Worn camshafts, air mass meter and injection pump on the 2.5 TDI V6

Engine / equipment

2.5 TDI V6 with distributor pump: Audi A4 (B5 and B6), A6 (C5) and VW Passat B5

Period mentioned

1997–2005

Symptoms

An engine that runs rough, loss of power or hesitation; now and then the injection pump fails; oil leaks from the engine or gearbox.

Possible cause described

AUTO BILD (March 2008) reports more and more complaints about the A4's 2.5 V6 because of worn camshafts (Audi did not issue a recall) and adds that the Multitronic gearbox fails mainly with this engine, because of its high torque. On the A6 (1997–2004), AUTO BILD lists faulty air mass meters causing loss of power or hesitation, injection pumps that fail now and then and oil leaks from the engine and gearbox, mainly on the TDI. The Passat B5 has the same engine.

Check for the garage

If the engine gets noisier or runs worse with the miles, have the garage check the camshafts by removing the cam covers. Read the codes and test the air mass meter before touching the pump. With the Multitronic gearbox, ask for its history and check that it does not jerk or slip.

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