I have a 96 v6 a4 with 111,000 miles. I already tried new spark plugs and wires, no help. This is a ping as if you put low grade gas into a high performance engine. I use the highest pump 91 octane only. Any Ideas?

 

Check your DTCs and try replacing your knock sensor. ONn modern FI cars a knock sensor changes the timing so there's no pinging. Replace the knock sensor and see what hapepns.

 

Sorry for the noobster question but what are DTC's? And how can I check the knock sensor? Do I just have to replace it and see if it fixes the knock problem?

 

DTC (diagnostic trouble codes) are engine codes. Get your car scanned at autozone and post the codes here.

 

I have the same problem-
no codes showed on scan-
however mine acts like the knock sensor is pulling the timing back-
if you give a hard shift, you hear the ping, and the car seems to die/ dead pull just no real power-

1. does any one know where the knock sensor is located- 01' A4 2.8l 30v Quattro

2. if it is the knock sensor, will that actually cause a ping (i guess by retarding the timing too much or when not needed?)

3. any way to loop or by pass knock sensor to test?

actually thought about geting w/ someone on the VAG-COM Locator list about advancing the timing +5 deg to see if it helps-

 

hey wood_e,
what rims are in your signature line on the audi?
- i think i have a set - just wondering if the offset is the same, and the center bore?

 

They're 17x8 Mille Miglia Rims and they have an offset of ET35 with a 5x112 bolt pattern. I don't have much more info on them as I got them used.

 

There could be carbon build up on valves and pistons. Try a fuel additive
like SeaFoam.