Audi Forum - View Single Post - Do i Have an Engine Management Light? Erratic Idling?

Teutonic_Tamer · 04-09-2007, 02:15 AM

Righty - you didn't actually state which engine it is, but, being as they seem to be the most popular, I'll guess at the 1.8 turbo 20 valve - though please correct me if I'm wrong!

OK, you state that the idling seems worse after you changed the plugs again. Try and track-back through your work - thinking about what was removed/disturbed, during the plug change. I have a hunch that there might be a small air leak somewhere, either in the crankcase breather system, or in the actual main air intake system. Check all visible rubber hoses for signs of perishing and cracking. Try to flex and "squidge" the hoses as the engine is idling, to see if it makes any difference.

How many miles has it done?

Did you change the fuel filter - whoops, you did! doh! Do you still have the old filter? If so, can you actually "breathe" through it - does it feel blocked at all?

What fuel do you use?

Engine management light - yes, all cars (petrol) from about 1990 have one (though the early ones did monitor for less parameters). Does it not describe this in the owners manual?

What kind of "diagnostic machine" was used? Realistically, only the main stealer VAS5050/5052, or VAG-COM, along with some of the very expensive independent dealer kit, such as certain Snap-on or Bosch KTS can actually read the "proper" manufacturer specific fault codes - and without these codes - you will end up replacing unnecessary components.

04-09-2007, 02:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
Teutonic_Tamer Senior Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Swampyland, UK Posts: 203 Gallery: (0)	Righty - you didn't actually state which engine it is, but, being as they seem to be the most popular, I'll guess at the 1.8 turbo 20 valve - though please correct me if I'm wrong! OK, you state that the idling seems worse after you changed the plugs again. Try and track-back through your work - thinking about what was removed/disturbed, during the plug change. I have a hunch that there might be a small air leak somewhere, either in the crankcase breather system, or in the actual main air intake system. Check all visible rubber hoses for signs of perishing and cracking. Try to flex and "squidge" the hoses as the engine is idling, to see if it makes any difference. How many miles has it done? Did you change the fuel filter - whoops, you did! doh! Do you still have the old filter? If so, can you actually "breathe" through it - does it feel blocked at all? What fuel do you use? Engine management light - yes, all cars (petrol) from about 1990 have one (though the early ones did monitor for less parameters). Does it not describe this in the owners manual? What kind of "diagnostic machine" was used? Realistically, only the main stealer VAS5050/5052, or VAG-COM, along with some of the very expensive independent dealer kit, such as certain Snap-on or Bosch KTS can actually read the "proper" manufacturer specific fault codes - and without these codes - you will end up replacing unnecessary components. __________________ Sean - Independent Motor Vehicle Technician (retired) ------ '07 Audi B7 RS4 quattro saloon 4.2 FSI V8 32v (BNS) (with ceramic brakes) - WOW '06/7 VW A5 Golf Mk5 GTI 5dr 2.0T FSI (BWA) DSG, fully loaded, colour coded, '98/9 Honda CBR600FX, the blueberry trifle '03 Audi B6 S4 quattro saloon 4.2 V8 40v (BBK) 6sp manual, fully loaded (gone, but not forgotten)