Just got all the oil leaks fixed, now it runs worse!

[616_S4]

Just sunk a bunch of money into my car, every oil leak fixed, new timing belt and serpentine belt, all that jazz. Now it runs worse than ever before! Bogs and flashing cel way more often and car feels slower! Car is supposed to be stage 2

[jimmer009]

The smart people on here need to know what codes are up and flashing. Also they need to know every mod or anything that is not stock. And what kind of tune??? Do you have a boost gauge?? How about a wideband. It could be a cam gear off a tooth or as simple as a map sensor unplugged

[jpurre]

Check codes with vcds cable. Flasing check engine light means misfires. Did you replace plugs? If so, they need to be gapped correctly for stage 2 (around 0.030").

[shepa401]

I just did all the same stuff on mine and when i took the first drive it was sluggish and the CEL started flashing. I plugged the ignition modules in but one of them didn't get clicked in, it only looked like it was on. Plugged it back in and everything was good.

[redline380]

This happens all the time. People fix something and think they put in a bad part or something.

99/100 times they messed up something else. Check your timing, unplugged parts of the harness, vacuum leaks, etc.

Big one here is check your timing. It could be off far enough to mess everything up, but on enough not to bend valves.

[aysix]

I bet the timing is off.

[616_S4]

Car is stage 2 giac, xs power 3 inch downpipes and exhaust, stage 2 spec clutch, plugs are gapped to .030, every time i have gotten flashing cel it ends up being random cylinder misfire. I am taking it back to the shop and taking the boss there for a ride to show him whats going on. just pisses me off because they said they did testing to make sure engine ran fine and took it for a test drive as well and said it drove great! But no I do not have a boost gauge. car definitely feels sluggish at WOT now! whatever happens Im not paying for it! This is their fault!

[616_S4]

I bet the timing is off.

What do you mean by the timing being off?

[aysix]

What do you mean by the timing being off?

If it's at WOT it's likely misfiring then.

[Cgoon009]

What do you mean by the timing being off?

He means that when the timing belt was done, it was not correctly realigned. It may be a "Belt tooth off" causing the car to run poorly, because the engine is not in perfect sync. If timing is off, the car will run poorly and may even bend valves, depending on how badly its off. Its very important to verify that timing is not off.

[hibiscusS4]

were plugs done?

[616_S4]

If it's at WOT it's likely misfiring then.

ya basically past 4k is when it happens. I had this problem before but not nearly as bad, and couldnt find it when had it with the shop, i did boost leak test it before the shop and found a leak out of the intake manifold gasket, but when i gave it to them they could not find an intake leak anywhere. but never before would i get flashing cel multiple times a day, and it just feels sluggish getting into boost and according to my butt dyno its not as fast!

[616_S4]

He means that when the timing belt was done, it was not correctly realigned. It may be a "Belt tooth off" causing the car to run poorly, because the engine is not in perfect sync. If timing is off, the car will run poorly and may even bend valves, depending on how badly its off. Its very important to verify that timing is not off.

ive only had it since 5 last night, and only drive about 5 miles each day right now. tomorrow i am going to show them.

[616_S4]

were plugs done?

at the shop? no not that was reported, I did the plugs a couple weeks ago gapped to around .030

[Cgoon009]

I would recommend you:

1. Get all the codes from the car, have your car scanned. This will help with diagnosis.
2. Check the free stuff first. Take a good look over the engine, and verify that everything was plugged in.
3. If everything seems to be reinstalled correctly, start to look for a possible cause using the engine codes.

There are lots of things that can cause a misfire. Spark plugs, ICMs, bad sensor, off timing etc. Before you throw more money at it, take a look and try and track what may have failed. Chasing a misfire can be very annoying and costly, so try and gather all the info you can about it before you go hunting.

[616_S4]

car idles fine!

[616_S4]

I would recommend you:

1. Get all the codes from the car, have your car scanned. This will help with diagnosis.
2. Check the free stuff first. Take a good look over the engine, and verify that everything was plugged in.
3. If everything seems to be reinstalled correctly, start to look for a possible cause using the engine codes.

There are lots of things that can cause a misfire. Spark plugs, ICMs, bad sensor, off timing etc. Before you throw more money at it, take a look and try and track what may have failed. Chasing a misfire can be very annoying and costly, so try and gather all the info you can about it before you go hunting.

I will get it all scanned tomorrow when I bring it to the shop to show whats wrong. Obviously it's something they did because it was not like this before. Luckily they have a 12 month warranty on all their work! taking it back tomorrow morning bright and early to get this done! I paid them to do a full inspection and make sure everything was working right along with the repairs!

[616_S4]

I mean a boost leak could cause the random cylinder misfire as well correct?

[goalieman24]

I would recommend you:

1. Get all the codes from the car, have your car scanned. This will help with diagnosis.
2. Check the free stuff first. Take a good look over the engine, and verify that everything was plugged in.
3. If everything seems to be reinstalled correctly, start to look for a possible cause using the engine codes.

4. Find a new "shop" if you're not going to DIY.

Seems like you've made a fair amount of posts with the cars issues and this "shop" doesn't seem to be able to do anything about them. People pay shops to do the work so they don't have to. You shouldn't have to be troubleshooting and asking the forums for help if a "shop" is doing the work...

[616_S4]

4. Find a new "shop" if you're not going to DIY.

Seems like you've made a fair amount of posts with the cars issues and this "shop" doesn't seem to be able to do anything about them. People pay shops to do the work so they don't have to. You shouldn't have to be troubleshooting and asking the forums for help if a "shop" is doing the work...

Oh I am! I already found a new shop, but now that after these fixes and new problems if I can get them to back up their work and fix the problem free of charge, then im gonna have them do it! My family has had good success with this shop in the past and normally always does top notch work! I am not paying any more money to them to fix their own screw up! I am going to make them fix it then anything in the future will be at a different shop!

[JVD]

I hate how these turn into 50 response threads and dude hasn't even scanned the car.

[616_S4]

I hate how these turn into 50 response threads and dude hasn't even scanned the car.

Sorry I'm a business student in college so don't exactly have time to go scan it right now! And you didn't have to post on it, nobody forced you to!

[JVD]

You have time to type up this thread and respond numerous times.

Everyone is guessing at this point. Scanning it is the only way to narrow down the potential issues(s).

[616_S4]

You have time to type up this thread and respond numerous times.

Everyone is guessing at this point. Scanning it is the only way to narrow down the potential issues(s).

You do realize students have computers at all times these days? You really think I would be on here if I was able to scan it right now? I'm just trying to get ideas because of this happening after work was done on it. I don't get why people take time to troll these forums. What's the point of trolling?

[getslideways]

car definitely feels sluggish at WOT now! whatever happens Im not paying for it! This is their fault!

ya basically past 4k is when it happens. I had this problem before but not nearly as bad

Obviously it's something they did because it was not like this before.

I am not paying any more money to them to fix their own screw up!

So which is it, the problem existed before, or its their screwup.... If you dont have the ability or knowledge to work on your own car, its best not to own a modified B5S4

Also, stop putting exclamation points after every sentence. It sort of loses its meaning if you attach it to everything.

[JVD]

My idea is to scan it and then present the information here. Once that happens you'll have lots of helpful responses.

This is a permanent resource for all members. People use the forum search all of the time (as you should be doing). If their query happens to lead them here they'll have to sift through all of this useless information. That's the point I'm making.

And yes, I see the irony of me clogging up the thread with this.

[616_S4]

So which is it, the problem existed before, or its their screwup.... If you dont have the ability or knowledge to work on your own car, its best not to own a modified B5S4

Also, stop putting exclamation points after every sentence. It sort of loses its meaning if you attach it to everything.

I think owning it for a month I got a flashing cel maybe 4 times and yesterday I got it 5 times. I try to do the most I can myself on the car. I just don't have the time nor tools to do that much stuff on the engine. Just not comfortable pulling apart that much of the engine. I've wanted this car for so long! I just don't have time during school to work on it when I need to drive to school and work on weekends. Reason I put exclamation points is im just a little fed up with this problem because how can a 20 year old student find a boost leak with 13 bucks of parts from Home Depot and my shop can't find it?

[redline380]

Sorry I'm a business student in college so don't exactly have time to go scan it right now! And you didn't have to post on it, nobody forced you to!

I'm a law student in law school. I have time to scan. I have time to do lots of things. Hell, i even have time to post on AZ!

Threads with mere descriptions of a symptom should not suffice. We need hard evidence to help diagnose. Boo, speculation!

Although, I am of the opinion that a scan will be useless because I am leaning towards your timing being off.

[616_S4]

My idea is to scan it and then present the information here. Once that happens you'll have lots of helpful responses.

This is a permanent resource for all members. People use the forum search all of the time (as you should be doing). If their query happens to lead them here they'll have to sift through all of this useless information. That's the point I'm making.

And yes, I see the irony of me clogging up the thread with this.

Ya I get what your saying. Just so frustrated with the problem and I did a lot a searching before hand but wanted to hear what people thought coulda gone wrong during the install. Not many posts are about this problem after having the work done that I had done on mine. I don't have a scanner either or else I'd do it right away. Plus I have a Mac so I can't get vag com on it.

[Cgoon009]

I'm a law student in law school. I have time to scan. I have time to do lots of things. Hell, i even have time to post on AZ!

Threads with mere descriptions of a symptom should not suffice. We need hard evidence to help diagnose. Boo, speculation!

Although, I am of the opinion that a scan will be useless because I am leaning towards your timing being off.

me too

[616_S4]

Well i happen to have class all day on Wednesdays so I cant go get it scanned, and im going to show what happens to the shop owner in the morning. I was just curious as to what it could be. Plus im just curious about this stuff even tho im not doing the work I like to understand whats going on.

[redline380]

Well i happen to have class all day on Wednesdays so I cant go get it scanned...

I'm in class at this very second. Your argument is invalid

[616_S4]

I'm in class at this very second. Your argument is invalid

How? by the time i get back to my car today any shop that can scan it will be closed.

Back on topic, lets say the timing is off, would that effect idle? and whats involved in fixing the timing?

[vavJETTAw36]

They don't mean necessarily today... Just anytime between now and posting again.

If you plan on keeping this car you should at minimum have a way of scanning it. eBay cable and vcds lite will cost you 15 bucks and give you the ability to at least scan. Anything more and you'll have to pay more.


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[616_S4]

They don't mean necessarily today... Just anytime between now and posting again.

If you plan on keeping this car you should at minimum have a way of scanning it. eBay cable and vcds lite will cost you 15 bucks and give you the ability to at least scan. Anything more and you'll have to pay more.


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Well went out late tonight and got the dreaded random/multiple cylinder misfire code. Its gotta be a boost leak, trying to hold constant rpm it seems to surge back and fourth.

[vavJETTAw36]

Ok pressure test the bitch.


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[goalieman24]

Its gotta be a boost leak

Why are you convinced it's a boost leak? Especially after the shop said they didn't find a leak? There are other things that can cause misfires.

What kind of plugs are you using? How new are they? How many miles on your ICMs? Is it only random misfire codes, or do you get specific cylinder misfires?

You need a boost gauge.
You need a scanning device.

[Corradovolksb]

My vote is on too large of plug gap causing misfires under full load.

[616_S4]

well during the test ride with the shop, it happened again, he said there was a difference between requested and actual boost levels. and something with the wastegate or what not.

[vavJETTAw36]

Stop posting and do a pressure test if that's what you think it is. But if it's with the wastegate or compressor signal you won't be able to test it with a simple standard pressure test.


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