New B6 S4 Owner and so it begins

[johnjsb]

Well I have had the car for about 2 weeks now and loving it. So like a dumb ass on thur i try to wash the top of the motor off (carefully), there was alot of sand and dirt like the previous owner was in the desert(yes i checked carfax). So on Saturday i drive to wendy's sitting at the drive through when i felt a strange rumble. I then leave and it felt like the motor was coming unglued like the piston was coming out of the block. At this point i was thinking F@%$ this can't be happening, I limp home at about idle the whole way only about a 1/20 of a mile. Before i bought the car i did alot of research here and other places so i knew there was no way i'm taking it to the stealership which is about a 1.5 hour drive from here. So in preperation i bought air filter, carbon cabin filter, oil, oil filter, plugs(iridium), vag-com, bentley manual dvd, guided fault light, anti freeze, power stearing fluid, and extra belt. I had a coil pack on that list as well and decided I wouldn't need it, guess which part failed here let me show you the log.

Address 01: Engine Labels: Redir Fail!
Part No SW: 8E0 910 560 H HW: 8E0 907 560
Component: 4.2L V8/5V G 0010

2 Faults Found
16684 - Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0300 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded
16686 - Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs (Cyl 2 misfire)
P0302 - 001 - Please Register/Activate
Readiness: 0000 0000


So since it was my plan to change plugs anyway I did so, and swapped cyl 2 pack with cyl 5 (much

easier to get to later). here is what i got.


Address 01: Engine
Control Module Part Number: 8E0 910 560 H
Component and/or Version: 4.2L V8/5V G 0010
Software Coding: 0007771
Work Shop Code: WSC 08091
2 Faults Found

16684 - Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
P0300 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded - MIL ON
16689 - Cylinder 5: Misfire Detected
P0305 - 001 - Upper Limit Exceeded - MIL ON

Readiness: 0110 1101
Saturday,27,December,2008,17:51:53:21461


Address 09: Cent. Elect.
Control Module Part Number: 8E0 907 279 F
Component and/or Version:
Software Coding:
Work Shop Code:
1 Fault Found

02104 - Light Detection Sensor (G399)
29-10 - Short to Ground - Intermittent



Now what the hell could this be, could it cause other problems?
What does "Redir Fail!" mean?
Could my washing the top of the motor off caused this incredibly delicate coil pack to fail?
I ordered 3 coil packs from different sources in hopes i won't be without for long.
How far can you drive in limp mode before damage?
After seeing so many coil pack failures I would think that audi would pull there head out of there asses and fix these things. Looks like a good aftermarket upgrade item, how many people would buy one that mimicked everything this one does but also acts like a multiple spark discharge system.

[littleredwagen]

I would not drive on a bad coil pack, just not worth the risk of damage to other parts

[Monchichi8]

do not drive it! Wait till the coil pack arrives.

[johnjsb]

As soon as i turned the corner thats when i really felt it and since it was all down hill and no place to pull over I really didn't have a choice, except to block traffic. Will it really cause that much damage so quickly? In the future is the consensus to pull over immediately? I did swap the packs and ran it for a few minutes afterward, strangely enough at first I thought i fixed it because it was pretty smooth to 2000 rpm. But vag-com said cyl 5 misfire.

[cdn20valve]

As soon as i turned the corner thats when i really felt it and since it was all down hill and no place to pull over I really didn't have a choice, except to block traffic. Will it really cause that much damage so quickly? In the future is the consensus to pull over immediately? I did swap the packs and ran it for a few minutes afterward, strangely enough at first I thought i fixed it because it was pretty smooth to 2000 rpm. But vag-com said cyl 5 misfire.

YOU WILL KILL YOUR ENGINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bad ignition coil means that the fuel entering that cylinder is not being burned. Which means raw fuel is beinj injected in that cylinder cleaning the oil of the cylinder bore and mixing with your oil.

Your check engine light must have been flashing. That means turn off car and get it towed.

[johnjsb]

wow i'm glad i didn't take it down the road after pack swap, and believed what vag was telling me. I went online and ordered packs as soon as i confirmed it was indeed the pack. I guess it was a rookie move, hope there is no damage. Now i'm really paranoid.

[sakimano]

coil packs really do feel like the car is going to explode! fun times.

happened to my B6.

I replaced all of them when one went. Someone said if one goes, others follow shortly. Nothing much more annoying then getting trapped somewhere.

[johnjsb]

While i was in the turn and started to accelerate the first thought that came to mind was that the front axle had snapped and was flopping around between the wishbones. I was about to have a full blown panic attack seeing how the warranty runs out at the end of dec. Fun times indeed

[EYE4SPEED]

If you can't get the car in before your warranty expires, make sure he dealer notes your account that you tried to bring it in but they were too busy - you can essentially extend the warranty until they are ready for you.

Good luck.

[b spot]

YOU WILL KILL YOUR ENGINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bad ignition coil means that the fuel entering that cylinder is not being burned. Which means raw fuel is beinj injected in that cylinder cleaning the oil of the cylinder bore and mixing with your oil.

Your check engine light must have been flashing. That means turn off car and get it towed.

If you're getting enough blow by that your fuel can make it past your piston, you have much bigger problems lol.

The only risk is that you have unburnt fuel hitting your cat and frying it.

[Audi0s]

Also dont forget that if its misfiring, it may also be firing later or earlier in the combustion cycle, that will cause detonation, bad news. Just wait it out like they say. You also seem very prepared, picking up a vag as well. Thats a great tool to have, you can modify tons of things as well.

[johnjsb]

If you can't get the car in before your warranty expires, make sure he dealer notes your account that you tried to bring it in but they were too busy - you can essentially extend the warranty until they are ready for you.

Good luck.

Yea i tried that today, but they gave me the run around then told me i'd have to tow it 175miles one way then there tech will determine if its really failed. I told him i had a vag and swapped it to different cyl and its dead. I wanted to just send it to them and have them send me another but no lets make this as difficult as possible. I geuss they have lost my business for good. This is the same audi dealer i went to test drive a 3.2 TT, told them i wanted a 05 or 06(off lease or used) within 6 months about in December. I kept calling to see if they found one they just completely blew me off. I geuss i'll just have to live with this S4 oh and look its December merry xmas to me. I'm so tempted to drive this thing up there and act like I want trade up to a rs4 which they won't have on the lot then tell him just call me when they get one and i'll be down to pick it up cash, if i like the way it feels. What is wrong with these idiots there f'n sales men, when somebody gives you 6 months to find something i think thats more than adequate. By the way it took less than 2 weeks to get off ebay(dealer), yea i know its risky but thats how i roll.

rant over

[Audi0s]

Also you should have an active roadside contract as long as you have warranty no? If you do call,and say you wont drive the car since you dont want to damage it, they should tow it for free to the nearest dealer.

[cdn20valve]

If you're getting enough blow by that your fuel can make it past your piston, you have much bigger problems lol.

The only risk is that you have unburnt fuel hitting your cat and frying it.

I'm sorry but your are wrong.

All engines have blow by, this is why we have crankcase ventilation systems. Take your oil cap off next time your engine is running, put your hand over hole. What will you feel? Blow by.

When you introduce raw unburnt fuel into a cylinder it washes away the oil that normally lubricates the cylinder walls, and mixes in with the oil in the sump. Very bad for the engine.

You are right however about the cat being overheated by unburnt fuel. It will destroy your cat.

[RudeBwoi]

I have a b5 a4 and i drive around with extra coil packs all the time now. It has probably been my only issue and in my 4 years of having my car, I have replaced probably 6 or 7 coils. (but i have 4 instead of 8, hehe)

[tosh11]

Same thing happened to me just after i bought my car. Dealership cleaned the engine, coils rusted and I ended up broke down in the middle of the pa turnpike, replace all 8 and you'll be good as new.

[chaos2984]

I'm sorry but your are wrong.

All engines have blow by, this is why we have crankcase ventilation systems. Take your oil cap off next time your engine is running, put your hand over hole. What will you feel? Blow by.

When you introduce raw unburnt fuel into a cylinder it washes away the oil that normally lubricates the cylinder walls, and mixes in with the oil in the sump. Very bad for the engine.

You are right however about the cat being overheated by unburnt fuel. It will destroy your cat.

Not true to an extent. It will take along time to contaminate the oil with fuel. Its takes like atleast a few weeks and a few hundred miles. I usto work for Ford and we saw misfires like oilchanges. And people drove on them all the time like idiot's. But think about it you have roughly 9.5qts at a time in the sump and its gonna take awhile to contaminate it. Usually you only see disel's do that.

But if you take it easy your not gonna damage a thing. Dont romp on it then your asking for problems. If you ease it home or whereever you will be fine. Im sure Audi designed piston oil jet's into the block to help with lubing the cyl walls.

Misfires are nothing to fear but it needs to be taken care of quickly. A converter is not cheap.

[backinbrack]

does anyone know why it is they go so often?
ive had my 03 A4 for two months and two coils have already died on me

[Mr. Goodwood]

I had the same problem. but just a CEL flashing.

I wouldn't just change the bad ones, just get all 8 changed with the new coil packs, and be done with it. Keep the good ones as spare.