Audi A4 2.0 TDI 2009 BPW engine issues

[Carty76]

Audi A4 2.0 TDI manual
Hi all I'm looking to purchase an Audi A4 2.0 TDI manual cabriolet 2009 and hear that the BPW engine has common issues is this true as I'm not a mechanic and was hoping I could get some advice please 🙏🏼

[Mario]

Read this thread.... Question A4 2.0 tdi oil pump.

[Carty76]

Hi benten69 thanks for referring me to the linked thread, I am still unsure being a non mechanical minded person, I am looking to purchase a Audi A4 2.0 TDI cabriolet 2009 with BPW engine code and wonder if this is something to worry about as don't want to purchase to find out I need to pay ££££'s for a failure.

The car I'm looking at has 74,000 and has just had the cambelt/tensioners and water pump replaced...

Thanks Martin.

[Mario]

All details are in the thread I linked to. However if you still don't understand the details of the thread then you basically have 3 choices....either buy a car with receipts for the balance shaft modification already done or buy a car and get a good VW/Audi specialist you can trust to fit a modified KMB balance shaft (budget in £215 for parts + 4-5 hours labour) or buy the car and effectively drive a ticking time bomb.

These units tend to fail somewhere between 80,000 - 130,000 miles....some less, some more, but that's probably the average mileage range they fail at. Failure can result in total engine damage / scrap, just turbo damage or no damage depending on how quickly you turn the engine off after the Low Oil Pressure light comes on. After which point the modification will HAVE to be done anyway. So be sure to have it done before it fails, not after. Much cheaper and less hassle that way.

Other than that, no real issues to report. The BPW is the 140bhp model, so no DPF to worry about if I'm not mistaken.

[Carty76]

Hi thanks for the reply, was the balance shaft issue not a recall then if it's an issue with so many engines?

Also what is KBM? A brand/make for the modified balance shaft, I am waiting to hear back from the garage with the A4 see if it's had the modification if not its find a Audi specialist in Hampshire or go for a 3 series diesel auto BMW if these don't have major concerns 😩

Thanks
Martin

[Mario]

Hi, no there was no recall as it failed quite a bit past the warranty period, so no benefit to Audi to spend millions fixing old cars for people when they can simply play dumb and charge each customer thousands for the repair. Audi themselves only sell the full balance shaft module for circa £1200+VAT

KMB are a company who can supply modified balance shafts. As they supply just the shaft it's much cheaper. £215 + £125 deposit that you get back when you return your old one for them to modify and sell on.

Note, I am assuming that your engine has the geared version of the balance shaft module. The older (circa 2005) cars have chain driven systems that require even more work and more money in parts & labour.

If you contact KMB with the cars VIN number they will let you know exactly what kit you need and confirm pricing. Best to ask them before purchasing so you know exactly what it will cost incase my assumption of a geared driven system is wrong.

KMB website.....

Home - KMB Parts Direct

[Carty76]

Hi, ok that's great thanks and can you tell if the modification has been done by looking or just by proof of receipts? I haven't purchased the car yet as want to know what I'm up against it's a 2009 manual BPW engine code is all I know tbh, thanks for your advice it's lucky there are people like yourself about 👌🏼

I'm just obviously worried about buying this Audi now 😏

[Mario]

No you cannot tell by just looking, as it is located internally. You need to remove the sump (oil pan) to see it. Also are you SURE it's a 2009 with BPW engine? The 2009 would be a B8 chassis (2008 - 2012 shape), and the BPW engine was in the B7 chassis (2005 - 2008).

The BPW engine is a Pump Deuce (PD) engine where as the B8 chassis had Common Rail (CR) engines. CR engine codes tend to be something like CBAB or CBBB, etc.

I think you've been given the wrong information. When you go and see the car check the log book, service book and sticker in the spare wheel area, all of them will show the engine code.

Either way, even the CR engine had this issue. The design was finally "fixed" around February 2010. So if I were you, to be safe, I would buy a late 2010 car (60-plate) or newer if my budget allowed.

Also, this issue only applies to the 2.0 TDI engine. Other engines don't suffer the same issue, so you can always get different engined car.

Oh, just found this. You might find it useful....

https://www.torquecars.com/volkswage...170-tuning.php

[Carty76]

Hi ok so needs to be investigated further by a mechanic to check, I checked the registration online and this site decoded the VIN which gave me the engine code BPW it's a 2009 same shape as a 2006 last shape of the A4 cabriolet I think but cannot find BPW on the link you attached 🤔 And the only other A4 cabriolet engine in diesel is 3.0 TDI Quattro, I'm also now considering a 320D auto as heard some good things about these but I bet there is an issue with them knowing my luck!

Thanks for your time by the way and if I did go for the Audi then you recommend I get the modified shaft done straight away save any worries? Do you have any idea on how long it would take a mechanic to do that and would you say it needs to be a Audi specialist?

Thanks
Martin