Audi A3 Cylinder Misfire

lori88

Hi lads,

Need a bit of technical car help. Brother recently gave me his car to sell (Audi A3 1.6 petrol 2004) and asked me to fix it up. Cut things short two of the cylinders are misfiring, Audi garage want to change fuel injectors with a cost for the part being €400 :eek: trying to think of other parts that might be causing the problem that are cheaper. My other brother done a diagnostics check and said try replacing the plugs might stop the chugging. I'm thinking the ignition coils?? Any mechanics any ideas?

Cheers,
Lorr

tossy

A diagnostic scan should tell you which cylinders are misfiring.

Check plugs.
Coil packs
HT leads

Not sure of the exact set up on the 1.6 A3 are the individual coil packs or one main one?

George Dalton

Is it a 1.6 FSI or a normal 1.6 8v?

lori88

Cylinders #1 and #2 misfiring.

Changing the plugs today but they were also changed 5 months ago, it's a normal 1.6 8V. Think it's individual coils for the A3 going to get under the hood later and take a closer look before I start ordering parts. I did notice a clicking noise coming from the engine, for all the world it sounds like the clicking as if your turning on a gas cooker if that makes any sense!

HT leads? Can you explain a bit more about this?

Thanks for your help lads...why my brother gave this job to his little sister I will never know!!

George Dalton

That clicking is most likely a spark jumping where it shouldn't be. If you start the engine in the dark you will probably see it.

Leads and coil are both common problems on those 1.6 8v engines. They are also quite awkward to access unfortunately.

lori88

Would the fact that the spark plug is jumping be causing it to be chugging while driving?

Going to try the plugs today and if that don't help next step new coils? Would that be the best option before splashing out €400 on injectors as the last resort!

Esel

lori88 wrote: »

Would the fact that the spark plug is jumping be causing it to be chugging while driving?

Going to try the plugs today and if that don't help next step new coils? Would that be the best option before splashing out €400 on injectors as the last resort!

What George said is the spark (not the spark plug) might be jumping (i.e. shorting to earth) before it gets to the spark plug. The current for the spark travels from the HT (high tension) coil via the HT lead to the spark plug.

Do what George said re starting the car in the dark. Open the bonnet, start the car and take a look in the engine compartment. You might see the spark shorting then (if it is happening). You might have to remove the engine cover first though.

Don't replace the injectors without a second opinion from a competent mechanic with diagnostic equipment.

lori88

Mechanic said it could be the HT leads so going to try that first. Thanks