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All diesel-powered versions of the Audi A1 are fitted with Dayco High Tenacity (HT) ‘white’ timing belts as the original equipment fitment, so the only way to offer a genuine like-for-like replacement is to fit a Dayco HT timing belt kit. Dayco HT timing belt kits also come with added benefit of the Long Life +1 Year warranty, which safeguards motorists for a total of three years from the date of installation.

Originally developed by Dayco for the 1.6 diesel unit, the current range of diesel engines used throughout the VW/Audi group and therefore in the A1, also feature a toothed belt driven oil pump, which runs in a bath of oil. The advantages of the system include a reduction in engine friction, quieter operation and reduced engine emissions.

First Line – Steering Components

First Line would like to advise its customers that five months following its launch, Audi changed the wishbones it fitted to the A1. As a result, customers need to make sure they are specifying the correct wishbone for the vehicle when ordering a replacement.

Accurate catalogue information is available through First Line’s WebCat electronic catalogue system, so customers should check first to ensure the correct wishbone is ordered. However, irrespective of the version, as would be expected from the UK’s largest steering & suspension supplier, First Line holds both versions in stock for immediate delivery.

Sven Nielsen, Technical Director from MEYLE, says the following difficulties may arise with the Audi A1:

Stabiliser links often worn out

Problem:

Intense strain and high surface pressure wear and stress on the ball joint. This causes a premature failure of the ball joint and generates noise at the front axle.

MEYLE-HD Solution:

MEYLE in-house engineers increased the diameter of the ball head of the ball joint to 22 mm, in addition to using wear-resistant synthetic ball sockets with high-tech grease. The reduction of the surface pressure ensures a significantly longer lifetime.

Lucas Oils says there is often confusion about the correct oil specification suitable for early and late models in this series.
Up until about ten years ago, engines fitted to the Audi A1 series used a 5w30, fully synthetic oil. Models manufactured from about the middle of the decade were switched to a 0W30, fully synthetic specification, which was part of a trend seen among several high volume vehicle manufacturers at that time.

Gear shifting problems caused by software fault

Audi A1 1.2 TFSI

Reference number(s): 55G3 This measure is part of a multiple service action. The service action has been correspondingly marked.
Fault symptoms: Shift position is not recognised.
Causes: Software fault
Remedy: Perform software update on engine control unit.
Software update carried out using diagnostic unit VAS 5051 B. Job should be documented in the service booklet, if this job has already been performed.
Required Labour Times: Perform software update on engine control unit - 0,20h

Audi A1 (8X1/8XA) in production from 05/2010

Front and Rear Suspension

A1 hatchback and sportback models will have been supplied from the factory with any one of four different suspension types : standard, sports, S-Line or rough road. Mechanics should check the suspension type prior to ordering replacement springs, shock absorbers or bump stops to ensure they receive the correct parts. The Audi A1 builds on Volkswagen's PQ25 platform so many of the springs fitted can also be found on other VW models, e.g. the Polo Mark 5 and the Seat Ibiza Mark 4.

Audi A1 engines can suffer with excessive oil burning caused by sticking piston rings due to contamination build up in the oil system. To cure the fault it is recommended to carry out Forté Clean and Protect, 45 minute Advanced Formula Motor Flush adding Oil System Protector to the new oil and adding Forté Advanced Formula Gas Treatment into the fuel tank on petrol vehicles or Forté Advanced Formula Diesel Treatment into the fuel tank on diesel vehicles. It is also recommended to clean the oil and fuel system regularly at service to help maintain efficient combustion and prevent the fault reoccurring.

The Audi A1 is not that bad when it comes to the Starter Motor or Alternator, in fact I have an Audi A1!

The only thing to bear in mind is to check the OE numbers from the vehicle or engine code as some cars have STOP/START technology and some models such as the 185PS 1.4TFSI Petrol does not.

No other common issues with the rotating electrics.

A few notes about the Audi A1 (2010 onwards):

Engine Oil

For this particular vehicle, Audi list only one or two specifications for engine oil which should be covered by Comma Prolife 5W30 or Syner G 5W40, depending on the service regime and engine.

With service intervals of up to 19000 miles, supplying the customer with a top up pack and reminding them that they should be checking the engine oil regularly (see handbook for guidance) might also be prudent here. A quick check before you change might be a good way of reinforcing the importance of top up to the customer. Combined with longer service intervals and the increased use of sensitive components like turbochargers, a smaller sump size makes checking your oil more critical than ever before.

Need to change the timing chain on an Audi A1?

When it comes to replacing the timing chain on an Audi A1, you can’t do better than choose a complete kit from FAI. Everything you need to make a successful repair is included in one box.

The original chain in the 1KR-FE “stretches” and the need to replace the necessary parts is not uncommon.

For the Audi A1, we offer TCK80/TCK87/TCK87WO & TCK87VVT kits: the specifications for the correct application can be found on the FAI web-site and the technical department can also help with any questions that a fitter might have.

FAI Timing Chain Kits meet OE specifications and will regain engine synchronicity once fitted.