IJ

Took my A3 for a service (see previous posts re rough idle) and amongst other things attended to the mechanics cut a small metal clip that holds boost pipe (wrapped in silvery insulating foil) to one of the aircon pipes (also wrapped in foil). These were clipped together just behind the engine. The pipes run from the rear right hand side down the back of the engine (ie. between the engine and the chassis). They cut the metal clip that was quite visibly squeezing the two pipes togehter and replaced it with a looser clip. Result: I noticed an immediate performance mid range acceleration improvement. It IS a faster car now (and my A3 was/is 190bhp)! The dealer later confirmed that this is a known problem with some A3's (my A3 is 1999 but manufacture date is 05/98). They also replaced the underbonnet insulation sheet as a factory recall item. Apparently the insulation may rub against a throttle body causing the throttle cable to go loose, and guess what, the throttle cable on my car was loose. So the car now drives much better. However my idle problem, albeit minor, is still there The mechanic argues that rough idle comes with the age, but it doesn't feel right.. It hope its not ECU (MTM) related. Will leave it a bit longer and see as my warranty is valid for another 11/2 year.
IJ
99A31.8T(190bhp)

Deep

As far as the idle problem goes, my A3 is going in next week with the same problem. I don't think this is normal, but will see what excuses my dealership gives me.

I will let you know.

Tony
'98 A3 1.8T (standard....)

DHA

Come on give people some credit. The Audi mechanics cant fob us off with an excuse like that. If your car was 5 years old with 100,000miles on the clock then yes maybe it could be down to age.

How much **** can Audi come up with. Do you think Audi(UK) are running a national competition to see which dealer can **** off their customers the most?<p>David
2000 A3 quattro

Wando

could you post a pic to better describe as I am very interested.
John.

ravenx

<p><a href="http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/audis3"><img SRC="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/AudiWorldPics/2000/ravenx_glow.GIF" BORDER=0></a>

Rurz

LOL!!! front runners are known to us all I think!!

IJ

Sorry no pic but the pipes are running straight down the middle on the back of the engine and the original clip holding them together was about 20-25cm below the top of the engine cover. Its dark outside (its winter here) but boost pipe leads from the air duct (passing next to the left corner of the engine cover) along the back of the enigne cover and drops down the back of the engone. The aircon pipe (mechanic said its an aircon pipe) leads along the chassis (just below the wipers). At the middle back of the engine cover (again below wipers) they both lead staright down. Where they begin to get close to the engine they are wrapped in that foil and few centimetres below there's a famous metal clip they that squeezes these rubber pipes and is now replaced. Hope this helps.
IJ
99A31.8T(before maybe 175bhp and now 190bhp!)

SilverBullet_A3

Hi guys, have been away for a while.

As far as Idling on my A3 1.8TS is concerned, it was ok until I fitted a larger Inlet to the Turbo. I had a Bailey dump valve fitted at the time (NOT NOW!!) and was having all sorts of troubles.

However, I replaced the dv with a std item and the car drove well. I drove to Belgium 3 weeks ago, and saw a chip tuner ther, called Heinz Tuning (excellent Porsche/Bmw/VW & Audi Tuners).
He tried reading the chip and couldn't because the original chip had a bad connection. He sorted this out and soldered a socket to my motherboard... he showed me every step of the way... which was cool.

He said he'd have to study the UK chip, as the Belgian/German serial numbers didn't tie up (and this was a Sunday!), so we could not proceed.

After re-fit, the car drove marginally quicker (after cleaning the contacts ?)but had an odd idle. I thought this would stabalise, but didn't. It was annoying to say the least. I have not gone back there yet, but the new chip is ready - and for a lesser fee than UK dealers too!

I also understand that odd Idle comes about after chip tuning, as I read in the forums a while back (A3 with a MTM chip). My bro runs a garage in London, so I used his diagnostics equipment, and did a few simple checks. Amongst them , I ourged the injectors, and the Carbon cannister. After this, I can confirm that Idle is A OK! Honestly, the car pulls like a train, and is a joy to own... not going to sell it now!!

As for "age related" thats a load of nonsense. Mine is a 97 model and drives just fine Mr Audi!!