I went into Storm a couple of weeks ago for an MOT, have the press clutch to start bypass fitted, a quick look into the start up issue and to replace the fuel filter as well as it was still on the original one after 62K. I spoke to Mike on here about getting a fuel pump control module which are currently going for around £110, he was helpful and honest as ever stating that these parts are non-refundable, so as I'm skint then he wouldn't want to just take my money when my FPCM could be completely fine so get it tested first.
The MOT went fine thankfully, I just need two new tyres soon and so I will be opting for the Michelin PS4 again. My old fuel filter was clogged up with lots of sh1t apparently and needed doing, it surprises me that these are not part of the standard petrol service interval as well given how many people say that theirs are also clogged up, plus they're cheap & easy to replace. Storm said there was a fuel pressure fault stored (no EML for this, same fault has come up before) but didn't want to link it to the start up issue just yet so cleared it and said the best course of action would be to drop it off asap after the next time it does it. A good few days passed where there wasn't any issues, I knew it was way too early to tell if the fuel filter had done the trick but it was off to a good start.
Went to start her up yesterday afternoon as I was working from home and as it was sunny, decided on lunch to fit some gloss black Audi rings onto the boot where I had previously de-badged the chrome rings, but lo and behold no start up after 3/4 seconds.. I gave it a minute and tried again of which after a slow start up she was finally running fine. So called Storm and booked it in for lunch today for them to scan it etc. They were friendly and helpful as always, Andy hooked up his laptop of which he found that there was no faults whatsoever which seemed a tad strange but then I haven't ragged it since they cleared the code a couple of weeks ago. I explained everything that had been previously done and he said that judging by what he's seen so far, that it is most likely down to either the ECU (checking connections etc) or the fuel pump has gone. I also mentioned to him about the fuel pump control module and how that was the cause for someone with very similar problems in their petrol A3. I've booked in with them next Wednesday so they can investigate the ECU and FPCM as well as fit the two new tyres so will see how goes.
My gut is telling me that it is the fuel pump though. This is because my S3 has always had the problem since I got it in it's stock form nearly two years ago and VAS Motion found an intake manifold fault code when it first went in for the Revo stage 1 early last year (which I believe is the same fuel pressure fault code Storm found earlier this month). The settings were B6 F9 T4 which is really high for the fueling, so pushing what could be a faulty part way too hard, hence why I was getting an EML I never had before going stage 1. I informed VAS of the EML so they could investigate before they do the stage 2 remap of whom found the old fault again and advised that both fault codes were due to an intake manifold problem (more info here
http://www.audi-sport.net/xf/threads/conflicting-views-from-two-reputable-garages.293251/). The stage 2 settings were changed to B8 F8 T5 and the EML I was getting has not been back since, but I'm still getting the fuel pressure fault occur after a certain amount of time and as stated in the other thread linked, Storm couldn't find any problems with the intake manifold or runners etc and Alex at Storm suggested that the map could be requesting too much fuel when giving it some and the pump can't produce it. Also, I've recently found that the issue tends to be happening more when there is less fuel in the tank, the fuel light came on a couple of days ago and it's had several slow start ups since. The less fuel there is in the tank, specifically when running really low, then I know the fuel pump can become hot as it is not cooled by the fuel so if previous owners got in the habit of letting the fuel get really low, then it could've caused damage over time. The only positive I can take if it is the fuel pump and needs replacing is that I want to go stage 2+, so might as well go for the LOBA HPFP instead of buying a standard pump again and then fitting the Autoech internals later on. I already have the Spec 2+ clutch & Steel SMF but need it fitted, so could technically go stage 2+ with my poor mans exhaust for now and get the BCS Powervalve DP/TBE later on to unlock the full potential.
Quick question, I accidentally left the locking wheel nut in the box with the other bolts when selling my S3 alloys, do I need to replace it or can garages get around this no problem?
Will keep this updated.
