I’m not having a good time with my 1997 A6 2.8 Q Avant this weekend.

1. On Friday I hit a pot hole in Tewksbury Ma and blew a right front Michelin tire (16 inch wheels) but had a set of BF Goodrich 15’s at home. So after a flat bed tow I put them on the car until I could figure out what to do next. It is coing to cost about $155 for a new tire. UGH

2. Today I began a 100 mile trip in the snow and just after I entered Massachusetts the motor started to act up. First it stumbled a few times, and then lost power for a few seconds, finally it stopped running. It came back on before I stopped but a short time later it stopped. I quickly restarted it with the key agfter i rolled to the side of the road. I turned toward home and it would run great for awhile (3-5 minutes) and then go thru the stumble-power loss etc. thing again. I got home and put VagCOM on it. The code was low O2 which was not surprising cause it was obviously running to rich and the stumble-farting obviously threw a bunch of codes. I cleared the codes and CEL – Then ran it for an hour in the yard to see what re-appeared. Everything looks fine. So I drove it again for about 30 minutes and nothing showed.

As I said Massachusetts hates me!!!

PS I have been having a bit of trouble with the a CEL coming on every three weeks or so. It throws a P0401 code meaning –exhaust gas recirculation flow insufficient – but I don’t think that would cause the problem with Massachusetts.

But maybe the damn thing stuck!!!


PS – The note in the Bentley manual say –Check the vacuum line – LOL –

 

1 - I always buy the road hazard warranty just because of Michigan pot holes.

2 - water in the gas. One can of gas dry will solve your problem.

Bob

 

Bob,

Ask the vendor of that "road hazard warranty" covers broken sidewalls from hitting a pothole. I think you might be indignantly surprised.

been there. Been screwed.

Cheers,

George

 

Covered. Discount Tire.

Been there, done that.

Bob

 

I entered Massachusetts again this morning and the car didn't have a problem.

I like Bob's suggestion about dry gas and will do that tonight. I am beginning to think the problem was snow under the hood. I parked the car with the front toward the wind the night before. When I opened the hood after I got home there was snow around the engine compartment that could have contributed moisture as it melted. I think it is time to do the wires since the vehicle has 200+K miles and I don't know when they were last changed...

Better yet I'll just find something to spray on them - If I were Greek I'd use Windex but I think WD-40 will do! LOL

 

Try with Metaxa. The car will love ya for switching from WD40

 

NH_USA, welcome to Massachusetts, the pot hole capitol of the United States. We have some pretty good one here where I live, some are so big I consider sink holes

 

Yeah, Massachusetts hates you (It hates us to,) but we sure love your money. Hell, we love everyone's money. Don't forget that the legislature just awarded itself a nice big payraise, and we're counting on you to come down and purchase taxable items.

And for sure, nothing like driving through a puddle only to discover "THUD" it's a pothole cleverly disguised as a puddle as you say to yourself "Oh, God, that's going to cost a fortune!"

 

LOL I was born a Masshole (or should I say in Taxachusetts) and moved away as soon as I got through with college. - And NO I did not vote for Ted Kennedy or Barney Frank ever!!!! -- After awhile in New York, Ohio, Kentucky and RI I finally settled in New Hampshire but now work in Mass. I spend all my money in NH except I have to pay the damn Mass income tax. I believe in the NH state slogan "Live free or die" so I'm slowly dieing with the help of older Audis

All really smart Mass people shop in NH when possible...

 

Update -- the 15 inch tires are great - they run as smooth as a baby's butt ----
I guess it was time to get rid of the 16 inch Michelins --

Decisions - decisions - decisions -- replace the 16 inch tires or stay with the 15's ?