First of all this is my first time on this site and I'm a first time Audi owner!
The car seems great but I've only had it for 2 weeks and the check engine light came on yesterday! I stopped by the local AutoZone on the way home and they got that code and they told me it was the fuel tank pressure sensor that needed to be replaced. Has anyone else run into this issue?

Let me first start with the the vehicle and the symptoms. It's a 2011 Audi A4 Quattro. It's drives just fine after you get going but if I'm on city streets or in stop and go traffic it hesitates when I hit the gas from a stop, spits out black smoke from time to time and sputters a little when I'm forced to come to a sudden stop.

I know it could actually be a number of things that would show that code. It means the engine is burning rich. Black smoke also indicates that it's burning rich so that seems to be the problem. I need to know what could be the other issues and where I should start with this problem. I would like to do the work myself if possible.

Update: I found a local German automotive mechanic just 5 minutes down the road. Lucky me! The man was great and very helpful. He ran a diagnostic on the car for free and talked with me about the issues and Audis for a while. Ok, so, the car threw 4 codes. The fuel pressure sensor is going out, not to be confused with the fuel tank pressure sensor that AutoZone told me about. He told me to go ahead and check the filter, which I haven't done yet. It's raining pretty bad over here. And there's an air leak somewhere... You can actually barely hear it. Then it's also throwing that P2188 code indicating that the system is running rich. He said that that is likely due to a bad filter, the air leak, and/or the fuel pressure sensor going out; i.e. high fuel to air ratio. I'll let you guys know how it turns out when I get this stuff fixed. If anyone is actually reading this. I could still use some pointer with replacing the fuel pressure sensor... Maybe some knowledge on common air leaks with these vehicles (what areas I should be looking at).,.

 

I'm still stuck with you just bought the car 2 weeks ago and you have these issues. They just didn't happen , so I would go back to the dealer or lot where you go the car and have them fix it or return your money. If it's a private sale you have been had so in that case go back to your german mechanic and have him fix it before more damage happens.

 

Yeah it seems I got had a bit... I bought it used with 114k miles on the odometer but I know these motors run for a long time so I figured I may be able to get another hundred out of it easy. The car fax showed regular maintenance and oil changes and it ran great from the dealership, of course, but the mechanic said he saw that the codes had been cleared out on 1/30. I did buy the car "AS IS" with no warranty. That's my fault, but it doesn't seem to be a big deal.

The mechanic didn't seem worried about it. He told me what needed to be fixed, didn't try to sale me on fixing a bunch of stuff, and was helpful in giving me advice in changing out the fuel pressure sensor. It's right on top of the engine under the intake manifold. You can see it between the first two ports. The main thing I want to get figured out is the air leak. The air filter could be changed out by a two year old... Can I spray soapy water on the hoses behind the engine? That seems to be where the sound is coming from. I'm assuming it would bubble and that would obviously let me know where it's coming from or eliminate those lines.

 

OK a little more info sheds more light on the issue. At 114K miles you will be starting to pour money into the car. Usually the turbo's are good for around 100K miles before they start to go. So I would check out the turbo and also get the engine smoke tested for vacuum/air leaks. Have the sensor replaced and the air filter but they usually don't cause this type of problem. Also if the dealer sold you a car that they reset the codes then you may have a legal case to get your money back. Unless you plan on doing your own work any car with 100K+ miles on it is a concern. Good luck

 

Thanks. Hopefully it doesn't come to a legal battle... Don't want to have to deal with that ****. Assuming the turbo is going bad is there a good aftermarket replacement for those?

 

At this point I wouldn't assume anything. I would ask around and find the best mechanic who deals with Audi's and have them go over the car. I usually don't want to start throwing parts at it until there is some good diagnostic work done. The codes are tripped by sensors but at times you have to dig to understand what of the many sensors caused the problem. Ask a mechanic if he replaces the sensor he thinks is bad will he guaranty the same code will not come up.

 

did you ever resolve your issue with p2188?

 

I just went through this on a 2012 A4 2.0t. Very rough idle at cold start, also had some misfires registered on one occasion and felt like a lack of power. At first it was no codes, then p2188. First thought was injectors, but after alot of searching the resolution was a new HPFP. There was also the smell of fuel in oil due to pump leaking into crank case. Changed with new Hitach HPFP, changed follower for good measure and of course the contaminated oil. All has been well for a week now.

 

Mine was throwing 2178 2188 and an air leak code, and was obviously running rich on idle. Looking at live running data, both short and long term fuel trims were at -25%, so the ECU is at the limit trying to weaken the mixture. My problem was the HPFP internally leaking a little fuel into the crankcase, which then gets breathed in via the PCV and burnt. Replaced that and so far back to normal! No idea why the air leak code was also there occasionally.
Meggerwatts