Help: Major S3 problem

[dpeilow]

Well my christmas has just been ruined by the car packing up. I'm 90% sure it's the clutch but can't be totally certain.

Was pulling out of a junction when all of a sudden the engine is reving up and I'm making very little progress. I was able to drop the revs down to 2000 but by this time the engine management light is coming on every second or so. The car doesn't sound too good but I drove on for around a mile to get to my brother's house. I didn't go above 30mph for the rest of the journey.

When I got there I started it again to move it into the garage. The car moved ok but sounded like a dog. Is this some kind of ECU limp mode causing a deliverate misfire or something worse?

Just phoned the steelers and they said if it is clutch then I am looking at £989+VAT!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif The guy also said from those symptoms then it could be an inner drive shaft, but this sounds dodgy to me.

Car is 3 years and 3 months with 30,000 miles on the clock. Gutted to say the least.


Dave

 

[elucidate]

An entry level race spec clutch is only around £500.

Do they want your first born too????

 

[madvw]

not heard of a clutch causing limp mode. most probable cause is a faulty coilpack, especially cause of the mis-fire. Some reason, coilpacks really dont like this weather by the looks of it.

 

[imported_monkeytrousers]

My local Audi dealer quoted me the same amount.

Assuming it is the clutch, you should be able to get it done for about £800 inc VAT at an independent Audi specialist.

Only thing that puzzles me is the engine management light. I wouldn't expect that to come on if it was the clutch.

I wonder if this is the famous coilpacks again? A known problem affecting all 1.8Ts from around 2000-2002. Your car should have been re-called for coilpacks. Your symptoms sound like that rather than clutch IMHO.

 

[god_thats_quick]

that sounds like you've got more than one problem to me... think the clutch going is the best explination for the engine revving with little progress, however the clutch (unless it's fallen apart etc.) shouldn't really cause the car to be rough.

I would take it to audi and ask them to figure out whats wrong, then complain like hell, it's only 3 months out of warranty and way under the millage, so unless it's something wear and tear only I would really expect Audi to help (even with all the /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/swear.gif poor stories there are on here!) also ask if there is a discounted labour rate for cars over three years old as there is at some dealerships!

good luck and let us know how you get on.

 

[simch]

Front driveshaft gone, hence the noise (proabbaly a drive cv joint). Engine maangement may well "flash" as no drive would come from the front so it would all go to the rear.

Are you sure it was the engine management flashing and not TC?

If the clutch went, you'd have no drive at all. If a front joint goes, you would get rwd and a real nasty clatter and cluncking form the front drive joint!

MAybe could be a front diff too, (the diff pins can go). Not sure if this would affect RWD though or not...?

Diff pins are not too bad to do, but it depends on the damage that may be caused.

Good luck sorting it. Should not have goine at that miles unless you have been very hard on it.

 

[dpeilow]

OK guys thanks for the advice. I had to leave the car with my brother and then disappear to Holland for new years, but I called the RAC thinking that they would tow it to the local garage to look at the clutch, but guess what - it was a coil pack!

RAC man reconned that when one fails the ECU will rev the engine immediately to compensate for sudden loss of power and this would have caused the clutch slippage. I haven't got back yet but both he and my brother say it seems ok now.

So at least that was ~£25 and not a grand /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif . However, my question is that as these seem to be a very known issue, why was this not dealt with at servicing and can I get a dealer (probably not the one where it was serviced) to change all of them, refund the cost of the part from the RAC and compensate me for the loss of RAC no-claims bonus which should not have been used had they done their job properly? Should probably say the car is an import.

Dave

 

[imported_monkeytrousers]

You may have a case but as the car was imported you haven't benefited from the recall by Audi UK.

For the sake of £25 might not be worth the hassle?

 

[dickys3]

I would be inclined to just thank your lucky stars it was only this and not something that cost a whole lot more...

 

[imported_monkeytrousers]

[ QUOTE ]
I would be inclined to just thank your lucky stars it was only this and not something that cost a whole lot more...

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree - mine is having an uprated clutch fitted today. £800 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[god_thats_quick]

[ QUOTE ]

Agree - mine is having an uprated clutch fitted today. £800 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds cheap from other posts I've read, what clutch you having fitted and where?

Agree with the counting your lucky stars comments, just be grateful it wasn't worse!

 

[imported_monkeytrousers]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Agree - mine is having an uprated clutch fitted today. £800 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds cheap from other posts I've read, what clutch you having fitted and where?

Agree with the counting your lucky stars comments, just be grateful it wasn't worse!

[/ QUOTE ]

I think it's an MTM clutch. It's being done at Quattro Sports in Haywards Heath. I'll post full details later as I'm hoping it will sort out this long-term problem .

 

[starski4578]

Glad u got it sorted so cheaply, mine needs a service, can anyone recommend a cheap audi specialist in the north west? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/noidea.gif

 

[madvw]

[ QUOTE ]
as the car was imported you haven't benefited from the recall by Audi UK.

[/ QUOTE ]

so imported cars are not covered by / eligible for recalls?

 

[imported_monkeytrousers]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
as the car was imported you haven't benefited from the recall by Audi UK.

[/ QUOTE ]

so imported cars are not covered by / eligible for recalls?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not saying that, just that it might not have been on the books of Audi UK and when it was serviced the dealer might not have known its history, whether it had previously been recalled or not. Of course, they should have checked but ...

 

[dpeilow]

Well it looks like the car isn't on their books for a recall still now. The chap at the dealer says that it is not in the range (I presume engine numbers) that Audi UK have listed. Would a non-UK but RHD car be in different engine number ranges? From what I have read, Audi AG put a recall out worldwide on all 1.8T cars.

Dave