A6 Turbodiesel common issues

[mintytoo]

Hi,

Anyone here with A6 TDI, specifically a C7 2014 model w ~80k miles. Anything to be worried about? Any suspect parts like the time oil screen from the s6? Any common failure parts?

I've got a friend that is looking into one, and I have no experience with any audi diesels.

Thanks

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[Burnt]

Got an Audi A7 TDI here. I have needed to do maintenance items like fuel filter every 30k. In the winter, if it drops under 30 degrees, you have to put anti gel additives. I used to use Power Service for every fill up, but switched to Stanadyne

I've had an injector ring go bad on me. It felt like a misfire, but worse. It was cheap, about $10 to replace the rings by myself. Tires wear out fast for me. Running 275/35/20 and longest lasting tires were Michelin A/S 3+ @12k miles. I drive fast from the light and the torque kills the tires, dunno how the RS/S monsters keep long living tires.

[delmd92]

'14 A6 TDI, 101k. I have had the car 2 years and 45k miles. So far, I have needed 2 wheel bearings done but had all 4 replaced figuring they all had the same miles on them and would eventually go bad too. Other than that, I haven't done anything but routine maintenance. I would find an independent mechanic if you can. While I like my dealership ok, it is surprising how many things they can find that should be attended to that my independent guy can't find.

I have never added anything to the fuel. My wife likes to add some cold weather protector from Amsoil. Never had any issues in the cold (even down to -30) and using No. 2 diesel. I am guessing in Houston this temp is unlikely to happen. Been driving diesels for 10+ years and these are the best you can get. Fuel economy is great. Torque is addictive! I hate getting behind another car getting onto the highway because they are soooo sloooow by comparison.

I had P7 Cinturato's on to start but they were loud and wore out quickly. Spent a bit more on Michelin Primacy Touring tires and am super happy with them. Compliant, quiet and seem to be wearing very well.

My only gripe is the number of regens this car does. May be helped if I used better fuel, but will likely just delete in the near future, then better fuel economy and power!

[Audibot]

Got an Audi A7 TDI here. I have needed to do maintenance items like fuel filter every 30k. In the winter, if it drops under 30 degrees, you have to put anti gel additives. I used to use Power Service for every fill up, but switched to Stanadyne

I've had an injector ring go bad on me. It felt like a misfire, but worse. It was cheap, about $10 to replace the rings by myself. Tires wear out fast for me. Running 275/35/20 and longest lasting tires were Michelin A/S 3+ @12k miles. I drive fast from the light and the torque kills the tires, dunno how the RS/S monsters keep long living tires.

Let me preface this by saying my A6 TDI has been a joy to drive! I absolutely love the thing each and every time I get into it, whether it's for the mundane drive here to the grocery store or for fun on some windy roads.

On the scheduled maintenance for the other two Audis I've owned, fuel filter was always recommended at 30k mile intervals. It is much more critical on these cars, with the injection pump and injectors utilizing very tiny nozzles, which are easier to clog than a gas injector. Pretty much the one maintenance to never skip!

Diesel fuel itself has enough additives that you actually won't need to add anything until you are closer to 0 F. Additionally, the car has heaters on the fuel system to keep it liquid, at least when it's on/running. I have never any issues even in single digit temperatures when I didn't have any added.

I have found the main reason for additives is to improve lubricity and cetane of the fuel. Definitely improved mpgs, quieted and smoothed the engine, and the car has felt more powerful. Ironically, I went from Stanadyne to Power Service and am now in the process of trying Hot Shot.

I feel like something's off w.r.t. your tires. I have had A/S 3+s on my car for the last 20k miles and they have tons of life left. I drive quite spiritedly and our roads here in Maryland are, quite frankly, crap. That includes from the light. Something's gotta give for a set to go in 20k miles--the torque isn't enough, as I have been stage 2 for the last 7500 miles (with the additional torque) and have seen no appreciable increase in wear (it did kill my engine mounts though!).

Just to be sure, are your tires pumped to 42 psi? I know Tire Rack put out a note with my tires that says for the A6 TDI, they have to be 42 psi.

Regarding anything failure-wise, I have had my passenger mirror replaced (would not unfold by itself sometimes), which could happen in any car. I have had a CEL come on for "Fuel Pump Mechanical Malfunction" and two codes for rail pressure. It caused the car to go into limp mode, but turning it off and on again seemed to fix it. However, Audi replaced the injector pump via warranty. Lastly, I had my passenger engine mount go in December. It would have definitely lasted longer without going Stage 2. But I replaced both. No other failures. Currently at 58k miles.

One other thing to keep in mind is if the car has the Driver Assistance Package, there's a regular alignment, and then there's an alignment with calibrating the cameras for the system. Lowest cost I've seen for it is $500, but I've heard higher. So don't be alarmed with the sticker shock if/when this comes up.

[mintytoo]

Thanks for the info guys.

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[mintytoo]

Let me preface this by saying my A6 TDI has been a joy to drive! I absolutely love the thing each and every time I get into it, whether it's for the mundane drive here to the grocery store or for fun on some windy roads.

On the scheduled maintenance for the other two Audis I've owned, fuel filter was always recommended at 30k mile intervals. It is much more critical on these cars, with the injection pump and injectors utilizing very tiny nozzles, which are easier to clog than a gas injector. Pretty much the one maintenance to never skip!

Diesel fuel itself has enough additives that you actually won't need to add anything until you are closer to 0 F. Additionally, the car has heaters on the fuel system to keep it liquid, at least when it's on/running. I have never any issues even in single digit temperatures when I didn't have any added.

I have found the main reason for additives is to improve lubricity and cetane of the fuel. Definitely improved mpgs, quieted and smoothed the engine, and the car has felt more powerful. Ironically, I went from Stanadyne to Power Service and am now in the process of trying Hot Shot.

I feel like something's off w.r.t. your tires. I have had A/S 3+s on my car for the last 20k miles and they have tons of life left. I drive quite spiritedly and our roads here in Maryland are, quite frankly, crap. That includes from the light. Something's gotta give for a set to go in 20k miles--the torque isn't enough, as I have been stage 2 for the last 7500 miles (with the additional torque) and have seen no appreciable increase in wear (it did kill my engine mounts though!).

Just to be sure, are your tires pumped to 42 psi? I know Tire Rack put out a note with my tires that says for the A6 TDI, they have to be 42 psi.

Regarding anything failure-wise, I have had my passenger mirror replaced (would not unfold by itself sometimes), which could happen in any car. I have had a CEL come on for "Fuel Pump Mechanical Malfunction" and two codes for rail pressure. It caused the car to go into limp mode, but turning it off and on again seemed to fix it. However, Audi replaced the injector pump via warranty. Lastly, I had my passenger engine mount go in December. It would have definitely lasted longer without going Stage 2. But I replaced both. No other failures. Currently at 58k miles.

One other thing to keep in mind is if the car has the Driver Assistance Package, there's a regular alignment, and then there's an alignment with calibrating the cameras for the system. Lowest cost I've seen for it is $500, but I've heard higher. So don't be alarmed with the sticker shock if/when this comes up.

Thanks for the info. Let me ask you, is the a6 engine mount electric or a simple poly/ rubber mount?

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[Kevin1]

I am the original owner of a 2015 TDI with 110k miles on the clock. The only non-scheduled maintenance so far has been the motor mounts, which were replaced at 95k miles.

[mintytoo]

I am the original owner of a 2015 TDI with 110k miles on the clock. The only non-scheduled maintenance so far has been the motor mounts, which were replaced at 95k miles.

That's great to hear. Do you know if the motor mounts were electric or purely rubber?

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[Kevin1]

That's great to hear. Do you know if the motor mounts were electric or purely rubber?

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I am sorry, but I don’t know.

[eurospek]

That's great to hear. Do you know if the motor mounts were electric or purely rubber?

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Electric.

[Cayo71]

They are rubber+hidraulic fluid and they have an electrical connection to them that I suppose to send a signal to the ECM if they go bad.

[mintytoo]

Thank you, was hoping that the mounts were just rubber or poly, but at least it sounds like they last quite a while.

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[eurospek]

Thank you, was hoping that the mounts were just rubber or poly, but at least it sounds like they last quite a while.

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Not quite lol.

[mintytoo]

Not quite lol.

How long did yours last? most people are telling me 80-100k miles before having to replace their engine mounts

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[eurospek]

How long did yours last? most people are telling me 80-100k miles before having to replace their engine mounts

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Last oil change at dealer was 52k. I was told driver side was leaking. Then they wanted almost 1k to replace only one side.

[mintytoo]

Last oil change at dealer was 52k. I was told driver side was leaking. Then they wanted almost 1k to replace only one side.

Ugh, was hoping that the a6 mounts would be less troublesome than the s6

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