Common VW Audi Seat Skoda 2.0 TDi Problems [Fault Guide]

A deep dive and look at the VW Audi Group 2.0 TDi and the most common issues, faults and problems. Most of the issues in this video were evident in the PD engines, later engines fixed many of these problems although a few persisted such as carbon build up and DPF clogging.

Avoid a TDI engine failure by reading our guide to the frequent problems on these 2.0 VW Audi Group TDi engines.

This is a superb engine offering lots of TDI power and economy, and was the diesel engine I chose for my A3.

I was very happy with it, but there are some common issues, faults and problems that kept cropping up in my mailbox which is best to keep an eye out for and look for ways to prevent these problems from happening.

We look at
Fan Controller Issue (Cut Out Failure)
Carbon Build up in the 2.0 TDi head
DPF Filter Problems
Cracking Cylinder Heads
Drive Belt Chain Tensioners
Audi TDi failure
VW TDi Failure
Seat TDI Failure
Skoda TDI Failure
TDi problems
TDi Power Issues

Common TDI issues that crop up on the 2.0 TDi from VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat fall into a few areas, which we cover and explain in this video, helping you to diagnose, solve and fix these problems or at the very least look out for them before they become an issue.

Our full detailed guide to these problems is outlined at....

We also have a full tuning guide for this engine.

Footage Credits
British Motor Museum

[Mickytdi]

I have a 2017 2.0 BiTDI 240bhp Passat ( remapped to 290bhp since new) I have now covered 176, 000 miles. Engine still perfect. Still has all its power. Issues to date are the wet clutches on the DQ500 DSG were replaced and the flywheel at 160, 000 miles. Also the fuel metering valve on the fuel pump recently went faulty giving a fuel rail pressure too high fault code. Got a new one on eBay for approx 70 quid. That’s it! I change the oil every 10, 000 miles and it doesn’t use a drop between services. I change fuel and air filter every 4th oil change.

[eugeneburns]

I'm still seriously thinking of buying 2tdi this was a great help...

[craigladewig]

Upgraded to solid flywheel and VR6 clutch kit on my 2.0 Tdi (CLC). No complaints about the extra noise at idle.

[kg]

Have now 310 000km on it, only problem was the flyhweel at 250 000km. Very good engine with no problems.

[nathanfischer]

Such a great channel. Keep up the good work!

[redthreadzen]

Thanks, have a 2013 tuned CFFB, no issues so far. Like to see the mods in you future vids. 👍 The written upgrade guide is great and I had a good read before investing in the tune.

[gregroles]

PD170 Siemens injectors can be the loom insulation hardening in the oil as much as oil ingress into the injectors themselves, they run in parallel, so any short in the entire loom system and they all stop. You won't get any misfire warnings, just engine stops. I was involved in getting this recall to happen with a few key lads worldwide. I'd suggest replacing the loom if it ever starts feeling hard inside the tappet cover with a revised genuine one. "New injectors" just have improved seals, and will simply last longer. My problem item was loom. Audi revised loom was better again. Be very careful to understand the external loom locking plug, easy to stuff this up and get poor connections if you mess up the plastics.

As for dual mass, my stocko lasted 270thou kms at about 450nm and was given a hard time, so it seems to be luck of the draw. I've replaced it with a LUK dual mass which apparently does not come apart like the SACHS one can if it fails. Planning on over 500nm through it soon, so see how we go.

Use quality fuel, track your DPF and oil ash load on an app ( the stuff that can't regenerate ), and complete any running regeneration if you can. Use 504 oil for the DPF, and 507 oil for the PD cam wear. Change the oil on time or earlier, the DPF regens put a lot of diesel into the oil during late injection regenerations, and they heat the whole engine bay up to over 200 degrees. Make sure battery is insulated, regens kill open batteries more quickly. Most PD170's came with a wrap or a plastic box for this reason.

As said below your written guides are excellent, and I've yet to see anything but great advice on your videos, and learnt a thing or two!

[peterepeat]

Great vide once again, Which year engines had the chains and the belts. Thank you for your support and the in advance

[jameswallis]

Passat 2.0 gt model 2018 and had from new..
Now on 230k miles, same turbo, same egr, same dpf, same gearbox and fly wheel and same injectors !!
Had a new start stop battery at 200k and alternator at 200k!!
Only drama is the rear tyres🛞 on inner edges going lumpy from the camber! Had it adjusted so many times but I gave up now on that lol
Perfect taxi 🚕

[KYNQxEdz]

Thanks for the informative video ! I’m very new to this Volkswagen engines and all .. just saw one for sale in my country in Fiji, a 2017 Jetta with a 2.0L TDI with 125K mileage and going for 21K FJd … thought I’d do some research on this cars and their engines and issues .. I was at your website that’s what brought me here to your channel

[jimmtl]

My 2013 Jetta TDI has been towed to the garage twice in 2 months. First it was the alternator that broke mid road trip and left me stranded, then a few days ago the clutch just became super loose out of nowhere and I'm unable to put it in gear :/ i know everyone says these cars are super reliable but I'm losing confidence in it fast. I've already spent thousands on replacinng the suspension, deleting the egr because it was broken, changing the timing belt and water pump etc. I'm wondering if I should take the L and just buy a Toyota or stick with my Jetta and hope nothing else breaks.

[demonsubi]

I got rid of my dual mass flywheel. Honestly don’t even notice the difference and now I don’t have to worry about it taking a crap again. Started to come apart at 90k miles

[prestonsears]

Some of these problems can be easily solved by deleting the emissions system

[mohbounu]

Really appreciate your videos, you definitely deserve more subs

[angusm]

Back in 2014 i owned a bkd Golf 2.0 tdi 2004 model, also ended up with a cracked cylinder head, injectors failing etc. It was bad

[ArgyllPiper]

Hi mate - really good video. I have a 2016 Skoda Octavia 2.0 Se Tdi with 56k miles. Solid car up until now but recently the engine temperature gauge fluctuates and goes up into the red. It doesn’t happen every time I drive. No coolant is being lost and the engine fan sometimes works hard. Do you think this is either the coolant sensor or a thermostat issue?

[maxima]

My 2009 tdi with stage 2 mapped / free breathing engine is now at 378k km. It's pucked everywhere since a tree fell on it but it is still going strong with its scrapyard sourced hood, driver door and trunk lid 😝 Best commuter car I have had to drive weekly between my house and cottage over 100km apart.

[francisau]

Thanks doing such a detailed video! Does the 2008 Audi A4 B8 2.0 tdi have the exact 2.0 tdi engine you ve mentioned? Cheers!

[SaurninCOINCOIN]

Hi i think from what i readed the model with C cylinders head are the engine from and after 2006. So be sure yours is at least from 2006 and if 2007 it's even more likely to have a C Cylinder head i guess.

[Stillbusy]

I don’t see anywhere on the website about the specific engines or faults etc?? Would be helpful feature!