2nd gen 3.0 TDI ALL Issues (Audi, VW, Porsche)

Issues of the second generation 3.0 TDI V6 diesel engine available in the Audi A4 (B8), Audi A5 (8T), Audi A6 (C7), Audi A7 (C7), Audi A8 (D4), Audi Q5 (8R), Audi Q7 (4L), VW Touareg 7P, Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Panamera

The second generation 3.0 TDI was available in two version - a widely known common older and a newer updated. I call the updated version a 3rd generation 3.0 TDI. But in this video you will see all the common problems of the older 2nd gen 3.0 TDI version only.

3.0 TDI V6 diesel engine common problems

0:00 - Intro & 2 versions
1:34 - Issues general
2:42 - ALL LEAKS
5:32 - Timing chain
7:30 - Other stuff
8:29 - Head gasket / Cyl. head
9:15 - Injectors
11:43 - DPF
12:32 - Coolant loss

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[Stefuu_]

As an Audi Master Technician, I aprove this Video.
Another Issue that occours with these engines is the clogging of the Intake-Manifold-Flap (Saugrohrklappe in German) with the Soot of the AGR.
Symptons are rough Idle at Cold Starts, lower Power Output and Fault Code that indicates that the Flap does no further operate (passive/sporadic)
This Issue can be fixed by thoughrougly cleaning the Flap from all the soot.

[davidhancock]

I have had an 06 A6 3l TDI no problems, a 2011 Touareg 3l TDI, small coolant leak. No problem not bothered to fix 1l per year usage.
Now have A6 Biturbo 3l TDI no problems, fantastic car and engine.

[taydencornish]

I have seen injectors fail at 100.000km.
The injectors in these engines suck and often atleast one will fail before 200k km.
The oil coolers are horrible, also fail usually at 150k km onward.
This video is extremely accurate, I've rectified all of these issues in my touareg and it sucks.
10/10 video, thankyou from Australia.

IMPORTANT EDIT - that gasket behind the front cover is steel on previous v6 tdi and a rubber gasket on 2nd gen.

[NaprawySerwisMotoryzacja]

best, most informative review on youtube. Here I found more information in 13 minutes than on the whole year searching in google

[stefanb]

Thank you for all the great content on your channel!
Please also consider making videos for the 3rd gen 3.0 TDI as well (particularly the 286 HP version) and the 2.0 TDI (190-200 HP versions).

[benturp]

My 2007 A6 3.0 tdi coming up to 300, 000 kms. Shes still got it 😅

[danr]

I work on Tregs and Q7/Q5s. I can confirm most of tgese points are correct.

[imperator]

I sold my 2015 A8 4.2 TDI last year with 297K kms.. I’ve loved every bit about it! The only issue I had are the injector washers which I replaced all 8 of them for about 150€! It is a much better engine Than the 3.0L tdi! More, effortless power and sounds nice! If you buy one with low kms you cant go wrong in my opinion!

[breakitfix]

incredible video man. absolutely nailed these engines key issues

[lui]

i have the 3.0 TDI mounted on A6 C6, the one with 171 KM (i gues first generation) I bought my A6 brand new back in 2008 and never had to make extraordinary maintenance, just, and believe me, just ordinary maintenance and never had any kind of problem except for one injector 4 years ago because i was abroad and by mistake i put petrol instead of diesel.
Greetings from Italy

[L]

You did this engine dirty bro. Issues you mention are those of very poorly serviced specimens or abused high mileage crap. Few points I agree on definitely, timing chains 200k and out and coolant flow valve inside of Vee + that flange, that leaks sooner or later regardles of mileage, more like a function of age. Other than that this engine is amazing compared to the older ones and new ones definitely! Little side note, 90% of 3rd gens problems are solved by raising an oil pressure in the ECU. ;)

[xmntal]

Great overview. Ive rectified half of these issues on my 958.2. Has 145k miles now and runs great.

[jasonathey]

Having owning this engine for a few years, and over 230, 000 miles, I will confirm a few things that I have replaced.

-Oil cooler gaskets leaked, twice
-EGR cooler leaked internally
-Oil filter housing once
-2 injectors
-All of the plastic flanges and valve under the intake leaked, twice.
-Motor mounts
-coolant reservoir
-DPF and EGR
-front oil pan gasket
- every single control arm, twice


Things to note that are positive:
-Timing chains noisy for 2 seconds on cold startup, but is normal according to Audi. You can change them out, but the chains and guides are fine.
-Turbocharger is good
-Valve cover gaskets are fine
-Front and rear timing cover seals is good, although rear main seal will leak eventually but not for me.
-Transmission, axles, differential, transfer case rock solid. No leaks, slips, noises, clunks, nothing.
-injectors are about $160-$200 and super easy to change out, can be pulled out by hand but definitely use a slide hammer, they are also vin coded to the car, so you need VCDS.
-injector bolts are torque to yield, and the injector line needs a special tool ($40)
-intercooler and hoses/elbows is fine
-radiator is fine
-radiator hoses are fine
-front oil pan doesn’t need the crossmember dropped to replace
-CP4 HPFP going strong, no issues. I Use additives.
-oil changes are super easy… you siphon the oil from the top, and the oil filter is a exposed paper filter for you to be able to inspect for any shaving or debri. You’re done in 15 mins without jacking the car up off the ground, very convenient.

The car has excellent fuel economy, 45 MPG on a straight highway and 30mpg combined driving with tons of power, 500ftlbs with a tune. It is a blast to drive and all of the creature comforts. The A8 has a 800+ mile range, and my A6 has 700+ max mile range.

My advice, delete the car immediately, they have the EGR cooler delete, EGR blanks, and DPF/Cats delete pipes all at Darkside performance for a reasonable price. Tuning is about $600, well worth it.

Everything else, is super easy to fix. There are no catastrophic issues to deal with; like rod bearings in a m3, or killer dowel pin in a 12v cummins, or catastrophic lifter failure in a 5.7 heme.. it’s just coolant or oil leaks, that’s really it. Annoying? Yes, but relatively speaking they’re not expensive to fix if you’re doing the work yourself. It looks intimidating pulling off the intake; but in all reality it’s about a 3-5 hour job start to finish with common hand tools. The hardest job would be the timing chains (which there are virtually 0 catastrophic failures on the chains; noisy? Yes but they’re good) or the plastic piece behind the front timing cover (also rare failure, but it does happen) or the HPFP.. you need a special tool to hold the timing chains, and pray you don’t need injectors.. but this is no different than any other HPFP swap in the diesel trucks.

If you are just going to take this to a shop for every little thing, it’s going to kill you with labor. Just like any other car, but if you’re willing to get your hands dirty and fix shit yourself, it’s a very pleasant engine choice for what it offers. Like this engine is a blast to drive, and the fuel economy is next level.

Also last thing, if you have this car used from 25, 000-100, 000 miles, you’re not going to have any if at all, any problems from this engine. All of the issues are after the 100, 000 mile mark.

[aborum]

350.000 km in a 3.0 TDI A6 C7G4 here. Make sure you're doing 15.000 km oil service changes. Makes a world of a difference to the engine.

[ericgreer]

Thank You. This video is NOT GARBAGE.

[alekakos]

been into vag years and never seen such good video, you gave so much info and spent hours for this. Grats!!

[vonbraun]

Great video. Funny and interesting. Won't argue with it but a video of many other engines / car makers could be made like this one. And as the miles get up there every will have parts that just wear out and will break over time. Some better than others but some engines are so badly engineered or built that it would make the TDI 3.0 look great.
I've owned many used cars over the years. The two best ones I had are a Toyota 4Runer (only starter motor needed 200k miles) and Porsche Cayenne diesel -which I still have (nothing needed--yet).
Incidentally, one of the cars I own is a Toyota (FJ Cruiser) and it has needed almost $7, 000 for repairs over the past 5 years. $7, 000 more than my Porsche Cayenne for repairs.
I agree with this video, though. Plastic parts in critical areas?? In the dumpster! Very funny.

[ManaFPS]

My Audi Q7 tdi curently has 450, 000kms and still runs amazing. Has a rocker cover gasket leak but thats a day or two job and not expensive if you do it yourself.

[onetwofourfive]

Touareg 7p5 CRCA 180kw - coolant loss, coolant in V of engine, hydrocarbons in coolant, air in coolant system, sometimes whiter smoke on cold starts in winter from left exhaust (standing behind the car). What could it be? Head gasket, cracked head, cracked egr cooler, egr cooler gasket or some combination? No faults in diagnostics. Sometimes sudden loss of coolant on highways (most probably via pressure coolant cap - I could see whole right side of car wet from coolant and coolant on right front tire/suspension), sometimes slow loss of coolant. I tried to bleed air from too engine screw, but didn’t really help and now there’s no heat from front (back heating works just fine). A mechanic recommended to take engine out and replace head gasket and see if heads are straight, but I think they should test egr cooler or its gasket at first, because that would be much cheaper repair. Any tips? Thanks!

[iareburgman]

Great video! Learned a ton about my daily driver engine. Thanks very much. Will know what to be looking out for now maintenance wise @ 115k miles