Audi loss of acceleration

Heroditas

Howdy folks - strange problem appeared in the car last week (2003 1.8T A4). When I accelerate hard the car seems to lose power for a split second before then regaining revs and powering away. It's not jerky, it's almost as if I take the foot off the accelerator for a split second before putting the foot down again. It mainly happens in second gear and very rarely in third and has not appeared at all in the higher gears.
Does it sound like a slipping clutch or a partially blocked fuel filter? I've noticed it around the 4000-5000 RPM mark.
It's a bit of a bummer, having a bad run of luck recently with the car.
The engine warning light came on once too and cleared itself after a couple of seconds so that would indicate to me that it's not a clutch problem.
Any ideas folks?

Another blimmin' trip to the garage is approaching. :mad:

crosstownk

Could be a coil pack. You'll really need a diagnostic check to get to the bottom of it.

PauloMN

Or the MAF sensor, which seems to be an easy fix from what I've read (never done it myself).

The coil packs were an issue with '01/'02 cars - this from honestjohn.co.uk:

All 1.8 20V turbos built from around August 2001 to October 2002 can suffer from failure of one or more of the four ignition coils, which lead to a dispute between VAG and a supplier and a severe shortage of coils from November 2002 to January 2003.

How is the idling?

Heroditas

Revs up to 1200 when I start it and then settles down to 900 very quickly.
Absolutely no vibration when sitting idling and it always stays at the 800/900 RPM with very little deviation from that.

The problem is very very intermittent and only appeared for the first time last Tuesday.

PauloMN

I would doubt it's the coil pack then to be honest, and it might have been replaced already anyway. Getting a diagnostic check would be best. If you know anyone with VAG-COM and the relevant cable they could do this. The fact that the warning light came on means you should have a recording on the ECU of the fault.

I have same car by the way, same year and engine. How do you find it on oil?

Matt Simis

Try disconnecting the MAF sensor connector (look this up, no point me describing it) and see how it drives. Very easy and quick test, if it drives a bit better then its likely the MAF. MAFs go and are going on lots of cars, people and garages tend to totally mis-diagnose the issue.

Also look for split vacuum hose (run/rev the engine with the bonnet open, listen for gushing air noises).


PS: As above, buy a VagCom for the next issue, at the very least you know if the garage are trying to screw you.

Heroditas

PauloMN wrote: »

I would doubt it's the coil pack then to be honest, and it might have been replaced already anyway. Getting a diagnostic check would be best. If you know anyone with VAG-COM and the relevant cable they could do this. The fact that the warning light came on means you should have a recording on the ECU of the fault.

I have same car by the way, same year and engine. How do you find it on oil?

Funnily enough, it's ok on oil. I had a problem with oil a month or two ago where it appeared that previous servicing (only got it in September) had used poor grade oil and I had to get the sump dropped to get the gauze cleaned out. Bloody thing was about 50% blocked with carbon.

Might bring it out to the local mechanic and get him to hook up the diagnostic kit. He's decent enough to let you peer over his shoulder.

Gumbo

start with the basics mate, i had this problem with my evo and it turned out the sparkplugs came loose.

i tightened them up and it was perfect!

worth a check as it could be a free fix

cashmni1

sounds like the MAF alright. If it were the coil pack, it would be very evident. However the MAF can get worse in the scence that the sensor gets more and more blocked.
I only know this because it is happening my own car as well at the moment. It seems an awful lot of VAG engines have this fault with the MAF.
At lower speeds, in lower gears it seems like you lift your foot for a second and lift off the accelerator. Seems to happen when cold too but its not happening that much with mine yet.
Mine is a Passat TDI and I find it pronounces the turbo lag. It just doesn't feel as crsip as it should. No real loss of power (yet:eek:)

PauloMN

Heroditas wrote: »

Funnily enough, it's ok on oil. I had a problem with oil a month or two ago where it appeared that previous servicing (only got it in September) had used poor grade oil and I had to get the sump dropped to get the gauze cleaned out. Bloody thing was about 50% blocked with carbon.

Might bring it out to the local mechanic and get him to hook up the diagnostic kit. He's decent enough to let you peer over his shoulder.

I'd only use 5W-30 fully synthetic oil meeting the VAG specifications (504/507). Halfords do one in their own brand that's about half the price of the Mobil equivalent. I believe it's common for the oil to sludge up if the wrong grade is used.

As regards VAG-COM, a cable like this:
http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VAGUSB.html

and the shareware version of VAG-COM (free to download/try) is all you need (well you need a PC of course). Going to get one myself to try it out.

Heroditas

cashmni1 wrote: »

At lower speeds, in lower gears it seems like you lift your foot for a second and lift off the accelerator. Seems to happen when cold too but its not happening that much with mine yet.
Mine is a Passat TDI and I find it pronounces the turbo lag.

Yup, that's the problem described to a tee. A slight pause, almost a dip in revs and then kicks in again. The turbo lag is really pronounced. Always in the same rev bandwidth and in lower gears when attempting to accelerate hard, e.g. getting out onto the main road where the traffic is moving fast.

M'kay... what sort of cost am I looking at for this? I know this is like asking "how long is a piece of string" but I need to brace myself for more feckon' pain.

Matt Simis

Heroditas wrote: »

M'kay... what sort of cost am I looking at for this? I know this is like asking "how long is a piece of string" but I need to brace myself for more feckon' pain.

MAFs are expensive from the dealer (like EUR100+ IRC). You can get them on eBay new, used or re-manufactured (which is what you get from motor parts retailers like GSF, but they do work fine). I bought the wrong one ages ago and was selling it cheap, go check the PN on your unit (written on the plastic casing) and see if its the same: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=130295199334

Damien360

i have same problem as cashmi1 has in his passat but mine is a mondeo 1.8 tdci . I have noticed it in cruise control at 120 also . Very intermittant . Any other suggestions ?

Heroditas

Had to pop out there and gave the car a bit of welly - one or two shudders in the lower gears when it was cold and also the engine light came on.
Well at least it doesn't appear to be the clutch!!!!!

Better give the lads in the garage a ring tomorrow, They'll be delighted :rolleyes:

cashmni1

Heroditas wrote: »

Had to pop out there and gave the car a bit of welly - one or two shudders in the lower gears when it was cold and also the engine light came on.
Well at least it doesn't appear to be the clutch!!!!!

Better give the lads in the garage a ring tomorrow, They'll be delighted :rolleyes:

let us know how you get on. Good luck dude.

stratos

+1 on split breather or some air related hose, age is about right.

JimmyCrackCorn!

stratos wrote: »

+1 on split breather or some air related hose, age is about right.

Hand that cause a vw passat to rev between gears randomly

R.O.R

I reckon it's one of the coils about to give up the ghost. Had a similar issue with my old Octavia RS (Same engine). I'd put the foot down, first would be OK but when I shifted to second there was nothing for about a second, then you'd get the full bang of power.

About a week after this, coming on to the M1 at Whitehall, dropped to fourth, pulled to the outside lane and buried it only to be met with no response from the car except the flashing engine light - coil had finally packed up.

OP, if it were me, I'd check your engine code (AUQ was mine), pick up a coil for about €40 and leave it in the boot just in case. Even if the coils have been replaced they could still go leaving you on 3 cylinders.

yop

I had a similar problem but mine was just dead acceleration. This was on a 1.9 tdi. But if you stopped and restarted the car then it was ok! Only happend once or twice in the year.

Heroditas

Thanks for the advice guys!
Gave the garage a ring and they told me to bring it in to check the error codes. Mechanic reckons it's the MAF. Fingers crossed.....

yop

You might let us know how you get on please re pricing and that if you have the time!

8vjohn

Did the traction control light come on and stay on at all?
I had the same symptoms in my 1.8t gti and it was the maf.
Bosch wanted 300e for a new one but I got the cheapo one which was a big mistake! The car ran terrible so I brought it back and got a reconditioned bosch one for 150e and full warranty.

Heroditas

I actually did have that come on once for a split second.

Anyway, dropped it in and we both had a look at the error codes....

It's a fault with an ignition coil. The car still has the original Bosch coils in it. It was obviously never brought back when cars of that vintage were recalled to fix the issue back in 2003. The recommendation was to change all 4 of them - €46 per coil and €20 labour. I'm dropping in tomorrow to get them changed once he has them in. 'Effin' sweet :P

Now, who guessed it right? :P

R.O.R

Heroditas wrote: »

I actually did have that come on once for a split second.

Anyway, dropped it in and we both had a look at the error codes....

It's a fault with an ignition coil. The car still has the original Bosch coils in it. It was obviously never brought back when cars of that vintage were recalled to fix the issue back in 2003. The recommendation was to change all 4 of them - €46 per coil and €20 labour. I'm dropping in tomorrow to get them changed once he has them in. 'Effin' sweet :P

Now, who guessed it right? :P

I think I win a Gold star? :D:D

8vjohn

I'm stickin with maf. Hardly an o2 sensor or anything like that?

Matt Simis

Damn it my guess was wrong!

8vjohn

Reveal it!!

Matt Simis

8vjohn wrote: »

Reveal it!!

Highlight it with your mouse!

8vjohn

oh!!

BlackWizard

8vjohn wrote: »

Reveal it!!

Awh..hahah I remember when that was me once...

8vjohn

cashmni1

Heroditas wrote: »

I actually did have that come on once for a split second.

Anyway, dropped it in and we both had a look at the error codes....

It's a fault with an ignition coil. The car still has the original Bosch coils in it. It was obviously never brought back when cars of that vintage were recalled to fix the issue back in 2003. The recommendation was to change all 4 of them - €46 per coil and €20 labour. I'm dropping in tomorrow to get them changed once he has them in. 'Effin' sweet :P

Now, who guessed it right? :P

Not me, anyway good stuff. At least you won't be raped by the garage. Happy days.

Tea drinker

I wouldn't have guessed that , would have gone with:
1 Busted turbo recirc valve
2 Damaged air hose(s)
3 MAF.

Should the dealer cover your costs on the materials? Don't they still "owe" you the new parts due to the faulty batch in '03?

Heroditas

Tea drinker wrote: »

Should the dealer cover your costs on the materials? Don't they still "owe" you the new parts due to the faulty batch in '03?

Well I bought it second hand and the warranty from that has now elapsed.
Alternatively I could contact Audi and see what they say. I had to replace the fuel line last month because the original had worn through! Now that was a serious problem as the car spewed petrol onto the road! :eek:

Tea drinker

Heroditas wrote: »

Well I bought it second hand and the warranty from that has now elapsed.
Alternatively I could contact Audi and see what they say. I had to replace the fuel line last month because the original had worn through! Now that was a serious problem as the car spewed petrol onto the road! :eek:

Open to correction, but as far as I know it covers the car on new ownership...

Anyway - funny story, my 03 passat sprung a petrol leak too, a pipe (metal, coated with plastic) failed on my passat. It sprayed a jet of petrol over the top of the engine onto the exhaust, catalyst turbo etc. Dunno how it didn't catch fire. This is not a maintenance item, the pipe is unaltered and mounted correctly in it's holder on the firewall etc.
I contacted VW who say there is no outstanding warranty work on my car :rolleyes: . This is a 03 car, I'ver searched online, it has happened to others, the pipe breaks at a kink they put in it at the factory.
Obviously VW know about it, but the cost of the recall is more than the consequences. Pretty surprised at that German engineering and attitude.
They had a recall recently for some where the heatshield goes on fire.

Heroditas

yop wrote: »

You might let us know how you get on please re pricing and that if you have the time!

€230 for the 4 coils to be replaced.