RustyHAT

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and also new to my schoolboy dream car - a V reg 2000 Audi A4 1.8.

I bought it this weekend privately and I know it had been sitting idle for a good 6 months with old petrol in it so I expected it to be a bit "chuggy" to start with. I have since driven 200 miles with fresh petrol through it (gone through over half a tank now) and, although it is better once warmed up, it is still a little"chuggy" when cold - once it hits 4000 RPM it struggles and shakes in lower gears and, worst of all, on the motorway at 90MPH it simply loses power and offers nothing until idled back to 70MPH again.

There are no engine warning lights or anything on, has anybody experienced this before or any ideas where I should start?

I hope someone can help me :-)

4Driver4

Start by pulling some codes.
If no codes, check for boost leaks and/or change the coolant temp sensor.

RustyHAT

Hi, thanks for the advice - I have booked the car in at 9am Saturday morning to hook up and get any codes there may be so hopefully that will help. I have one more question though from anyone that can help - should the car idle at a constant RPM? Mine seems to be revving itself between 200 and 1000 RPM for a good few attempts before settling at 800. is this normal?

4Driver4

I'm assuming (because you don't say) that you used some sort of battery tender and that the battery did not die for an extended period while the car was parked.

If that is not the case, you might need a throttle body adjustment.

RustyHAT

It has had a brand new battery in it because the old one did lose all power yes - is that what you mean?

4Driver4

Good information. Should have been in the original post.

Given this new info, I would say to start with a throttle body adjustment.

MikekiM@PureMS

If you don't have any of the service records for it, start with just some basics. Change the oil, check the plugs, change the fuel filter.
The TBA as mentioned is very important on these as well, so make sure that gets done.

jayveedub

HI Guys


Im from south africa , im having the same problem car wont go past 4000 PRM , in nuetral or in gear. i have no fault codes nothing.

turbo510

It may need a throttle body adjustment, but that doesn't explain loosing power on the highway. That could be low fuel pressure.

RustyHAT

Hi gents, thanks for all the good advice - like I said I'd put her in the garage on Saturday morning.
End result, the vacuum pump had broken so the car was not getting any air in with the fuel which was causing the "chugging".

Now replaced, she is driving like a dream - no problems whatsoever.

Just thought I'd post to let others know the solution and a potential failure mode.

I will be putting in for a service after New Year as well though, just to look after her a bit!