Engine Diagnostics Expert Needed

Hello everyone,
I own an Audi A6 Avant from 10/94 with 103 kW and engine code AEL, and I'm experiencing the typical problems at a current mileage of 295,000 km. When the car is cold, it jerks during acceleration. At idle, the engine stutters, and when accelerating (under full load), it produces a lot of black smoke. Also, I believe the car no longer has its full power.
I'm not entirely sure, but I have the impression that the car has been running worse since the timing belt was replaced about 1000 km ago.
I've been actively reading in this forum and trying to learn as much as I can.
But the professionals all use special software to check the engine. Now, my question is: Can you recommend a workshop within a 100 km radius of Frankfurt?
Or even better, one of the professionals from this forum would be willing to connect their laptop to my car.
I would be grateful for any help.
Best regards,
Yoshi.

Why don't you want to become a professional yourself?

Why don't you order a diagnostic kit yourself from this shop and use the articles and tips available in this forum?
http://shop.dieselschrauber.de/

Therefore, you would have found the problem yourself and resolved it inexpensively.
Your AEL is already quite well-known in this forum .
Not that you should be proud of it, but this investment will save you a lot more in workshop costs down the road.

Best regards, Georg.

Hello Georg,
"It's not that I would want to be a professional hacker, but as they say, stick to what you know. I believe you when you say the investment would pay off, but you also need to be able to use such software and understand how to interpret the results."
No, it would be nice if someone could help me, because that's what a forum is for.

If I find that the software is easy to use, then we can still consider purchasing the diagnostic tool.

Best regards,
Bernd

PS: If everyone were professional burglars, then no one would need such a forum anymore .

Okay, let's get started .

Quote:

Many questions from beginners are likely to be answered by these specialized articles and links. The TDI principle Common TDI Problems Troubleshooting performance issues Other issues with VAG vehicles (please browse all pages!)

Hello Reiner,
"After always being told to figure out how to help myself here, I am quite surprised. Of course, I had read beforehand about what could be causing the symptoms I described. But as mentioned before, VAG-COM is always recommended for further diagnosis. While I appreciate that you want to train me to be a professional mechanic, there are also people like me who simply want to get help. This doesn't mean that I am too lazy to do something ".

I wouldn't sell you a desktop publishing program for several thousand euros just because you might want to change the size and resolution of the photos from your digital cameras.

The initial question remains the same:
Could you recommend a workshop in the Frankfurt area that specializes in TDI engines? Or would it be possible for a skilled mechanic with VAG-COM diagnostic capabilities to take a look at my car?

Quote:

I wouldn't sell you a DTP program for several thousand euros just because you might want to change the size and resolution of the photos from your digital cameras.

Think of it this way:

I would also find it strange if someone asked me whether I had ever come to their place to look at their pictures.

Given the amount of electronics packed into TDIs, a VAG-COM (or similar) tool is just as much part of the normal toolkit as a 13mm ring wrench or a screwdriver.

The forum primarily exists online and less so in the physical world on the streets.

That doesn't mean we want to get rid of you, or that no one will ever come to you. It just means you can't expect it.

Okay, please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will only provide the translation.

Hello Martin,
I won't be discouraged that easily .

To stick with the desktop publishing example, I'd like to help someone using professional software if they need assistance with tasks like removing scratches, isolating various elements, or retouching images. In such cases, I wouldn't recommend that they take a course to become a DTP expert.

To get back to my problem, NO, I don't expect someone to come to me. That would be downright rude. Of course, I would drive to a professional mechanic nearby, and the diagnosis could then be performed on-site. I am somewhat surprised by the statement "This forum is actually alive online, and less so in real life." From other forums (e.g., Pocketnavigation.de), I know that things can be done differently. There, they also try to provide assistance on-site if possible.

Best regards,
Bernd

dieselmartin wrote:

Given the amount of electronics in TDIs, VAG-COM (or something similar) is just as much a part of the standard toolkit as a 13mm ring wrench or a screwdriver.

Unfortunately, yes... but you can't just find a VAGCOM system with its interface and laptop at any hardware store or tool shop. The prices also vary quite a bit, and so does the level of user knowledge required.

@yoshi:
For those TDI owners facing problems, there are essentially only two solutions:
1. Workshop, unfortunately with a high risk of being overcharged and causing frustration.
2. Become a specialist yourself (e.g., using VAGCOM) and try to fix as many problems as possible on your own.

Unfortunately, for most ordinary drivers, the opportunity to personally connect with a true TDI expert is rare. And in your case, the fact that you have the 2.5-liter engine, which is considered a "niche" engine, makes it even less likely.

Surely, there must be someone among the professionals here who also owns a workshop.
It shouldn't be free, but I just don't want to have any major problems with a TDI engine.
If no one who is a professional can help with this, then surely someone must be able to recommend a good workshop near Frankfurt/Main.

This really isn't asking for too much.

Best regards,
Bernd

Hello Yoshi!

I'm experiencing a very similar problem with the same car!

'I've already replaced the injector with the needle lift adjuster! I checked the injection timing using VAG-COM, and I haven't found any other errors in the engine electronics... but the annoying idling problem persists.'

Maybe you could write a short report about what they did at the workshop and what results it achieved? I would really appreciate it!!

I personally believe in fuel injectors!
It has already clocked over 200,000 kilometers.

Best regards,
Hannes

Hi there,
You can certainly replace the nozzles, but I would try using a cleaner first.
After 200,000 km, they shouldn't be that worn out. Mine currently has 390,000 km and the first set of injectors are still working well (admittedly, it smokes a bit, but subjectively not more than when it had 100,000 km).
What does the exhaust look like immediately after a cold start?

Best regards from Berlin,
Okay, please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English. I will only provide the translation.

Hello Olli!

Actually, in my opinion, it's exactly as it should be! Not blue or black! It just creates this nice, hazy effect... but only while it's really cold! It disappears after about 1-2 uses.

Or did you want to know something else?
Best regards,
Hannes