06 manual hesitation under hard acceleration - no CEL - no ideas where to start?

[psw1313]

So as the title says, I have 2006 a4 avant manual with 83,000 miles and started noticing pretty dramatic hesitation when I accelerate hard. There no cel and no codes via vag com. I have a chip, high flow cat, and exhaust. I do feel like there is a bit of a delay from my gas pedal too. Im not sure if im just being paranoid now that i know something is wrong. Anyway, my question is. Where should i start looking and what should i start replacing? boost seems good as i do have a boost gauge. I dont want to start spending spending by chasing the wrong problems so if anyone here experienced this before please let me know.

on a side note. about 2 months ago, i was accelerating hard and noticed a drop in power and a huge puff of white smoke come out the back of my car. it hasnt happened since though. The car was not hesitating at that time either.

thanks in advance!

[Jewing]

Start with spark plugs and coil packs? Even though there are no codes.. Perhaps it could be a fuel delivery issue

[psw1313]

should i pull the plugs and check the coil packs first? it doesnt feel like a misfire and i would assume that would throw a code considering everything always throws codes on these things... It idles perfectly etc, again, only on hard accelerations. Fuel delivery sounds more on point but not sure what to start checking or replacing. I looked things up here and it could be one of many issues. What would you check or replace first?

[Denio24]

Please one of the easiest things to do is to replace your plugs and coilpacks first. Also look for things like carbon fouling on the plugs it could also be a big reason why it is hesitating. I recommend the red top coil packs and NKG PFR7S8EG Platinum plugs even if you're tuned. I'm stage 1 also and no issues here. When I had hesitation under hard acceleration it turned out to be the coil packs going bad. It starts slow, with no CEL light flashing (which is your case), then you eventually start getting misfire codes the more you drive on it. It's all relative, coil pack may go bad right away and you will start getting codes.

Coil Packs

Spark Plugs

[psw1313]

This is great. Thanks for your help and ill let you know what happens! Thank you thank you!

[customa4]

Why don't you start by data logging? If you have VCDS it's free and might point toward your problem. Just because you're getting boost doesn't mean it's what the car is requesting. I'd log boost requested vs. actual and log the MAF as well. You're gonna spend at least $100 just doing coil packs and plugs not knowing that is the actual problem. Do you know if you're running copper plugs? When was the last time they were changed if they are copper? If they're copper I'd replace those since it's only $10. Do the plugs before replacing coil packs for sure if you're gonna play parts darts.

[aluthman]

Log if possible and check your cam follower.

[617 Bones]

Subscribing. I wonder if this issue is similar to what I've experienced? A couple of times, in 1st or 2nd at low RPM, if I get on the gas hard I will hear and feel a little "boomph" and THEN the power will come on and the rest of the gears seem fine. It's only happened a couple of times...

[psw1313]

im sorry to ask this but im a bit new to working with vcds. Im researching it and data logging isnt making too much sense to me. How would i go about data logging?

could a cam follower give these type of symptoms?

[aluthman]

im sorry to ask this but im a bit new to working with vcds. Im researching it and data logging isnt making too much sense to me. How would i go about data logging?

could a cam follower give these type of symptoms?

Yes, a bad CF can cause fuel cuts which will feel like a hesitation at times and do not always throw a CEL.

As for datalogging, this should help:

https://www.goapr.com/support/datalogging.php

[customa4]

When I log I usually do a third gear pull at full throttle. Log block 115 and 118. Turn on "turbo" mode at the top of the VCDS box. I usually just go to "Measuring Blocks" and type in the logging blocks manually but that APR write up looks like a nice alternative. To get the best numbers you want to go WOT(wide open throttle) through the entire pull. Don't let off the gas or it will mess up the readings. Find a safe place to do it so you don't have to maneuver around cars or slow down.