sbrook

I've got a 1997 A4Q 1.8t 5spd with an Upsolute 1bar chip and approx 76k. Purchased car at 61K 15 months ago (chipped by seller). Boost used to feel very fast to spool and depending on my shift points the power under boost felt almost scary. Wonderful rush. In recent months my perception is that lag has increased, felt boost has decreased (actually feels smoother than before but not as powerful) and boost power has moved further up rev band. Where it used to feel more uniform from 2500 to 5000 it seems to kick in with more authority above 3500. Some of this may be my getting used to the car but I believe that my subjective (no diagnostics, no boost gauge) observations are valid. One place I really notice it is on my favorite on-ramp on the way to work. Used to hit it in 3rd and go tearing up, now it just doesn't have the same kick unles I take it in 2nd, and even then it's not quite the same.

My knee jerk thought is the BPV. Current unit is oem 710x (dunno which rev) which was replaced by previous owner when he bought the car. When I asked him what his indicator was that it needed replacement he said because the car "had no power". He's a VW tech with full access to tools and VAG so I guess that a gut check diagnosis was pretty obvious. Best guesstimate is that this BPV has at least 20k on it. Local Audi dealer has 710n for $37 so replacing the BPV on principle isn't going to hurt anything. Obviously there are a host of other things to check that could contribute to this problem but short of a trip to a qualified mechanic...any suggestions?

auditunerb5

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/49455/cracked_hose.jpg"></center><p>and check it with a vacuum pump. Prob a boost leak check all of your pressure side connections and vacuum hoses. Also check this hose to see if it cracked along the seem..