My '01 Quattro sounds like a WRX!?

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May 4, 2009 | 08:49 AM
  #1  
Just happened yesterday as I was accelerating onto the interstate. Everything was going well until all of the sudden it felt like a hit a brick wall and had a HUGE power drop-off. Power never returned and the exhaust note sounds like a Flat-4 from a WRX right now. If the car sees ANY boost very audible spark knock occurs. I had the ckeck engine codes run with an OBD-II scanner and it came back as Random Misfire on Cylinders 2 & 4. Do any of you have any idea what this could be? I'm taking it to the dealership tomorrow as I don't have time to work on it with work and would like to give them SOME idea of what to check before they place the replace and charge until we find it game with me. Thanks in advance for the information guys and gals!
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May 4, 2009 | 09:35 AM
  #2  
My guess is ignition coils.
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May 4, 2009 | 09:40 AM
  #3  
You know... That was my initial thought as well, but would two coils go back at the exact same time? If so, what are the odds of that happening? I was thinking something electrical that goes to the coils that is shared by cylinders #2 and #4, but the coil harness runs behind the head to where I can't see...
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May 4, 2009 | 09:44 AM
  #4  
if it has the beru coils the dealership said they never go bad what plugs are in it?
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May 4, 2009 | 09:48 AM
  #5  
Not positive on which coils are in the car right now as it is at home and alas, I am at work... It has NGK's in it. I forget the model of the plugs though. They had 3 prongs with the 1 terminal setup though if that helps you out any. I do have a new set of the cheapie plugs to test and see if that fixes the problem. If so, I am going to buy the more expensive kind to replace the cheapies...
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May 4, 2009 | 09:51 AM
  #6  
is it a 1.8t or v6
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May 4, 2009 | 09:54 AM
  #7  
nvm just seen ur sig i had the same prob when i got the denso irdium plugs and they lasted two gears i spent 68$ on them turned around bought ngk plugs that run 1 degree cooler then stock plugs and have not had a missfire since
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May 4, 2009 | 09:58 AM
  #8  
So plugs could be the culprit? What would be the odds of two failing at once? That's the part that gets me. It was accelerating up a hill in second gear to MAYBE 5500 RPM then shifted to third and got up to interstate speed (~70mph) and then no power...
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May 4, 2009 | 10:24 AM
  #9  
Same thing *just* happened to me this weekend and it was two coil packs. I replaced all mine to be on the safe side and it's back to running great. They're about 35 each.
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May 4, 2009 | 10:36 AM
  #10  
Ben,

Did you get the same code from your CEL? Also, did you have the same flat-4 sound to the exhaust? If so, that is good news as I can change those EASILY in no time. I know it is ignition related, just don't know if it is an easy fix (coils/plugs) or more difficult (electrical). Thanks for all your help guys!
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