BHP-1900TDI-/182233302167?hash=item2a6df38497:g:i8YAAOSwZ1BXdQGv

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-VW-Seat-1-9TDi-Turbo-Diesel-Engine-Code-AHU-/252515547502?hash=item3acb19796e:g:uZQAAOSwYSlXhU1O

[bub2006]

I think I'll try that Dave first

[Dave_Q]

Should only take a few mins to get the rocker cover off and should give an idea if it's worth going any further.

[bub2006]

Can seems intact.

[purplebargeken]

Bugger. They won't fit. 

 

Never mind.

[Dave_Q]

OK, are those bits of muck on it in picture 3 or bits of metal?

 

I suppose the next step is to get the head off, I seem to recall the inlet and exhaust manifolds/turbo being a pain to get to, might need to remove the exhaust downpipe/cat first.

[bub2006]

Muck off rocker cover. Yes the bolts are an arse to get to.

[purplebargeken]

Snacks - check.

 

Fluids - check.

 

Sits comfortably at the PC and watches with interest. Check.

[bub2006]

Rain stops play at the mo

[hairnet]

Use time and effort sending it to the bridge and buy summat nice

[purplebargeken]

I guess Bub just wants to 'know' more than anything else. 

[purplebargeken]

Get back out there ya wuss. You ain't gonna shrink

[Pillock]

I'd be doing the same, whipping it off just to see. In fact me and albert_ross did it to the tdi in my Leon before having to go down the new engine route.

Chances are it won't be fixable but still, it's something to do on a bank holiday weekend. You could also be taking off the wheels (although you'll need steelies) and battery before the bridge beckons, and I'd be hoarding any easily removable trim too - especially easily broken stuff like clips and handles.

 

Does it have a working dot matrix thingie? They're a bugger for losing pixels, save that.

Hunt around the Audi forums and get a feel for what breaks easily. 

[Dave_Q]

If you've got somewhere it can stand for a bit you can probably get a couple of hundred back for it fairly easily, the wheels are probably £50-70, interior might go for a few quid if not too retched, and save all the ECU's etc, won't be instant but they should fetch £20 or so each on ebay. I think the immobilizer is separate to the clocks on these, a matched set of clocks, immo and key might go for £50ish? 

 

The inlet manifold might go for £20 to someone who wants to clean it out and swap for theirs. 

 

Turbo £50? Gearbox £30-50?

 

Round here on the FB selling groups there are plenty of "scrap metal entrepreneurs" who will come and drag away a car without wheels, engine etc, won't give you anything for it but the value's not in the shell. 

 

If you could be arsed to strip it bare and play the long game listing and relisting on ebay, you could probably see £4-500 back on it, or you could get a couple of hundred back quite easily with key bits like the wheels, ECUs and turbo.

[Tamworthbay]

Put a Transit Di engine in it.

Is that the same engine as fitted to the Maxi?

[purplebargeken]

Yes. Yes it is.

[bub2006]

I think breaking could be an idea.

[purplebargeken]

It makes sense mate and will enable you to claw some money from the thing, but it will be a bit of a long game as mentioned.