Ok, so my friend has a 1999 Audi A4 1.8t and I guess about a week and a half ago, she noticed noise and excessive vibration when the car was runningalong with a blinking CEL. She took it to a shop where they ran the codes and they told her it was cylinder 3 misfiring. I already looked around and I saw the sticky about changing the coil packs when that happens and it’s the same thing they recommended she do. So I guess my first question is how difficult it is to replace one because seeing as we're both college students and the closest Audi service center is 90 miles away, spending a ton to have a shop do something simple just isn’t an option. However, earlier today, she called me and told me there was smoke coming from under her hood. When I got there, I could see small wisps of smoke coming from under the dashboard inside the engine bay, over by the catalytic convertor. Her engine temperature was at about a quarter of the gauge.It didn’t smell like sulfur, so I don’t think it was her cat burning. It legitimately smelled like smoke from a bonfire or something of the like; not a chemical or plastic burning. I also checked for leaking fluids and couldn’t find any.I'm tempted to wonder if maybe it was something that got caught and pressed against the pipe, like a leaf or something because it’s been parked outside and seeing as the leaves are starting to fall, it’s not out of the realm of possibility. It’s at a Chevy dealership getting checked out right now and we should know more tomorrow, but I'm wondering if perhaps there’s something else causing it. Any ideas on either problem?

 

it's at a Chevy dealership?

 

Easy as cake, probably 2 out of 10. Its just like changing your spark plug. Remove the engine cover, then youll see 4 coil packs, remove the 3rd cylinder coil pack, I believe its 1-2-3-4 starting at the back of the engine (google it, dont take my word for it). Once removed from the block, remove the harness that is attached to the pack, insert harness in new coil pack, insert coil pack in block/spark plugand then your good to go! I'd change all my spark plugs at this point cause your already there. As for the smell/smoke, I couldnt really tell ya. You may of spilled some oil somewhere, or maybe you have an oil leak. Just wash out the engine bay real good (pressure washer is your best friend) and if the burning is still there then you know its not residual.