Power Loss On S3

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dans3

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I have a power loss, especially at higher speed on my S3! The turbo will kick in, hold back and then kick in again, like a really bad flat spot! It is under warranty, Audi plugged it in to reveal there was a reported 'Air Fault', but don't know why. They reset the memory and the car was running okay for a couple of days, but did seem a bit slower! Strange thing is; when I have the problem, the Turbo seems a lot stronger then hits that flat spot!

Let me know if you've had the same problem. Mine is a standard 210bhp 2000 (w).

Thanks!
Dan
 
Dan, I had the exact same problem on my S3.

Never really got to the bottom of it to be honest, but I always put it down the the DV. Scott at AmD agreed it sounded like a DV problem.

I changed from OEM DV, to Forge DV006, then to Forge CL007P, and there was still the momentary hesitation (around 3800rpm) on full acceleration. Anyway, I bought a new OEM DV from VAGparts, and I've not had the hesitation since. The reason I thought it was the DV, is because they can sometimes stick (i.e. diaphragm/piston in side it)

Do a search for S3 Hesitation, if you want to read a summary of my experiences.

Regards

AL
 
hmmm... so should I tell my Audi dealer or let them figure it out themselves?? If I don't tell them, It just means I have to put up with the 1.4 diesel A2 for longer; Not sure if I could put up with that!!

Thanks for the info!
 
Dan,

I'd let them have a go at sorting it, and not tell them what you know. Afterall, it could be something else, not the DV.

Regards

AL
 
There is no problem in hinting to the dealer where the problem could be..........
 
I had a hesitation on my Impreza Turbo, shortly before one of the pistons blew up. This was caused by excessive knocking IIRC. It was a known issue with Imprezas of that age, and using higher octane fuel would have helped as I understand it. Do you use Super Unleaded/Optimax or do you use 95 RON stuff?

As long as you've reported it and the car's under warranty I wouldn't sweat it too much.

Dan
 
Always using Super Unleaded. Problem only seems to happen at higher speeds in 3rd gear upwards. Almost like its struggling to breath!!
 
sounds like the prob I had - faulty throttle body, its pretty common get them to check it, if not maybe ur MAF or even worse a coilpack
 
Not bothered how bad it is as it's only Audi who have to pay! Just want it fixed!!

Only bought the car 2 weeks ago!
 
could be MAF, DV or overboost - could be explained by the turbo working *too* well, ECU cuts it to prevent engine damage, hence the hesitation. Not sure though.
I would expect a engine management code to be logged for overboost, DV or MAF can only be found by replacing said part one at a time....
 
Overboost is good - just have to wait for my car to remap itself!
 
The only thing Overboost is good for is killing off all Escort RS Turbo's and Renault 5 GT Turbos /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
I get this often. It is really annoying and I have put it down to a slightly dodgy DV e.g. I 5th, 60 mph, cruising nicely, nail it.... nothing for quite a few seconds and then it takes off. Another example, is when I overtake in 4th or 5th, the turbo takes an excessive time to kick in.. like 2-3 secs! Final example is when accelerating in 4/5/6 hard, full boost, I then back off and accelerate again, the turbo hesitates badly /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Been too lazy to take it in as most of the time it is pukka.
 
Dan or Moff,

If you get your car checked at the dealer, will you post back here with the outcome. I for one would be really interested to know what the problem is.

As I said, its gone away on my car now.

AL
 
Moff,

Sounds a slightly different problem. Mine only hesitates after the turbo kicks in; foot down...turbo kicks in (big rush) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif...hesitation (c'mon you *#*@) /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burningmad.gif...turbo kicks in /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif....and sometimes hesitation again /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burningmad.gif!! There's not really any hesitation when you initially put your foot down!

I've dropped it in to Robinsons Audi in Norwich this morning, my local dealer, see what they come up with, and I shall let you all know!

Thanks for all your suggestions!

Dan
 
Don't want to alarm you, but that does sound like the problem my Impreza had. There is some kind of anti-knocking sensor in the engine, and the hesitation on mine was caused by this retarding the engine due to excessive knocking. But the sensor wasn't enough to stop the problem becoming terminal.

Dan
 
Dbm was/is your car an old shape WRX/Sti ?
If this is the case the ecu map is designed for 100RON fuel, sometimes even super unleaded ( 97 RON ) isn't enough to prevent detonation, if you were running on normal unleaded I'm not suprised the engine grenaded itself, as I say even on super *alot* of WRX/Sti models have det problems, especially the phase 2 engine.
If its a UK car you've got serious problems there and I'd be asking Subaru to contribute to the failure.

I very much doubt if the audi concerned is detonating, more likely is the DV scenario. The engine management would of picked up a sensor fault long before now.
 
Hi,
my car was a Turbo 2000, so a totally UK sourced and specified machine. The owner's manual specified 95 RON, even though people in the know (ie, not me) knew to use 97+. Apparently once this problem was recognised by Subaru UK they started putting those fuel-addative blocks (can't remember their proper name) in the tanks as standard to help resolve the issue.

My engine was replaced under warranty - the car had been serviced the morning of the day the engone blew up, and the problem had been reported to the engineers. I had no complaints with the response of Subaru to the problem but I lost all confidence in the car after that. And if you can't give it 100pc some of the time in such a car, what's the point in having one?

Dan
 
Got my car back from Audi last night; no faults showing on the computer, test drive revealed nothing wrong (and they didn't clean the car this time!!).

Problem is it's an eratic fault, so how do you cure it? Replace something, cars running great and problem could pop -up 2 days later!

Next step is a remap and DV, get the real experts to take a look and see what they think.

Had a 1990 Golf G60 with 95k on the clock before the Audi, not one problem. Get a car thats only 2 years old and less than half the mileage and look what happens!

I'll keep posting on any updates. Anyone recommend somewhere to go to get a re-chip? AMD want £850 + VAT, seems a bit expensive to me.

Cheers,
Dan
 
Dbm: The fuel blocks you talk of are called broquet. You are right about having confidence in the car, one of the reasons why I didn't buy an Sti, too many big ends spun and failed gearboxes for my liking.

DanS3: Don't worry about your problem, its fairly minor ( compared to say a coil pack /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif ). Getting a specialist to have a look wouldn't be a bad idea, if they find anything send Audi the bill.
Far as re-chip or remapping goes have a read of the "To Chip" post in the Technical Forum, it may explain a few things, especially torwards the end !
 
My dealer is great, i just mention power loss to him and he replaces my air flow meter straight away with out any hesitation !!
 
Then I think I'll use your dealer next time!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
This is really interesting - my A3's going into the dealer next week, for exactly this issue (well, that and a rather expensive-sounding grinding/squealing noise from the O/S front brake) - when booting it hard, at about 3.5K or 4K rpm, I get a hesitation, almost like a momentary lift, and then normal service resumes. I told the dealer about it over the phone today, and he said "we'll change the MAF straight away - that should do it"... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked2.gif Also mentioned checking the coil packs and lambda sensor, but semeed to think the MAF was the most likely culprit. Seems that awareness is spreading in the Audi Dealer community! Either that, or I caught the aftersales manager on a good day. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Yeah, I'm thinking of mentioning that at my first service in a few weeks. Why not have them if they're being handed out. Why not have two?
 
Hmmmm interesting.

I have the same; changed the DV which helped overall, but still a noticeable hesitation especially at higher speed. Had a conversation with some of the guys at AmD in the workshop and they have suggested the Air Mass Meter (I think they said - is that the right term?). They tested my current DV and it is fine.

Anybody know what Amersham Audi is like 'cos they are my local now !!!!!!!
 
Mmm... Amersham is a nice place. The hilly road to Chesham and Berkhamsted good for some crazy aerial action as I remember.

Dunno about the Audi dealer tho'. Some nice pubs in Great Missenden and in Bovingdon the other way.
 
My car decided to exhibit this problem during a 3rd gear overtake on the Saturday morning of the Buxton Meet weekend.

Car came on boost, I was going past the car, boost stopped, oncoming car is getting closer, getting closer [oh ****], boost comes back, get past the car. Just. Needless to say, it was a brown trouser moment for me and the girlfriend.

Yet, had no hesitation at all during the full-on Buxton drive on the Sunday.

Its a very dangerous problem IMO.

But, assuming your dealer is correct, i.e. its the Air Mass Meter (aka MAF sensor) causing the problem, fitting a new one may only solve the problem short-term.

AL
 
Unfortunately, contrary to my last post, it didn't cure the problem!

Took it to Jabbasport on Tuesday who eventually DID fix it. Problem was N75 valve (I think is the boost valve??).

Still got other problems with the ****** thing though!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
AL B said:
Is this valve (N75) also termed the Boost Control Soleniod?


[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, you may also hearit being called an amal valve.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Crafty said:
amal valve.

[/ QUOTE ]

Is that a typo? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif anal valve /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif

AL
 
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