Emission Control System Warning Light / S3 8P

s3_trev

s3_trev

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So let me tell you folks what happened me tonight!

I pulled out to pass a car, and planted the s3 in 4th gear. Everything was fine initially, as I was just about to pass the car, the power dropped suddenly, and the orange emission control system light started blinking on my dash. This had never happened before, and with the sudden loss of power I thought something had gone seriously tits up!

I safely returned to my own side of the road after passing the car, but eased off the throttle considerably. As the light was orange, I knew that it was important but It didnt require me to actually stop (like a red light would). So I drove gently, and after about 20 seconds the light went away. When I got to my destination I checked the drivers manual, where I found out the light was the emission control system light. There wasnt really anything more I could do until I got home.

So on my drive back home, I started off gently, and then built up my speed. When turning off a junction I gave it a bit more juice, and also held it at 60, coming up quite a steep hill, but no sign of the light again thankfully.

I plugged it into VCDS as soon as I got home, and it told me that I had a misfire on cylinder one. Here is the piece of code:

Code: 
Address 01: Engine (CDL)       Labels: 06F-907-115-CDL.clb
   Part No SW: 8P0 907 115 AB    HW: 8P0 907 115 B
   Component: 2.0l R4/4V TFSI     0010  
   Revision: 5BH16---    Serial number: 
   Coding: 0103000C180F0160
   Shop #: WSC 12345 616 12345
   VCID: 


2 Faults Found:
000768 - Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected 
               P0300 - 001 -  - Intermittent
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 00100001
                    Fault Priority: 2
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Reset counter: 255
                    Mileage: 59474 km
                    Time Indication: 0
                    Date: 2014.04.19
                    Time: 20:04:49


             Freeze Frame:
                    RPM: 4346 /min
                    Load: 89.4 %
                    Speed: 
                    Temperature: 87.0°C
                    Temperature: 13.0°C
                    Absolute Pres.: 1010.0 mbar
                    Voltage: 14.351 V


000769 - Cylinder 1 
               P0301 - 001 - Misfire Detected - Intermittent
             Freeze Frame:
                    Fault Status: 00100001
                    Fault Priority: 2
                    Fault Frequency: 1
                    Reset counter: 255
                    Mileage: 59474 km
                    Time Indication: 0
                    Date: 2014.04.19
                    Time: 20:04:49


             Freeze Frame:
                    RPM: 4346 /min
                    Load: 89.4 %
                    Speed: 
                    Temperature: 87.0°C
                    Temperature: 13.0°C
                    Absolute Pres.: 1010.0 mbar
                    Voltage: 14.351 V


Readiness: 0000 0000

Im thinking it could possibly be:

- Plugs (I upgraded the OEM plugs to the ones in my sig)
- Coil Packs (I heard there was a recall on these for my car?)
- Fueling. I am running Revo Stage 1, and have heard of other s3 owners running Stage 1 and having to upgrade their fuel pump. Maybe my car isnt getting enough fuel at that point, causing the misfire? Im running the Revo CAI as well if that is any bearing on it.

Thanks in advance to everyone for posting up any thoughts or advice.

Cheers.
 
Sounds to me either a plug or a coil.
I'd change the coil and spark plug over to a different cylinder and see if it happens again.
Say plug to number 2 and coil to number 3.
Or if your keeping the car plugs and coils should solve the issue.
There's no fuel pressure code so stick to what codes you have and try above.
 
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Yeah for me plugs/coils atm, don't think beyond that just yet as tbh unless cam follower is goosed, then doubt its fuel pressure, have you checked the follower?
 
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NHN said:
Yeah for me plugs/coils atm, don't think beyond that just yet as tbh unless cam follower is goosed, then doubt its fuel pressure, have you checked the follower?
Click to expand...

I havnt checked the follower mate no, its contained within / attached to the fuel pump isnt that right?

And I think the problem has now been partially fixed. I put all the OEM plugs back into the car, and on the next run out the problem seemed to be totally cured. Accelerated strongly up to red line.

However, on the next run out, when accellerating up quite a steep hill, there was hesitation. This time there was no light on the dash, and on return home there was no code logged with VCDS. Which brings me to my next question......at what point should a fuel filter be changed? I ask as according to my service handbook this has never been done, and there is now approaching 38k on the car. Am I correct in thinking a dirty fuel filter could cause this hesitation?

Really appreciate your help folks.
 
Didn't think the S3 had a fuel filter tbh, but happy to be proven wrong.

Yes its behind the fuel pump, you should check this tbh as the last one I did was bad & I mean seriously bad.

Check coils next.
 
Audi don't have a recommended fuel filter replacement although I done mine at 50k since Audi hadn't it the fuel was pure brown that came out of it!
Its located in front of the right hand rear wheel on the underside.
Only replace with genuine as they have some sort of regulator in them.
 
NHN said:
Didn't think the S3 had a fuel filter tbh, but happy to be proven wrong.

Yes its behind the fuel pump, you should check this tbh as the last one I did was bad & I mean seriously bad.

Check coils next.
Click to expand...

Ok going to get the car booked into my local VAG specialist ASAP and I will point out to them that I want this checked.

Marshy said:
Audi don't have a recommended fuel filter replacement although I done mine at 50k since Audi hadn't it the fuel was pure brown that came out of it!
Its located in front of the right hand rear wheel on the underside.
Only replace with genuine as they have some sort of regulator in them.
Click to expand...

Yeah that does seem a very long time! Will get the garage to look at this as well for me, and replace with OEM as required. What plugs are you running in your car Marshy?
 
I'm running ngk iridiums BKR7EIX
I also replaced my coils at the same time that was 7k ago and it's been perfect since.
I fitted the red R8 coils as I got 4 for £85 delivered and they smarten up the engine bay slightly with running an intake.
 
Yeah thats the ones I had in when it misfired. Gonna ring Audi to see if I can get new coilpacks off them.
 
People say they're uprated but i don't know.
Never had any fail as I've had these on my last 3 tfsi cars.
 
That is actually not a bad price at all for a set of 4.

By the way Marshy, are you running any kind of PCV delete/revamp kit, or are you just on the standard PCV system? And how you finding the Loba fuel pump?
 
Its a pretty good price for 4 and he's always quick in getting them to you.

As for pcv I'm running oem pcv again with no problems, I did buy the Revo pcv revamp in the group buy and only ran it 40 miles and removed it! The car didn't feel as smooth and definitely runs so much better on oem, if it fails replace it with the latest revision.

As for Loba pump excellent bit of kit, considering its not much more than an APR rebuild pump its the better deal.
I previously bought a rebuild APR for £478 and it looked like it was 10 years old!

Loba pump brand new tried and tested only way to go.
I'm looking to get a clutch next as now running all the hardware to go 2+
 
You are a very interesting guy to talk to mate! Getting lots of good info from you here haha.

"As for pcv I'm running oem pcv again with no problems, I did buy the Revo pcv revamp in the group buy and only ran it 40 miles and removed it! The car didn't feel as smooth and definitely runs so much better on oem, if it fails replace it with the latest revision."

Its VERY interesting that you should say that. Exact same situation here. In my car I noticed that there was a slight gap that had formed on the left side where the revo plate meets the plastic rocker cover. I discovered this when I went to my engine investigating the issue at the start of this thread. I saw it and thought, thats not right! So off it came! But the plastic rocker cover side has actually now slightly warped. Do not ask me how this happened as the revo plate is just a flat bit of aluminium!

See here


And I am also now going to get a new seal as you can see here it seems to be indented


So yeah gonna look for a new/second hand rocker cover now, as my original has been warped, and a new seal if the rocker cover doesnt come with one. Kinda annoyed tbh.

This probably doesnt have anything to do with my original problem though.

Yeah from doing some research I didnt fancy changing out the internals, so going to go Loba myself. Glad to hear its going well for you.

Ah good stuff, I still need my TBE, clutch, HPFP and maybe uprated DV. Id say the clutch will be a dear bit of kit, with having to pay labour etc.
 
I bought my Loba pump from Samtech and also a cobra downpipe with sportscat and mated it to standard catback.
Also running rev G dv which is only £35.
I was disappointed in the Revo pcv so sold it.
Already have a new dmf and a Sachs clutch will be £500 but no labour at least as I'll be doing it myself.
 
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Looking at your cam cover pics again I think I'd replace the gasket and fit the oem pcv.
The original pcv fits over the part that looks warped and a new gasket will take up any imperfections.
 
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Thanks for the feedback. I am actually now about to order a new gasket just as you mentioned. New genuine Audi, £20 on ebay, is that an ok price?

GENUINE AUDI PCV VALVE GASKET 06F103483E | eBay

Also, do you know the difference between the BKR8EIX plugs and the BKR7EIX? Im going to order a set of 4, along with them red coil packs you recommended. Thanks again for linking me to that site.
 
I'm sure the gasket is about £16 from Audi so if your dealers not nearby it's an ok price.
The 8's are a step colder and I wouldn't recommend them as they tend to foul up easy.
Stick with the 7's and you'll be fine.
 
Ok cheers. Their website seems to be down. Get an error message when I try to add to cart.

Edit: Strange, if you add to cart from all of the listings it works, but if you click on the item and then click on add to cart it doesnt work..
 
Well I got it done in the end. Just bit the bullet and ordered the Loba fuel pump, as well as plugs and coil packs.
 
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Make sure you adjust your Revo fuel setting to benefit mate.
You'll probably have your pump by the end of the week as they come direct from Loba
 
Ok thanks for the tip with the settings. What settings are you running with regards to fuel?
 
My fuel setting is currently on 7
Used to run 9 with standard pump.
Made mine pull much harder above 4.5k and just generally a much better drive.
Looking forward to going stage 2+ once my funds recover to buy a Sachs clutch.
 
Yeah id say you're looking forward to it dude. Im suprised the setting actually went down, I would have thought it would have went up.
 
Yeah the Revo settings are strange.
For boost higher number = more boost
Timing higher number = more timing
Fuel = higher the number less fuel required so on standard pump should be set to 9 the lower the setting is more fuel.

I queried this so rang Revo themselves who confirmed it and you can tell the difference.
Good thing with Loba you get a new cam follower as well.
 
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I'm running Stg2 with OEM pump and it's not missed a beat in 2 years.

I found when I had similar issues the following things were worth checking:

1) is cam follower ok (not marked, no significant smell of petrol in oil indicating seal wear)

2) coil packs / plugs (I will no longer run iridium plugs, they're crap over time for smooth running. I've spoken directly with NGK about it and sent them plugs for analysis but no one pays any attention as buying Iridium is what's on race cars so that must be best for a road car.....not!)

3) reduce plug gap slightly on higher boost map

4) adjust Revo settings

If you're not running an aftermarket DP then this helps smooth running no end. The OEM one is restrictive and doesn't help excessive heat dissipation. Likewise make sure you've got a good supply of direct cold air coming into your filter if it's aftermarket.
 
Thanks Warren. What plugs do you run yourself now? And how do you go about reducing plug gap? - just curious.
 
audi upgrades
All you need to know about plugs, and mostly from NGK's mouth (so not my personal opinion): http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/135361-spark-plug-recommendations-s3-8p-2-0t-oem-modified.html

Iridium plugs are used in motorsport (e.g. constant high RPM / doesn't matter if car runs like a pig just needs to run) as they are harder and can withstand the extreme conditions imposed upon them by that kind of short sharp burst running. They don't have the copper core in the OEM plugs which helps conductivity and keeps the plugs running more consistently. Likewise the colder the plug the more it fouls, so a colder plug won't magically resolve issues with heat soak or hot running (e.g. ignition pull), and I've spoken with people who tune bike engines who say as long as your engine remap is well set up there is no need to go a step colder on plugs.

There are a few urban myths in the world of car modification that seem impossible to stamp out:

1) That coilovers are better for day to day road use than high quality springs / dampers
2) That iridium plugs make your car run better with basic modifications
3) That K&N filters are the route of all evil and WILL kill your MAF due to oil contamination
 
Last edited:
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Are you just running the OEM plugs in your own s3 then? And are you running any kind of PCV delete system? Cheers.
 
Last edited:
Std plugs, no PCV delete system. I was running a catch can on my old car but I didn't really find it ran any better. It might have caught the odd bit of cack, but most of the real bad carbonation happens ahead of the valves. My old S3 had everything on it and it was a pain in the ****, this one had the minimum (CAI / TBE / Revo S2) and it was a joy to own, didn't miss a beat. I found on this car simple was best.
 
Excellent thats what I wanted to hear. As you can see above my experience with the Revo PCV delete system was not a great one. Ordered a new PCV seal (the bright orange one) yesterday and just going to put that in along with the standard PCV setup, and hope there are no leaks, with the slight bend shown above.

The Loba fuel pump I ordered comes with a new cam follower, so I really hope I can cure this hesitation at full throttle, high load.
 
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Well guys quick update. New coil packs, plugs and Loba fuel pump have all now been installed, as has a new fuel filter. Initial signs show the problem is now fixed, and the car is running great. Hopefully it stays like this!
 
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Think that'll be the end of that problem mate.
The Loba is a quality pump. Did you get some mints with yours?
 
Marshy said:
Think that'll be the end of that problem mate.
The Loba is a quality pump. Did you get some mints with yours?
Click to expand...

Hope so! Haha yes I did! Took me a while to figure out what it was! Kris emailed me to check my stuff had arrived safely, which I thought was a nice touch. Top bloke.

Have you upgraded your DV Marshy? Been looking at that DV+ one.
 
Told you Kris would look after you!
I'm running a rev G dv and find it works well.
 
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I removed my Revo PCV valve as I was getting a tool rich at idle code as it was giving my engine a vacuum leak. Stock PCV back on and all is well and no more oil stinking of fuel!

I too went with the Loba pump as I thought the seal had gone but in the end is was the Revo PCV.
 
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Thanks for that comment xfi it's nice to hear that it's not just me having issues with it! Funny with all the mods I have done so far my mechanic told me he never really liked the pic revamp. All back to stock now with new gasket and all the better for it :)
 
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