OT, Audi/VW 1.8 turbo, how reliable?
05-14-2010, 04:12 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
OT, Audi/VW 1.8 turbo, how reliable?
Been looking for a DD since I'm not happy with the BMW. The Audi A4 is appealing but not sure about the 1.8 turbo motor. Seems to be the bread and butter motor for a bunch of Jettas, Passats and A4s. Do they last or better to get the V6? What's your guy's experience with this powerplant?
Last edited by 1pcarnut; 05-14-2010 at 04:36 PM.
05-14-2010, 04:24 PM
#2
Still plays with cars.
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Member
The 1.8 engine is bulletproof. Had the usual ignition coil problem (supplier defect). Othert than that, 80,000 miles with no issues. Audis of that era had a problem with suspension parts - replaced under warranty - a good thing because it was an expensive fix afterwards.
05-14-2010, 04:35 PM
#3
Drifting
Thread Starter
The 1.8 engine is bulletproof. Had the usual ignition coil problem (supplier defect). Othert than that, 80,000 miles with no issues. Audis of that era had a problem with suspension parts - replaced under warranty - a good thing because it was an expensive fix afterwards.
05-14-2010, 04:45 PM
#4
Agreed, the 1.8T has a great reputation. When I did the research for my wife's New Beetle, I found no issues with the engines other than coil packs that fail. There is actually a TSB on them now and you can get them checked and replaced for free now.
Also, this engine is very tunable and cheap relative to Porsche parts. My wife's is stock except for a GIAC flash and has TONS of torque. Not a high revving motor though. I was told you need to drive it like an old Mustang 5.0 and they were right.
Not sure if the Audi has the same 5 speed tiptronic auto but the ones in the VW are problematic after 60-80K miles and are technically not serviceable. I'm sure this is blown out of porportion (like the 993 valve guides), but a risk nontheless. I know of a couple people personally who had issues and I don't hang around the VW circles much. I opted for the manual instead and it works well.
Also, this engine is very tunable and cheap relative to Porsche parts. My wife's is stock except for a GIAC flash and has TONS of torque. Not a high revving motor though. I was told you need to drive it like an old Mustang 5.0 and they were right.
Not sure if the Audi has the same 5 speed tiptronic auto but the ones in the VW are problematic after 60-80K miles and are technically not serviceable. I'm sure this is blown out of porportion (like the 993 valve guides), but a risk nontheless. I know of a couple people personally who had issues and I don't hang around the VW circles much. I opted for the manual instead and it works well.
05-14-2010, 04:52 PM
#5
Drifting
Thread Starter
Agreed, the 1.8T has a great reputation. When I did the research for my wife's New Beetle, I found no issues with the engines other than coil packs that fail. There is actually a TSB on them now and you can get them checked and replaced for free now.
Also, this engine is very tunable and cheap relative to Porsche parts. My wife's is stock except for a GIAC flash and has TONS of torque. Not a high revving motor though. I was told you need to drive it like an old Mustang 5.0 and they were right.
Not sure if the Audi has the same 5 speed tiptronic auto but the ones in the VW are problematic after 60-80K miles and are technically not serviceable. I'm sure this is blown out of porportion (like the 993 valve guides), but a risk nontheless. I know of a couple people personally who had issues and I don't hang around the VW circles much. I opted for the manual instead and it works well.
Also, this engine is very tunable and cheap relative to Porsche parts. My wife's is stock except for a GIAC flash and has TONS of torque. Not a high revving motor though. I was told you need to drive it like an old Mustang 5.0 and they were right.
Not sure if the Audi has the same 5 speed tiptronic auto but the ones in the VW are problematic after 60-80K miles and are technically not serviceable. I'm sure this is blown out of porportion (like the 993 valve guides), but a risk nontheless. I know of a couple people personally who had issues and I don't hang around the VW circles much. I opted for the manual instead and it works well.
05-14-2010, 04:52 PM
#6
Agent Orange
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
70K miles on the odo of my 1.8T A4 Avant. Love the car! The only issues I've had were a coolant temp sensor and coil packs. I have 2 spare coil packs in the car and can swap them in 3 minutes flat. Dealer replaced all of them anyway as a recall was issued about a year ago. My take on coil packs in general is that they will fail sooner or later. It's just the nature of it - electronics stuffed in a small and hot space. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
The 1.8T engine also has a 100K mile warranty as some of the early ones had oil sludge issues. If anything happens you'll get it replaced free of charge as long as you can show you've done diligent oil changes. I have the Blackstone Labs reports to prove it. They recommend larger oil filters for these engines now which is what I've been using.
The engine has enough torque and if you watch your right foot you could get 28-30MPG Hwy, which is not bad considering my station wagon tips the scales at 3700lbs.
The 1.8T engine also has a 100K mile warranty as some of the early ones had oil sludge issues. If anything happens you'll get it replaced free of charge as long as you can show you've done diligent oil changes. I have the Blackstone Labs reports to prove it. They recommend larger oil filters for these engines now which is what I've been using.
The engine has enough torque and if you watch your right foot you could get 28-30MPG Hwy, which is not bad considering my station wagon tips the scales at 3700lbs.
05-14-2010, 04:53 PM
#7
Drifting
Our 2000 new beetle turbo had the timing chain break at 71k that cost me a valve job ($900.00) but my mechanic stated that was not uncommon for the 1.8 turbos and suggested that all VW/Audi 1.8 turbo owners do the timing chain around 60-70k not 100k like VW/Audi advises or risk a break and valve job.
Still have the car in the family w/100k (daughter's now) and have had no other issues at all.
ZP44
Still have the car in the family w/100k (daughter's now) and have had no other issues at all.
ZP44
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05-14-2010, 04:54 PM
#8
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My kids have had several VWs and Audis with the 1.8 turbo. We have had good luck with the engines; HOWEVER, they do have a problem with engine sludge if dino oil was used and it was not changed on a regular basis. If the dealer maintained the car they would cover any repairs. The 1.8s only hold 4 qts of oil. If synthetic oil is used and changed on a regular basis, there are no issues.
05-14-2010, 05:17 PM
#9
Our 2000 new beetle turbo had the timing chain break at 71k that cost me a valve job ($900.00) but my mechanic stated that was not uncommon for the 1.8 turbos and suggested that all VW/Audi 1.8 turbo owners do the timing chain around 60-70k not 100k like VW/Audi advises or risk a break and valve job.
Still have the car in the family w/100k (daughter's now) and have had no other issues at all.
ZP44
Still have the car in the family w/100k (daughter's now) and have had no other issues at all.
ZP44
05-14-2010, 05:29 PM
#10
Drifting
I had a 2002 A4 1.8T Quattro for several years. It was very reliable. No problem areas on that car. I do recommend getting frequent oil changes though. I had a friend with a Passat 1.8T and his wife never changed the oil and the engine seized up because of 'sludge' (as noted by a previous poster).
05-14-2010, 05:55 PM
#12
Agent Orange
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Here's the 5-minute version It's for a B5 but it's the same on a B6:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pyWOdjdDdc
05-14-2010, 06:22 PM
#15
Labor is quite a bit more than that. The whole front end of the car has to be disassembled so you're really looking at the neighborhood of $2,000 for parts and labor. Unless you do it yourself of course, in which case reserve a weekend and go for it. There are many DIYs online with detailed photos.
Last edited by VNTGSPD; 05-14-2010 at 07:39 PM.