APR 93 Stage I trial... my experience

[sdy101]

Well I got the APR trial flash yesterday and it didn't start off very well. The tech test drove my car after loading the trial software and asked if I had problems with engine misfires and the car running rough. I said yes, I have taken it to Audi for hesitation and bucking when the engine is COLD (Audi registered misfires and fault codes and replaced the PCV breather and IFM), but I still have the cold engine problem. However, the engine has always ran fine when it is warmed up. The tech said it was missing like crazy during his test drive after the flash and it was making a weird sound, but said I should still try it out. So I drove off and even though I immediately noticed the incredible increase in hp/torque, the engine made a loud "rattling" noise and missed/bucked like crazy. I drove it for about 10 minutes and on the highway I punched it in 6th gear and got zero power output for about 5 seconds or so (fuel cut?). I got off the highway, pulled into a parking lot, shut the car off, and called them back and asked to be flashed back to stock. They said maybe check the cam follower and HPFP. So I started it back up after sitting there about 15 minutes and..... all seemed fine. When I pushed it, not loud "rattle" and no missing/hesitation/bucking, just extreme POWER!! Like someone dropped a real engine in my A4, I am totally impressed with APR Stage I and can't stay off the gas! When my warranty runs out (which is soon), I will be getting Stage I!

So my real question: any ideas what happened??? Should I be concerned with how things started off??? It was like my cold engine problems, just amplified by x100 with the trial flash. I have 33k miles. Would love to hear some comments/suggestions/ideas. Thanks guys!

[jimrobbington]

Sounds like a simple case of a bad coilpack. I would check those first.

[sdy101]

Sounds like a simple case of a bad coilpack. I would check those first.

Thanks for the quick replay. I just had all four coil packs replaced under warranty and rechecked when I took the car in for the cold engine issue. BTW, I did not change the spark plug gap for the trial flash, not sure if I need to, and everything else on car is completely stock. Still unsure...

[P0234]

When was the last time the plugs were changed?

[sdy101]

When was the last time the plugs were changed?

I haven't changed the plugs yet. I pulled the plugs and checked them after I purchased the car a few months ago, and nothing looked out of the ordinary and the car seemed to run fine (except for the aforementioned cold engine issue). It's probably time to change them though, and I'll do that soon. I plan on replacing the air filter this week too with a drop-in K&N (even though the air filter also looked pretty clean when I checked it a few months back). I also cleaned the air inlet "slush" screen at that time, which was pretty dirty.

I appreciate the comments, keeping 'em coming, and I will do some of the standard maintenance items soon (plugs, filter). I should probably check the cam follower too to be safe...

[Sprode]

Try gapping plugs to .028". Least time investment and a gapper costs 99c.

[sinned]

definitely get the cam follower, cam, hpfp assemblies checked out...

[JRMSLINEA4]

I would not spend the money on the reflash until you get the car running 100% first.

[Tusin]

Yeah man. I read two fails in your post.

You failed due to trying to mod a car that is having problems. They failed when they said "try it out anyways". If I was the one running the shop, I would have flashed you back as soon as you said you had issues prior.

Misfires when cold, does that mean @ idle or driving? If it is @ idle it is probably not the HPFP. Good to learn how to anyways, it is very easy. After you do it once you will think "really that's it?".

Let's assume the HPFP/Cam follower is fine, I ALWAYS like to start easy/cheap and work my way up. Do you have a CEL? If not, you probably still have some codes stored, you should get your car scanned and do some research on the codes. Also, change your plugs. Takes about 10 minutes. Gap them to .028.

[sdy101]

Yeah man. I read two fails in your post.

You failed due to trying to mod a car that is having problems. They failed when they said "try it out anyways". If I was the one running the shop, I would have flashed you back as soon as you said you had issues prior.

Misfires when cold, does that mean @ idle or driving? If it is @ idle it is probably not the HPFP. Good to learn how to anyways, it is very easy. After you do it once you will think "really that's it?".

Let's assume the HPFP/Cam follower is fine, I ALWAYS like to start easy/cheap and work my way up. Do you have a CEL? If not, you probably still have some codes stored, you should get your car scanned and do some research on the codes. Also, change your plugs. Takes about 10 minutes. Gap them to .028.

I've been relying on the dealer to solve my cold engine problem ** 3 attempts so far, no success. I agree that I knew I had a problem with cold engine stalls/hesitation, but everything runs fine after a couple minutes, and I was not expecting the mod to be any different ** my mistake. I can say, however, I have had zero problems since my initial post, just pure driving pleasure with the trial flash. I have had no CEL's, but will have the dealer check for codes.

I plan on changing the air filter and plugs soon too, and I will check the cam follower to be safe. And yes, I have a tool to gap my plugs, but I am visiting family and did not bring it with me (the APR dealer is much much closer here). My trial will be over when I return home tomorrow, but I will definitely regap when I purchase the stage I mod after my warranty runs out in August.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions!