My A4 1.8 usually starts quickly. Last night after sitting all day, it took a long time cranking but finally started. On starting, it ran fine. It has also started numerous times since then, including this AM when it was 27 degrees.

It also wheezed, that is, sounded like it was having trouble breathing. And, it SEEMED to crank faster although this may be my imagination.

This AM, there was a little hesitation, then it ran fine.

The car has shown Code P0171 for months which has to do with lean mixture. I am slowly checking and replacing vacuum hoses. Last step is the hose that disappears under the turbo, it's hard to get to.

The coolant temperature sensor was replaced with a green one over a year ago.

I tried regular gas for the first time, could that be the problem?

So, two questions:

1. Is this a common problem with the A4 B5?

2. Does anyone have any advice?

Many thanks,

John

 

Highly unlikely. Premium is no more volatile/explosive than regular. It just has more knock inhibitors so the electonic ignition can advance the spark a bit more. But at start that's really not an issue. You had something else go on there.

 

Thank you. It has started fine all day long. I hate intermittent problems, they never happen so you can diagnose what is happening!