Engine warning light with P0087 or P0088, diesel clatter or no start on the 2.0 TDI common rail from contaminated fuel

Engine / equipment

2.0 TDI common rail (EA189) in the A3 (8P)

Period mentioned

2010 A3 2.0 TDI (US bulletin)

Symptoms

Engine warning light on with P0087 (rail pressure too low) or P0088 (too high), loud diesel clatter, no start or hard starting, or loss of power while driving.

Possible cause described

Contaminated or wrong fuel (water in the filling station tanks, transport errors or filling with another fuel) that leaves rust or metal shavings in the system; shavings mean a major part, such as the high-pressure pump, has been damaged. Audi technical bulletin 2023360/3 (group 01, March 2013).

Check for the garage

The garage looks for shavings, rust or dirt in the diesel filter housing (or in the pump metering valve) and takes a fuel sample in a clear container. Keep the receipt of your last fill-up: according to Audi, the warranty does not cover this fault and it is usually claimed from the filling station's insurance.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database