Technical Service Bulletin
01 MIL on, no start or rough running (DTC P0087 - Rail fuel pressure too low or DTC P0088 - Rail fuel
pressure too high)
01 13 79 2023360/3 March 20, 2013. Supersedes Technical Service Bulletin Group 01 number 11-18 dated
January 25, 2011 for reasons listed below.

Model(s)

Year

VIN Range

Vehicle-Specific Equipment

A3

2010

All

2.0 TDI clean diesel Engine

Audi Q7

2009 – 2010

All

3.0 TDI clean diesel Engine

Condition
REVISION HISTORY
Revision

Date

Purpose

3

-

Revised header data (Added MY and applicable models)

2

1/25/2011

Revised header data (Added MY)
Revised Service and Condition
Revised title

1

5/17/2010

Original publication

• MIL on.
• DTC P0087 (Rail fuel pressure too low) or DTC P0088 (Rail fuel pressure too high) stored in the memory of the
engine control module (ECM), J623 (01).
• Excess rattling (“diesel clatter”) coming from engine.
• No start or hard starting condition.
• Loss of power while driving due to fuel system contamination.
• Contaminated fuel found in fuel system.
• Rust or metal debris found in fuel system.

© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Background
Contaminated or incorrect fuel can cause performance, drivability, and/or fuel delivery problems. Rust or metallic
debris found in the fuel system indicates a major component failure. Additional component replacement may be
necessary to ensure that no contamination or debris remains after repair.
Reasons for fuel contamination can include water ingress in the gas station’s holding tanks, errors made in fuel
transport, and incorrect fuel being dispensed into the vehicle via the customer or service station (full service)
employees.

Production Solution
Not applicable.

Service
Tip: Fuel system damage incurred by the use of fuel not complying to ASTM-D-975 Grade 2 S15 (B5 or less
biodiesel content) standards will not be covered under warranty. The best practice in this situation is to have the
repairs covered by the insurance company of the gas station selling the contaminated fuel. This process can be
initiated by vehicle owners contacting their own insurance company.
Note: Failure to follow these directions may result in immediate damage to any replacement parts due to fuel
system contamination.

© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
1. Inspect the fuel filter housing:
If there is any indication of fuel
contamination, metal shavings/debris, or
rust inside the fuel filter housing (Figures 1
and 2), call the Technical Assistance
Center (TAC) and open a ticket before
attempting any repair.

Figure 1. Example of metal shavings and debris on top of fuel
filter. Some shavings can be picked up with a magnet.

Figure 2. Example of rust in fuel system caused by
water contamination.
If the fuel filter is not a serviceable unit (example: MY 2011+ Q7 TDI), then inspection must be performed at
the fuel metering valve N290:
Note: Exercise caution when removing the N290. Any dirt/contamination entering the pump will cause
irreversible damage.
1. Before removing the N290, carefully clean the surrounding area.

© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
2. If there is no metallic debris found on the N290 or within its hosing, refit the N290 valve immediately. Make
sure both O rings are undamaged. If there is any damage to either O ring, the high pressure fuel pump
must be replaced.
3. When fitting the N290, slightly wet the lower O ring with diesel fuel or oil.
4. Push in the N290 using only light pressure.
5. Tighten both M5 bolts hand tight – do not lubricate the thread.
6. Pre-tighten with 2 Nm, then 6.5-7 Nm.
If there is any indication of fuel
contamination, metal shavings/debris, or
rust inside the N290 valve (Figures 3 and 4),
call the Technical Assistance Center
(TAC) and open a ticket before
attempting any repair.

Figure 3. Metallic debris in N290 housing.

Figure 4. Metallic debris on screen of N290 metering valve.
© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.

Technical Service Bulletin
2. Take a sample of fuel from the filter housing
and place it in a clear container. Wait for the
fuel to settle and take notice of any
separation of fluids or debris/sludge within
the fuel.

Figure 5. Fuel in the left container is contaminated.
3. If there is any evidence of fuel contamination, request that the customer produce any possible record of their
last fuel purchase.

Warranty
This TSB is informational only and not applicable to any Audi warranty.

Additional Information
All parts and service references provided in this TSB are subject to change and/or removal. Always check with
your Parts Department and service manuals for the latest information.

© 2013 Audi of America, Inc.

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All rights reserved. Information contained in this document is based on the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property rights of
Audi of America, Inc., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other sites, without the prior
expressed written permission of the publisher.