How long do diesel engines last

alsiet2011 · 04-07-2012 05:59AM #1

Hello,

Does anyone know whats the average life expentancy of a well maintained audi a4 2002 1.9 TDI ?

Currently that car has 194,000 miles on it and im considering an upgrade to a 1.6 petrol a4, 2006 with 55K miles on it.

Good upgrade? Should I stick to my diesel and drive her into the ground? Any ideas would be great cause im really in two minds and i don;t know what i should do.

whomitconcerns · 04-07-2012 08:04AM

well is your current motor giving you any problems?
Do you need a new motor?

If no to both...then is it not moot how long it will last?

alsiet2011 · 04-07-2012 08:08AM

whomitconcerns wrote: »

well is your current motor giving you any problems?
Do you need a new motor?

If no to both...then is it not moot how long it will last?

well in the last 4 years it's been really good to me but lately there have been 2 problems. i needed to replace the injector wiring loom, the vacuum lines and now i have this problem with overboosting arond 70MPH which shuts off the turbo. im waiting on a part to hopefully cure that, but if it doesnt it'll be too costly to repair for a car with little economic value.

as its done a lot of mileage i know theres prob a lot of things that may go wrong in the near future so am really trying to decide is it time to upgrade, or keep my current one and get it fixed when needed.

FrontDoor · 04-07-2012 08:44AM

At that mileage, I'd be inclined to see can you get it fixed up and keep going with it, provided the body, etc is holding up well.

I'd imagine there is plenty life left in it.

alsiet2011 · 04-07-2012 08:54AM

FrontDoor wrote: »

At that mileage, I'd be inclined to see can you get it fixed up and keep going with it, provided the body, etc is holding up well.

I'd imagine there is plenty life left in it.

thanks for yuor response.

yeah i'd say i'll see if i get it fixed with this n75 valve thats on order. if it's not that the mechanic suggests a new ECU which is not gonna happen. Might sell the car in that case. Time will tell. thanks

oh and yeah. the body and everything else is perfect. really solid machine. the only prob is the air conditioner is out of order due a faulty clutch in the kompressor. apparently you can't buy these parts seperately and im looking at a new compressor... F- that anyway!

Green Diesel · 04-07-2012 08:58AM

I would keep it going as long as you can, i.e. until a repair costs more than a replacement.

Lower running costs, depreciation mostly done already and better the devil you know.

Friend of mine has same engine in an '02 SEAT Leon and it's on 245,000 and going strong.

alsiet2011 · 04-07-2012 09:08AM

Green Diesel wrote: »

I would keep it going as long as you can, i.e. until a repair costs more than a replacement.

Lower running costs, depreciation mostly done already and better the devil you know.

Friend of mine has same engine in an '02 SEAT Leon and it's on 245,000 and going strong.

yeah i guess your right. if i need the ECU though that could be upwards of 1000 euro to replace so it wouldnt be economically viable to get that fixed for a car thats prob worth around 3K.

speaking of which i cant seem to put a price on it. if i get the overboost problem cured she'l basically be perfect so im wondering what sort of money should i be expecting to charge. 2002 a4, 1.9tdi, 194K miles. very well maintained. uk import (company car)

Blazer · 04-07-2012 10:04AM

Mate of mine has just passed 200,000 miles in his 03 A4 so plenty of life left yet in them

It's the 1.9TDI as well

MuppetCheck · 04-07-2012 10:08AM

Of course it's economically viable.

As scrap its not worth a huge amount and to replace it would be about 3k. If the car is otherwise sound its well worth keeping it going.

alsiet2011 · 04-07-2012 10:09AM

Blazer wrote: »

Mate of mine has just passed 200,000 miles in his 03 A4 so plenty of life left yet in them
It's the 1.9TDI as well

excellent. they're a very reliable engine in fairness. don't suppose you know of any problems he had around 190-200K mark? im just waiting for something to go wrong as over the last 4 years it really hasnt needed work. but im sure there must be a fair few components that have reached, or nearing end of life

alsiet2011 · 04-07-2012 10:11AM

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Of course it's economically viable.

As scrap its not worth a huge amount and to replace it would be about 3k. If the car is otherwise sound its well worth keeping it going.

well the thing is, iv a bad feeling i will need a new ECU and if thats the case ill be out of pocket for 1000 ish. since the cars only worth around 3K id rather take my repair money and upgrade. i wudnt be scrapping it anyway. shes perfectly good to sell on.

il have to wait and see until what the mechanic says. im praying that itl be fixed with the valve thats gona be put in.

Blazer · 04-07-2012 11:12AM

alsiet2011 wrote: »

excellent. they're a very reliable engine in fairness. don't suppose you know of any problems he had around 190-200K mark? im just waiting for something to go wrong as over the last 4 years it really hasnt needed work. but im sure there must be a fair few components that have reached, or nearing end of life

I'll ask him and see.

alsiet2011 · 04-07-2012 11:17AM

Blazer wrote: »

I'll ask him and see.

thanks man, that would be the job!

vectra · 04-07-2012 11:25AM

OP
Head over to vagdrivers.net
There are plenty of guys selling parts there. You would surely pick up a cheap ecu.
For 1k you would get a full engine replacement along with everything needed.

I have a seat Toledo ( ALH I think ) has 196k miles on it and is going like a song.

Keep it if you don't need a newer car. As said above, plenty of those going round with huge miles on them.

alsiet2011 · 04-07-2012 11:29AM

vectra wrote: »

OP
Head over to vagdrivers.net
There are plenty of guys selling parts there. You would surely pick up a cheap ecu.
For 1k you would get a full engine replacement along with everything needed.

I have a seat Toledo ( ALH I think ) has 196k miles on it and is going like a song.

Keep it if you don't need a newer car. As said above, plenty of those going round with huge miles on them.

thanks for that! yeah im still unsure of what to do. ill prob end up keeping it tbh but this particular problem that needs to be fixed apparently has a bit of a history of being unresolved even with all the hoses, sensors and ECU replaced so even if i need an ECU it may still be unresolved. its a tough choice cause one big side of me wants the upgraded car which has 140,000 miles LESS than my current car. and the a/c works which is a very costly repair on my current machine.

sorry for posting info not entirelely related to this thread. hope thats cool

Cionád · 04-07-2012 12:18PM

alsiet2011 wrote: »

its a tough choice cause one big side of me wants the upgraded car which has 140,000 miles LESS than my current car. and the a/c works which is a very costly repair on my current machine.

Mileage isn't everything, the newer car could have been abused by previous owners or not maintained properly - could break down a few months after you buy it... You know the history with your own car, I wouldn't change it on mechanical "what if" grounds.

If you want to change because you prefer the newer car then that's a valid reason.

alsiet2011 · 04-07-2012 12:28PM

Cionád wrote: »

Mileage isn't everything, the newer car could have been abused by previous owners or not maintained properly - could break down a few months after you buy it... You know the history with your own car, I wouldn't change it on mechanical "what if" grounds.

If you want to change because you prefer the newer car then that's a valid reason.

yeah i totally aggree with what your saying but the thing about this car that im lookin at is that its already in the family so i know its been very well looked after.

if im giong to do the deal it will only be for the A4 thats already in the family. i think ill have to do some more thinking about this. its gona be a good deal anyway which has me interested

thanks for your comments too

Blazer · 04-07-2012 12:36PM

From the mate

"My A4 1.9 TDi (red-i) is at 227 thousand MILES = 363 thousand kilometres.
Never had to touch the suspension. Brakes only changed once. Still get 60mpg if drive carefully.
Got my NCT last Friday. Preparation was just had to replace the tires and align the lights.

At 200k miles expect clutch and timing belt change. Possible replace tracking lock nuts. Total €1000
If they drive ****ty roads, expect shocks and possibly bushings for torsion bar. Total €500 guess.
Don’t buy diesel from non-branded filling stations. High chance of washed diesel, ****s your injectors and fuel pump.

Only issues in the last 3 years were:
(1) Replace pulley cable in the motorised window winder mechanism for the driver-side door. €50
(2) Timing belt changed. Never cheap €200..maybe €350..can't really remember
(3) Lock nut for steering-tracking adjustment got rusted in place and needed a smart mechanic to loosen it. €50
(4) One of my brake disks is slightly warped. Replacement is about €50
(5) Eventually had to replace the clutch. €700
(6) Boot servo switch not working. €50"

josephsoap · 04-07-2012 12:37PM

alsiet2011 wrote: »

Hello,

Does anyone know whats the average life expentancy of a well maintained audi a4 2002 1.9 TDI ?

Currently that car has 194,000 miles on it and im considering an upgrade to a 1.6 petrol a4, 2006 with 55K miles on it.

Good upgrade? Should I stick to my diesel and drive her into the ground? Any ideas would be great cause im really in two minds and i don;t know what i should do.

IMO that would be a downgrade,

I think you can get a second hand ECU from a scrapped/crashed A4 and use it, maybe the mechanics will clear that one up

amen · 04-07-2012 12:43PM

Only issues in the last 3 years were:

Wow. I'm driving a 99 Passat 1.9 TDI about 190,000 miles and in the last year I've had 1,2 and 5 occur. Apart from that no major issues.

fasttalkerchat · 04-07-2012 12:50PM

When were the clutch and timing belt done? They may be going again. Has the turbo ever been replaced?

alsiet2011 · 04-07-2012 12:58PM

Blazer wrote: »

From the mate

"My A4 1.9 TDi (red-i) is at 227 thousand MILES = 363 thousand kilometres.
Never had to touch the suspension. Brakes only changed once. Still get 60mpg if drive carefully.
Got my NCT last Friday. Preparation was just had to replace the tires and align the lights.

At 200k miles expect clutch and timing belt change. Possible replace tracking lock nuts. Total €1000
If they drive ****ty roads, expect shocks and possibly bushings for torsion bar. Total €500 guess.
Don’t buy diesel from non-branded filling stations. High chance of washed diesel, ****s your injectors and fuel pump.

Only issues in the last 3 years were:
(1) Replace pulley cable in the motorised window winder mechanism for the driver-side door. €50
(2) Timing belt changed. Never cheap €200..maybe €350..can't really remember
(3) Lock nut for steering-tracking adjustment got rusted in place and needed a smart mechanic to loosen it. €50
(4) One of my brake disks is slightly warped. Replacement is about €50
(5) Eventually had to replace the clutch. €700
(6) Boot servo switch not working. €50"

this is an excellent list! thanks so much for that. this will help my decision

alsiet2011 · 04-07-2012 12:59PM

amen wrote: »

Wow. I'm driving a 99 Passat 1.9 TDI about 190,000 miles and in the last year I've had 1,2 and 5 occur. Apart from that no major issues.

yeah i can see myself getting a costly bill to replace the essential components in the next year.... might try and sell her on now see what i could get for it.

Mycroft H · 04-07-2012 01:33PM

You would be lucky to see 35mpg out of a 1.6 petrol A4. If your doing anything more then small miles, your going to take a hit with fuel costs.

fasttalkerchat · 04-07-2012 04:11PM

alsiet2011 wrote: »

yeah i can see myself getting a costly bill to replace the essential components in the next year.... might try and sell her on now see what i could get for it.

You might well get 3k but it wont be a quick sale. The majority will scroll down when they see the mileage.
Stick it up on donedeal and see what offers come in.

Jumpaddict · 09-07-2012 08:12PM

http://www.carsireland.ie/detail.php?ad_id=691485&r=s.php%3Fd%3D2000%26e%3D3000%26f%3D2%26g%3D3

Think this has been to the moon and back.......and back.......and back.....and....:D

Needles73 · 09-07-2012 08:48PM

I agree with others here, going to a 1.6 petrol will feel like a downgrade. Overboost issues are not uncommon in any of the vw group diesel engines. The n75 may be at fault as they do go....if all the vac hoses are perfect the turbo itself could be fouled. Your audi has a variable vane turbo and they can be cleaned and the movement freed but most mechanics would probably replace it which is not actually required. The diaphragm in the actuator can also go. I would be very very surprised if it was the ecu. These 1.9tdi's an easily go to 300k or 400k if serviced properly. I have had audis up to 250k and i still see them on the road.

How long do diesel engines last

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