Since maybe last week I sporadically experienced a shudder/jerk when giving it throttle at low RPM, almost at the shiftpoint. This made me extremely worried that it would be the tranny on it's way to the graveyard.

I called today initially to get an appointment with a garage specialized in transmissions, transfercase and ultimately VWs, and after chatting a bit with the guy he told me that if the fluid would run dark black when he'd check it, it would KILL the tranny for good if he would change the oil. At 119,000miles, I'm pretty certain it is black as ****. He also said that if I was experiencing these slippings/shudders, that there would probably not much else to be done other than a tranny rebuild. DAMN!!

When I got home though, I ran VAG-COM and went for a ride, trying to reproduce the exact same problem. Nothing on the auto-trans controller seemed abnormal. I then tried the various groups under the Engine module and, guess what, the missfires number would go up every time I would get that shudder/jerk!

NOW that I've ruled out that $$$ tranny, how do I know if the problem is the coilpacks, the spark plugs or the wires? Do you have approximate prices for these parts??

Thanks a lot!!

Guillaume

 

Hi. Do you have a, "Check Engine Light"? If so see what codes are displayed by using an OBDII diagnostics tool. If you don't have one of these, Autozone Auto Parts will check the codes freeof charge. If you do have any, check and see what they are...If you're not sure, post the codes and someone else or I will tell you what they mean.
If you don't have a "Check Engine Light", you might start with the small stuff first like, checking the plugs, Air and Fuel Filter to see if either if obstructed. If these are all good, your problem could be a dirty throttle body or Idle Control Valve that needs cleaning. Either way, with your car having the mileage you say it does, It might just be time for a tune up. Good luck and let me know what you find out.
P.S. If you do need a replacement part, you can check online at several websites to include, "Blauparts.com", "ECS Tuning", or "AutohausAZ.com" They are great sources for many OE and Aftermarket Audi Parts with very reasonable prices compared to the dealer.

 

id start with some NGK plugs ... 20 bucks ro so and about 2 hours of easy diy labor ... then replace packs if necessary ... i doubt its wiring related

good news tho!!

 

Thanks all, I'll put some new plugs in right this morning and let you know if it works. I have the 2.8 engine so it shouldn't take too long

Guillaume

 

If you have not changed the fluid, I would suggest you do it anyways. We did ours for the 1st time at 114k miles and it was the best thing we ever did for it. We did it again maybe a year later to get all new fluid in there.

 

Changed the plugs and... bingo! No more misfire. Idle is more stable, yet still a little rougher that you would expect from a A6, but well, that's just it's age showing I believe.

The car was still running on original plugs..... the side electrodes were very well worn and the tip was not round shaped anymore it was oval! Cylinder #5 did have a wet plug though....

Jeffla: Really? I was damn scared when the guy at the tranny place told me it would ruin a tranny with that high miles on original oil as removing the varnishes and buildup inside the tranny would make it useless shortly after...

One question: Why does Audi choses multi-electrode spark plugs as OEM? Is it so that the plug doesn't stick farther than the valves in open position and that it doesn'T cause more damages to the piston when the timing belt breaks?

Thanks all!