Hello and... A little help please?!?

[kodycobra]

My first post on AZ, and it's a problem post... What a shame lol

Car: 00 S4
Mods: 710N's, APR ECU(single program)
Miles: 80xxx

First of all, I'd like to state that I live in a small town with no speed shops, or Audi dealerships anywhere close to me. Therefore, I don't have access to a VAG-Com.

I just purchased this car two weeks ago from an individual located about 8 1/2 hours away from me, and so far... I love it! It makes for a fun daily driver.

The car drives fine during normal operation. The problem is that when you put it to the floor, the car severly falls on it's face. Meaning... Under heavy acceleration, the car acts like it's loading up on fuel, bucks very bad, and blows just a little black smoke(fuel) Also, it's a lot worse when you punch it at like say... 2500-3k.

It doesn't act anything like a boost leak, but I haven't tested that yet either. It acts more like the fuel pressure regulator is going bad and just dumps fuel into it or something.

What I've replaced: new NGK PFR6Q's gapped @ 28

Any help/guidence that you guys came come up with, I would appreciate very much!

I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but I don't know where everything is located on this car yet, as I just got it. Also, all my past cars were N/A so I'm a newb at the turbo game.

[Ruggedboy]

Have you had a chance to check your side mount intercooler pipes? Sounds just like a problem someone with a front mount would have when they blow a pipe off. Looks like your problem comes on when you’re boosting??? I would jack up the car & check your pipes... Hope this helps....

[mholme]

Could be an EGT sensor going bad. But you really need to VAG it to find out. A VAG-COM and a pressure tester will become your two best friends. Welcome.

[exorcet]

i agree w/ mholme -- bucking/surging and running rich are signs of a bad EGT sensor.

do you have any Autozone, Kragen or Pep Boys type chain stores around? Most of them have obd-ii scanners and can pull the codes for free. once you have 'em post them here.

[SLC_S4]

I had the same symptoms when my throttle body boot tore.

[NoLeafClover]

just to pick at this but was the timing belt done on it? maybe it skipped a tooth and that will happen i had the same problem on my tsi and the timing skiped a tooth. just a possibility

[lrg8683]

I had the same symptoms when my throttle body boot tore.

check that first.

[The_Jerbel]

Find a way to get the car VAG'd, but I would suspect a faulty EGT sensor first and foremost.

[kodycobra]

WOW! You guys are fast!! I wasn't expecting that much so quick... Great forum

Ruggedboy~ My friend with a big-single Supra suggested the same thing with the IC pipes being blown off

mholme, the_Jerbel~ Seems like the EGT's are a big item of interest with S4's, so I will most definately give that a try. Is there anyway to test them with say... a multi-meter?

SLC S4, lrg8683~ I will also inspect the TBB for cracks and tears.

NoLeafClover~ The timing belt replacement was just done by an Audi dealership about 2k miles ago, along with all the other tensioners, pulleys etc. So hopefully, their technician is on the money with timing. It doesn't really feel like a timing issue anyway.

With all that said... I've had a pretty busy work schedule lately at the Nuke Plant, so I can honestly say I haven't had much time to mess with the car yet.

I did however change the plugs yesterday because of a P0300(random multiple misfire) code that I recieved a few days ago.

With this P0300 code, I understand that it could be a number of things, so I went the easy route of simply changing the plugs.

I can't get the CEL to come back on for the life of me, but the car still has the problem. One thing I did notice was that after I shut off the car, it has that rotten egg smell like a clogged up catalytic converter. I personally haven't experienced a clogged/plugged cat, but surely that couldn't be the cause of my problem.

I'll report back to you guys when I get some time with the car.

Thanks again!!

[mholme]

Get a hold of a VAG-COM. That's the only way to test the EGT sensors. You might just want to buy one from www.ross-tech.com. Check that site out and also look for a vendor in your area. In the meantime: http://www.vagcomlocator.com. Hopefully you can find someone to scan your car and get to the bottom of things. Another site: www.awetuning.com. Search for info on building/buying a pressure tester there. Good luck.

[Rajan147]

I popped an IC hose on the highway going 80, I had the similar symptoms that you had, but the CEL, and ABS lights came on. its an easy check when you get under the car and remove the belly pan. If you vag the car you should get an MAF reading "too high"

Otherwise it does sound like an EGT.

[kodycobra]

Uhh... Guys?!? I think I found some of the culprit!!



And Just to share with you guys... My babies together!









Could these tears be all the culprit of my problem, or not enough?? Also, I checked all the IC piping, and everything appeared to be intact.

Thanks once again!!

Also, which TBB should I buy tonight?? Samco?

[AudiTechS4]

i kinda like the white suede in a nogaro

[mholme]

The infamous TBB tear..You're lucky if that fixes your issue. 60-75 bucks for a silicon TBB vs a 280 dollar(maybe 560+ if you need two) EGT sensor. Still get it VAG'd and build a pressure tester.

[kodycobra]

AudiTechS4~ Thank you for the compliment

mholme~ I will definately still get the car VAG'd, once I get my Samco(I think that's what I'm going with) TBB.

Everyone who reads this will laugh for sure but I'm going to say it anyway...
I wrapped some serious Nuclear grade Duct tape around the TBB, and fired it up... Ran like a champ. I then procedded to give it a little in second gear... Boom!!! LMAO There went the tape. Just thought I'd share that story. My Fiance thought I blew up the engine lol

[SLC_S4]

I am 99.9% certain that replacing your tbb will take care of all your problems. Like I said, I had the exact same symptoms and that's all it was. Definitely look into a samco or kevlar wrapped tbb, or the APR bi-pipe (some people will say that's overkill and maybe less efficient than some of the other options, but I haven't had any problems or complaints with mine)

[gointoscott]

Yep, TBB is a common problem.

I would def not drive it hard with leaks like that, its not good for your turbo's, you probably knew that already.

I agree too about getting it vag'd. Buy one off ebay that is cheap, thats what I did, was under 20 bucks. works great. Also if you need the older vag-com software I can help you with that. its real easy to install and with our car's a must to have.


One other must is a boost gauge. (Maybe you have it already) but for my S4, I noticed it was going into limp mode (only boosting to 6 psi) where it normally boosts to 15 psi (thats what I have it set to with chip and mbc) if I woudlnt of had the guage I woudlnt of been able to tell as easy, but did a vag and seen a egt was bad, got that replaced and car runs great again.

thing with bad egt is I didnt throw a CEL at all for it, and if yo uleave it go it will run rich and can burn out the other egt, plus o2's and plug the cats so it can cause a lot more damage if left unfixed.

So maybe the hose was the total problem, but i'd def get it checked for codes.

[DEB5S4]

My best friend lives out in Jefferson City, kinda funny

[kodycobra]

SLCS4~ I ordered the Samco TBB, so hopefully I made the right choice. They seem to be made very well.

DEBS$~~ Who is your friend in JC, MO????

Yep, TBB is a common problem.

I would def not drive it hard with leaks like that, its not good for your turbo's, you probably knew that already.

I agree too about getting it vag'd. Buy one off ebay that is cheap, thats what I did, was under 20 bucks. works great. Also if you need the older vag-com software I can help you with that. its real easy to install and with our car's a must to have.


One other must is a boost gauge. (Maybe you have it already) but for my S4, I noticed it was going into limp mode (only boosting to 6 psi) where it normally boosts to 15 psi (thats what I have it set to with chip and mbc) if I woudlnt of had the guage I woudlnt of been able to tell as easy, but did a vag and seen a egt was bad, got that replaced and car runs great again.

thing with bad egt is I didnt throw a CEL at all for it, and if yo uleave it go it will run rich and can burn out the other egt, plus o2's and plug the cats so it can cause a lot more damage if left unfixed.

So maybe the hose was the total problem, but i'd def get it checked for codes.

I'm guessing just from looks... those ebay VAG cables are all the same? I noticed some of them had links for free tuning software

I robbed my boost gauge from broke down 300zx for the time being... Soon, I will be getting a good one that matches the factory gauges. Anyone make a nice steering column mount?

As soon as the TBB gets here, and put on... I will be VAG'ing the car for sure, to see what I can come up with.

Thank you all so much for your help so far!!

[mholme]

I'm guessing just from looks... those ebay VAG cables are all the same? I noticed some of them had links for free tuning software

I don't know what free software they come with, but you can use most of them without issue with ross-tech software(the oldest version 311.2). You won't be able to do anything but clear codes and minor logging with the ebay stuff unless you buy an activation code for 99 dollars from ross-tech. It's only good for that computer though. The genuine cable is good for any laptop, just need to download the software and it activates itself.

[kodycobra]

UPDATE! The car is fixed now. I installed a Samco TBB, and it solved my problem. I was so anxious to get it, that I shipped it 2nd day air from AWE lol

A big thanks to all involved with helping me, whether what you said was the problem or not... It's the kind thoughts that count with me. You guys pointed me in the right direction.


Thanks again!!

[JD797]

good luck man, on the S I just got the previous owner had the TBB blow on him and not too long after the turbos went, though it was still under warranty so I ended up getting a car with less than 10k miles on the turbos :D

[02audia41.8]

www.podi.ca there check those out kody im gonna get one of those when i get enough money

[JackalS4]

I wrapped some serious Nuclear grade Duct tape around the TBB, and fired it up... Ran like a champ. I then procedded to give it a little in second gear... Boom!!! LMAO There went the tape. Just thought I'd share that story. My Fiance thought I blew up the engine lol

Hilarious story! I love the fact that you tried duct tape lol...it's always tempting while you're waiting for a part haha!

Glad you got everything sorted out!