Short Version: check all your plugs, the tool costs $2.49 at oriley auto, all 4 new plugs i got from ngk were off-gap.

Long version: 2 months ago i bought my first audi and replaced the engine. When i did that i bought ngk platinum spark plugs, i noticed after i fixed all the major issues (boost leaks, sensors ect.) my car still kinda drive "rough". By rough i mean if im flooring it it feels like the car is lightly jerking back and forth, i mean very lightly. If you got into my car and drove it you wouldn't notice, but im very picky about everything, and it still bothers me to this day. Even after i got my car chipped it still did it but i had much more power so i kind of stop worrying about it. So today i checked my spark plugs and all 4 were messed up pretty badly gap wise. They should have all came at .32, one was at .28, one was at .34, another was at 30 and another one was over .40, and it surprised me how off they all were even from a reputable company like ngk. So just a reminder to everyone check your spark plugs! after i regaped all 3 down to .28 my car drives smoother, it still "hesitates" but its not as bad (maybe the hesitation is completely gone and its just in my head?), my next guess is that its one of the coils because i have no idea what else it could be. The other day i blew a coil on the way to a appointment, luckily i drive with spare coils in my trunk and i just swapped it out there on the side of the road but im guessing maybe a different coil could be prematurely failing? Is this even possible? Any way to check? , im logging and scanning with the vagcom and im not getting any abnormal readings.

 

A little throttle hesitation is completely normal with the 2000 and 2001 ATW and AWM engine cars.

Log blocks 15 and 16 to check for misfires. If you see misfires, move the coil for that cylinder and see if the misfires follow.

 

Thanks for the info I really appreciate it.

 

You should always check the gap on your plugs. When they come off the line at NGK they may have been at .32, but they have been handled many, many times before they were put in your hands. Are you sure they are supposed to be gapped at .32? that is a HUGE gap, maybe .032?

They could have been dropped, or returned by someone that gapped them different. If the guy at the parts store was any kind of parts pro, he would have told you the recommend gap when he handed you your plugs.

I have been a parts pro for many years, and parts guys like they one you got really erk me. If he would have taken 10 more seconds, it would have saved you a lot of time and headache.

 

I had a similar issue with my Buick... very subtle, but noticeable to only me (girlfriend thought I was nuts). Ended up being a very dirty mass air flow sensor- soaked it overnight in a tub of seafoam- worked great after that... Didn't care any more though; bought my Audi! let the kid worry about it!

not sure if an Audi has the same setup for Mass air flow...might be worth a look. good luck

 

I replaced the maf, and a bunch of other.things.

 

Ok I'm surprised the car runs at .32 the plugs are to be gapped at .032 or .028 maybe if your chipped.....

 

Oh my bad, i ment to put a 0 before all of them, i didnt think it made a difference.