USUAL problems A3 SPORT QUATTRO 1.8T?

[bigcooler]

Hi guys im going to look at an A3 sport quattro 1.8T 2000 tomorrow just wanted to know your opinions.

anyone know any usual problems to look out for? also are there any engine related problems to look out for?

thanks ben

[DeanG]

We have a a4 b6 avant 1.8t Quattro. The 1.8 engines are super reliable and regular oil changes are fairly important. Turbos spool up fairly quickly, so they are fairly torque, but definitely run out of steam at the top end. We get about 32mpg out of ours.

[bigcooler]

sorry guys forgot to mention it dose have a engine problem unsure what it is yet just been told its blown up (but i have never seen an engine literary blow up), what sort of things go wrong

[Sleeper_Avant]

oil pickup becomes blocked and top end rattles, oil light on also

run low on oil level and destroy rings

thrashed examples can do headgaskets

cams wear out (only on skoda VRS i find, odd!)

usual turbo cars, poor maintanance, **** oil and non regular changes

breather/vac pipes

electrical sensors

cooling system/water pump issues

Its a car, every component is prone to failure lol

They are generally very reliable, people always remember the bad things and never the good

i dont like the cheap tacky easily scratched interior plastics personally

Engines are ten a penny, but not "cheap", many many revisions and engine codes must be followed unless your good with "making it fit"

[bigcooler]

what are the differences between the S3 and the sport quattro engines? e.g. use the same block, rods crank? or completely different.

just trying to size up (depending on whats wrong) weather its worth rebuilding using s3 parts or just get another engine.

[Monkeymagic]

I second the coked up oil pump pick up. This is caused through lack of oil change and wrong oils. Light comes on people check level it's okay and keep driving thinking it's sensor. Other main issues I see are split vac and breather pipes high under bonnet temps and oil on rubber etc. If looked after they are very strong and reliable.
Also rocker cover gasket leak is common but cheap and easy fix.

[Sleeper_Avant]

i would need an engine code to pass judgement on engine swops

but, rule of thumb, visual check on coilpacks would say an engine "fits" i.e bolt on or push on coilpacks

dont bother with S3 stuff, uprated stuff for the 1.8T is massively massively available for buttons, so it`d be rude not to go steel rods, forged pistons, blah blah blah, yes?

[bigcooler]

OK i will try to get engine code and see what type of coil packs are on it then see what you think would be better, what sort of power can be run with stock engine?

[Monkeymagic]

It's wildly believed that the stock engine with a big valve head and vvt eg 180 bhp engines as standard will take 300 bhp with stock internals. What long term reliability is like though....? My wife has a BAM engined 225 TT it's no slouch quite happy at 2000 rpm even in 6th. Personally I don't find the drive that exciting but it's too modern for me. I owned a 210 s3 a couple of years back and that was a nice drive.

[Sleeper_Avant]

again 300 seems the magical figure on standard internals with a big turbo and intercooler/injectors

with modified internals the skys the limit, Gilly @ Veedubs up north runs a very very quick 400ish bhp A3/S3 hybrid on ME7 that soes 0-60 in the 3`s!
fully trimmed and cruises really well from what he said

[Sleeper_Avant]

and that is mapped very very safe on not a lot of boost and very light flywheel from memory but its been a while since we spoke, good lad and very clever if you want veedubs number to speak to them? (they are a VW breaker, very helpful and very very knowledgeable!)

[bigcooler]

to be honest im an 80s/90s guy i think the cars have more character and find newer stuff a bit samey but that's just me.

this will be the newest car I've ever had

[Monkeymagic]

Think these are 180 as standard get it running well and you shouldnt be disappointed with standard power. You always end up wanting more go but when I bought my s3 after having a 180 bhp octy vrs and the most noticeable difference was handling cos of shorter chassis better suspension and 4wd. The 30 bhp difference could be had with better intercooler and map I.m sure. Good thing is sports are damn site cheaper than s3 too

[bigcooler]

im running somewhere around 390hp with my s2 saloon (rep) at the mo but was just interested in what they could take (if i like it that is )

[Monkeymagic]

The tt feels boring compared to my s2 which is running 230 ish. This is prob because it is more refined and doesn't roar like a 5 pot. Depends what you want a3 for I guess. But it comes down to what you like a guy I work with reckons my s2 is an old mans car. He drives a Renault! Modern cars are more refined safer etc which makes sense but can be dull