Hello Guys,
I have a 2004 a4 1.8T. I bought it with 50k miles on it. Though I really love the power and acceleration, of late I have noticed that the engine has gotten really loud and rough. The rpm keep bouncing between the 3-4 range everytime i hit the gas pedal. The initial pickup is very low/less and the engine is loud. Also, its not as smooth when at high speeds. The engine seems to be noisy at all times, its never smooth or silent.
Would a regular engine tune up solve this problem? I have changed engine oils (synthetic oil) regularly (every 3000m miles). My car now has 56k on it. I have changed oil 2 times. I have also always used the premium gas.
Could this be a timing belt isue or could it have something to do with the catalytic convertor?
I really do not want to take it to the dealer unless I know what the potential problem would be.
Any help from you experts out there will be appreciated.
Sincerely.
Vivek

hello guys,
I have been checking the forum 10 times day hoping to get an answer. After going through this forum, the one thing I think I can try for a start is to change the sparkplugs and try an engine tune up....hope this works..if anyone has better suggestions..please do inform me.
Thanks

These forums suck for maintence questions. Is your check engine light on? Coil packs go bad all the time on the 1.8 models. If your cel is on that could be the problem. If its not on it could be a number of things that could be hard to find. The CEL helps pinpoint the problem. If your cat was clogged or bad your CEL should be lit also.

Yeah... might be something easy like one bad coilpack up to something like bad cats...
Even if u dont see a Check Engine Light, still go to any AutoZone and let them scan it for free...You might see some codes...

Aflashing CEL will mean misfiring and could be most likely coil packs (do not drive it if it is flashing). You can have a random misfire and just a solid CEL which is ok to drive. Post them codes up here. Sometimes it's just plugs, which should have been done at 40K if they took it to the dealer for it's sched maintenance. Unless you bought it CPO, you're out of mileage for warranty. I suggest finding a reputable indy mechanic that handles VW's/Audi's/other german cars. Avoid the dealer and their million $ labor rates if you can.

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I know your car is fast, you were hauling ass when I passed you.

thanks guys for ur comments, however i do not have any cels on. I'm getting all 4 coilpacks changed morrow and also gettin it tuned...keepin my fingers crossed and hoping the problem disappears..the car runs perfectly otherwise...no point owning an audi if it doesn't feel right...its all about the pleasure of driving the audi,,i guess if the prolem doesnt disappear..ill go the the dealer and again ill hope its something thats covered under my extended warranty, maybe my cat..cos these are under warranty for 77k miles and I have heard these generally go bad before that.

If anyone has had this issue, please do feel to educate me...i would like to learn more about my car..

I just posted an update to my rough running saga. no check egine light and runs "rough".

did your coil packs fix the problem. I ordered some today with a "why not I have tried everything else" attitude. I am almost ready to have it towed 240 miles to a dealer. Or buy a vag-com and try to figure it out. I am sick or working on it and ready to drive.

I made a big mistake and thought my valves were damaged, do not take the head off! One of the stupider, more expensive, mis-diagnosises I have ever made.

let me know what fixes your car.

Peter S