Engine not ticking over correctly

ToxicPaddy

I noticed this over the last few days, my car doesnt seem to be ticking over correctly when I'm stopped at lights etc, usually only happens for the first few minutes after starting from cold but you can actually feel the car shuddering a little and the rev counter needle is going up and down but only by a hundred or so revs..

Its a 1.8 petrol, Audi, serviced about 2 months ago, everything appears fine with it, no problems starting, no oil or anything leaking and all levels appear good. No warning lights appearing.

Any ideas?

L-M

It's more than likely the fact that the car is very very cold, and you have the heaters on full:D

Philush

happens my own focus too when its cold,nothing to worry about on my own car anyway,its just that the engine is cold,once your cars not cutting out when your slowing down or sounding like its misfiring id doubt its anything to worry about,we havent had mornings this cold in a while like so you just mighntnt have noticed it

ToxicPaddy

Limerick-man wrote: »

It's more than likely the fact that the car is very very cold, and you have the heaters on full:D

You bet yer a*s I do... tis waaaayy too cold to be sitting there waiting for the car to warm up before I can..

Yeah hopefully thats all it is as the car isnt used everyday so I thought it was just a problem brewing that I havent noticed..

Goodluck2me

I get it as well, and its the most annoying thing ever when it happens, especially sitting in traffic, it affects the accelaration too as it doesn;t kick in in time.
the worst part is that its like the emprerors clothes in that everytime ive taken it to be checked out it magically fixes itself first!

L-M

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

You bet yer a*s I do... tis waaaayy too cold to be sitting there waiting for the car to warm up before I can..

Yeah hopefully thats all it is as the car isnt used everyday so I thought it was just a problem brewing that I havent noticed..

Just drove a Passat there, very same.

Tea drinker

My passat 1.8t runs rough (especially when cold) if I have a leaky vacuum or turbo hose. Is your motor turbo?
Do you know if they changed the plugs when it was serviced? Worn or wrong plugs can cause bad cold running.

ToxicPaddy

Sorry for dragging this up again but the isssue is still there..

Yup, its a turbo and yup, they changed the plugs last time it was serviced, about 5k miles ago now, its happening more now, even when the engine is warm and the car has been driving for an hour or more on long journeys.

Might send it in for a check up just in case.

Thanks,
Tox

Moanin

Could be the Mass Airflow sensor. I know they give trouble in the VAG models

ToxicPaddy

Moanin wrote: »

Could be the Mass Airflow sensor. I know they give trouble in the VAG models

Is it a big job to fix? Expensive?

Moanin

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

Is it a big job to fix? Expensive?

I'm not a mechanic.Maybe a mechanic boards member could help you out there?

Mycroft H

ToxicPaddy wrote: »

Is it a big job to fix? Expensive?

No you could do it your self. Is a little sensor that sits in between the air filter and the engine. Its about 100 euro for a new one.

mickdw

I would get any hoses around the engine checked for splits/leaks particularily the vacuum hose from engine to brake servo unit. You could check this one yourself. I had the symptoms you describe on an old audi 80 once. It just didnt idle right causing a small shudder. I didnt do anything about it til one morning I drove away and had no brake assistance at all and nearly had an accident. I found the vacuum pipe badly split.
New pipe - shudder gone, brakes fixed

gyppo

Similar problem experienced with a Volvo S40. Gummed up throttle body was the cause. Taking it off and giving it a good clean (half hours work) solved it for me.