Audi A3 acceleration issue

[Butcher]

I've got a weird issue with my car - when I try to put the power down in 2nd or 3rd it seems to struggle for about a second then kick in. This has quite recently developed - within the past few weeks.

I tried revving it right up in 2nd and 3rd today and I can only get 5.1k rpm (red line is ~6.5k). Also when flat out in 2nd or 3rd it seems to pulse the power on and off noticably and the revs fluctuate by about 1-200.

I then tried revving it in neutral and it went straight up to the redline no problem at all.

Any idea what's up?

Car is a 1.6 petrol, 1999, 67k miles on the clock.

[matty-hodgson]

are all Audi A3s just self destructing?

we've already had someone with a similar problem not too long ago

sounds electrical to me though. tried with your dealer?

[GavinS]

Blocked cat?
Lamda sensor?
Have you checked/replaced the spark plugs?
Have you checked if the same problem occurs with the MAF removed?

[Butcher]

No, not checked any of those, not sure how to for the most part. IIRC it had new plugs last service, which would have been in june, do spark plugs die that fast?

It's due a service in a couple of thousand miles, if it's not going to damage the engine I may leave it till then.

[digit]

I've got a weird issue with my car - when I try to put the power down in 2nd or 3rd it seems to struggle for about a second then kick in. This has quite recently developed - within the past few weeks.

Wierd you mention this, I have this problem with my car Mondeo 1.8 Mark 2. I recently had a service, spark plugs etc. This has improved things massively for me but the problem is still there

Might be worth you taking it to a trusted garage to have a look at / chat about.

EDIT: Try some Redex Fuel Injector Cleaner, it helps my car run a lot smoother!

[Konan555]

Might be worth running a little cleaner through it to start with.

[Butcher]

Stuck some redex injector cleaner in it today, will see how it does.

[Butcher]

2 tanks worth of injector cleaner later and it's running fine. Guess it was just a bit clogged.

[digit]

Awesome, glad to hear it got sorted out cheaply!

[GoNz0]

or the cold weather is keeping it running, time will tell !

could be a bad connection or anything, you really should go get the codes read off the ecu and reset !

mine started running bad, must have lost 100bhp, read the codes and found the camshaft sensor was shot, cars running like new again now

[Butcher]

Had it in for a service today and got them to have a look; hall sensor is shot apparently causing the dodgy running. Getting it sorted next monday, a bit more than a fiver, but should be worth it I hope.

[GoNz0]

fingers crossed thats all it is as other things can cause a false hall sensor issue

[chriswood_7]

Check the MAF as those bosch ones that VAG use are terrible.

[Butcher]

New sensor in, seems ok so far. *touch wood*

[eshrules]

Check the MAF as those bosch ones that VAG use are terrible.

MAF's are renowned for failure across the board, being what they are and where they are, it's unavoidable. I've tried the pierburg alternative in the golf and it was crass, £60 wasted IMHO, I've since stuck a bosch in and now problems so far.

New sensor in, seems ok so far. *touch wood*

It may be worth a diagnostic session, just for safety's sake if you have any future issues.