Coilpack issue on 3.0? Not consistent

[Wanted]

I just read/perused all 69 coilpack threads that came up when I searched and couldn't find anything that matched my "issue". I really did hesitate before posting/creating another coilpack thread I promise.

2003 3.0 Quattro, 6spd, 75k miles - I've had it for 13 months now and it's been great to me.

About 3 months ago as I got on the highway to go home from the office it stuttered for about 3-4 seconds, had a flashing cel for that same amount of time and then it was gone. No stuttering, cel or anything. I hardly had time to even look for an exit. No action taken.

This morning on the way to drop my daughter off at daycare it did it again for about 3 seconds - stutter and cel. Then it went away. Drop her off, drive to office and no issue. Get back in car to go to meeting and it did it again for the same amount of time - then nothing.

Does this sound like a coil pack going bad? Since it's not consistent - how can I diagnose? Will this show up on a VAG?

Any insight is much appreciated.

[PRVWing]

well, all i can say is that on my 1.8T when a coilpack is going bad it will stutter only under hard acceleration, mostly on 3rd gear after 3k rpms. and yes, cel flashes and then goes away. hope this will help you...

[IronAudi]

Id change the fuel Filter, first it could be that the car was starving for fuel for a second, Vag the car and see what the codes were, they are saved and see if it says all cylinders or one or 2. Then go from there, My 02 3.slow hit 100k this morn:( and i changed everything about 10k ago so i dont hjave the issue. VAg it and let us know then well let you what to do.

[BSIXER]

My 3.0 does the same exact thing, but it hasn't done it in about 10K miles??? I don't know if a dying coilpack would last that long.

[ThreePointOhh]

i would put my money on the dying coilpack. get it vag'd soon. I' just changed a coilpack last week and its a big difference. the car was running rough for months before it actually failed

[Wanted]

Thanks for the replys.

I couldn't get it to duplicate it yesterday after my posting and I've yet to track down a local VAG (but still trying). I'll get it logged and let you know.

ThreePoint - I would classify mine as running slightly "rough" right now too. It'd be nice if a smoother idle is as easy as a cp.

Have a great day all.

[Maverick]

3.0 doesn't fail CP as often as the 1.8T.
just prepare some spare CP or simply replace all of them with new spark plugs and then see what happens.

[IronAudi]

Best bet is to buy 6 new spark plugs and change them all out, look at the plugs and see which one looks fouled and replace that CP that should help out too.

[ThreePointOhh]

im scared to change all 6 of my plugs right now. i was considering it but i figure that pulling the coil packs will just make them fail. I'm leaving them until im ready for my major 75k service.