Help with possible detonation after apr stage 1 version 2

[Paoldeezy]

Hello,

Quick question with the audi community. I have a 2011 a4 mostly stock besides intake, intercooler and apr stage 1. Got the car reflashed 3 weeks ago and had no issues. Went and got reflashed again when the version 2 of the stage 1 came out. A day later under load and low rpm, I heard a metal sound coming from the motor. Later to be determined to be detonation when full boost creeps in. I contacted my local dealer for apr and he told me I had carbon build up. Since then I changed to colder plugs to hopefully alleviate the issue. But it still happens. Maybe occurs 1 out of 10 times when I bring the Rpms to those conditions. Has this happened to anyone else with the version 2 of stage 1 apr? I find it hard to believe I'd experience from the case of carbon build up literally less than 24 hours of having stage 1 version 2. My car has 55k miles and changed the oil before regular recommended time frame. Any help would be appreciated! I called apr as well but they have not heard of this issue. Could the new tune have too advanced timing? Please help!

[B44]

OK there could be a variety of things but first do you drive your car hard? Meaning do you ever take the rpms to 6k per shift when driving in sport or manual mode? If not then time to start driving the shit out of car and also 55k is not a bad stage of carbon build up just get it checked by a audi dedicated local shop or if you have skills and patience there is a dyi on carbon cleaning. Some of the guys got the update on here with no issues.

[Paoldeezy]

B44 - thank you! I do somewhat drive my car spirited :) it just seems weird that the problem arose right after the version 2 map was flashed. No check engine lights as well. I did some research and I do see these cars have build up issues. Is there anyway here in the west coast that my tuner mistakenly installed 93 octane map? Or is it pretty much fail safe.

[Schoff]

OK there could be a variety of things but first do you drive your car hard? Meaning do you ever take the rpms to 6k per shift when driving in sport or manual mode? If not then time to start driving the shit out of car and also 55k is not a bad stage of carbon build up just get it checked by a audi dedicated local shop or if you have skills and patience there is a dyi on carbon cleaning. Some of the guys got the update on here with no issues.

I apologize for the off-topic question.

Does driving the car hard help in some way? If so, can you please explain?

Thanks,

EDIT: After some searching I came across this: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...-up-Megathread

3/4 down the first list - 'Theory on combating carbon buildup:'

[Jerry1847]

I don't believe carbon buildup would cause a metal noise like your describing. Carbon buildup would just impact airflow,not cause a noise.

You may be correct with the 93 map. I would check that...

[blbroo]

Are your plugs gapped at?

[blbroo]

Are your plugs gapped at?

Sorry, what are your plugs gapped at?

[Paoldeezy]

I don't believe carbon buildup would cause a metal noise like your describing. Carbon buildup would just impact airflow,not cause a noise.

You may be correct with the 93 map. I would check that...

When I researched detonation problems online, carbon build up was one of the causes. But I hope it's not on 93 map. I wish apr can chime in!!

[Paoldeezy]

Sorry, what are your plugs gapped at?

I was told by my tuner to gap the plugs at .026 hundredths. Also have denso iridium power plugs

[blbroo]

I was told by my tuner to gap the plugs at .026 hundredths. Also have denso iridium power plugs

I have heard an seen 0.028 for a tune. Maybe try regapping them out some. Mine runs really smooth there.

[Paoldeezy]

I have heard an seen 0.028 for a tune. Maybe try regapping them out some. Mine runs really smooth there.

Will do. I'll give that a shot! Thank you

[Jerry1847]

I was told by my tuner to gap the plugs at .026 hundredths. Also have denso iridium power plugs

That could be it. I have never seen Apr recommend a regap on stage 1. The K04 gap is .28.

[o1turbo30v]

The ecu will not allow detonation, It will pull boost, timing, and fuel out to protect the engine, you have something else going on.

[B44]

2 possibilites here

1. carbon buildup
2. spark plug needs to be gapped at 0.28 and i prefer ngk bkr7e the copper plugs.

how to test. rev the car if you see black smoke coming out of the exhaust on high revving you sure need carbon cleaning. if not then as suggested by 01turbo30v you need to look in other areas.

[Paoldeezy]

The ecu will not allow detonation, It will pull boost, timing, and fuel out to protect the engine, you have something else going on.

Good to know! I was really worried for a bit. Still got to track down the noise. A friend suggested I add 4 or so gallons of 100 octane to a somewhat full tank. To bump up the octane. Just did that now and I'll see what's up.

[LINDW4LL]

How can you suggest these two possibilities when all OP said is that he can hear a "metal" sound from the engine?

That makes zero sense.

2 possibilites here

1. carbon buildup
2. spark plug needs to be gapped at 0.28 and i prefer ngk bkr7e the copper plugs.

how to test. rev the car if you see black smoke coming out of the exhaust on high revving you sure need carbon cleaning.

[Paoldeezy]

Drove the car a solid 70 miles today since I added 4 gallons of 100 octane. The tapping noise has not came back. The noise was pretty loud too and no sign of it as of yet. Not sure what the 100 octane would have done to stop the noise.

[Dub_prime]

Drove the car a solid 70 miles today since I added 4 gallons of 100 octane. The tapping noise has not came back. The noise was pretty loud too and no sign of it as of yet. Not sure what the 100 octane would have done to stop the noise.

Bad gas or wrong octane.

[Paoldeezy]

Been using 91 octane shell. Starting feel like the map on my car is incorrect.

[Paoldeezy]

Thanks for all the help! This is a awesome community!

[Mussa]

I had the exact same thing just after the apr stage 1 v2.0 file. I hear occasionally a metal noise under load around 45 mph.

I hope it's not detonation but really sounds like it. Is anyone experiencing this and how did you solve it?