Huntgun

Hello guys, Newbie here. Appreciate your suggestions in trouble shooting my 2015 Q5 2.0T cylinder #3 misfire problems. Mileage just about 44000 km. Recently I noticed the car was shaking/jerking when acceleration or driving uphill, especially during cold days when the weather is below -5 C degree. Got an OBDeleve and followed the basic diagnose instructions. So far my finding is:

1. No Check Engine Light warning.
2. Swapped the coil pack, misfire still on cylinder #3
3. Swapped spark plug, misfire still on cylinder #3.
4. Misfire happened when the engine running at around 1700 to 2100 RMP, regardless the vehicle speed from 30 to 110 kph.
5. Engine rmp below 1500 or above 2500, everything is good, no misfire, but feel delay when engine RMP increase from 2000 to 2500.
6. No issue during start up or idle stage.
7. Seems this issue related to the cold weather (but not related to the engine temperature). warmer day feel better
8. Cleaned MAF sensor with the CRC sensor cleaner, seems no help.
9. I am the first owner of the car.

See below for my OBDeleven reading:

Car: Audi Q5
Year: 2015
Body type: SUV
Engine: CPMB
Mileage: 44180 KM

---------------------------------------------------------------
01 Engine

System description: 2.0l R4/4V TF
Software number: 8R1907115L
Software version: 0005
Hardware number: 8K2907115L
Hardware version: H09
ODX name: EV_ECM20TFS0118R1907115L
ODX version: 001006
Long coding: 6A2A0013242600062000

Trouble codes:
P030000 - Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
Intermittent
Date: 2021-01-08 20:01:34
Mileage: 44157 km
Priority: 2
Malfunction frequency counter: 1
Unlearning counter: 255
Engine speed: 2164.50 1/min
Normed load value: 49.4 %
Vehicle speed: 116 km/h
Coolant temperature: 96 °C
Intake air temperature: -3 °C
Ambient air pressure: 890 mbar
Voltage terminal 30: 14.489 V
Dynamic environmental data: 20964A107A0311BD0E4D13380612160EEF151404126E65D610100860
P030300 - Cyl.3 Misfire Detected
Intermittent


Thank you very much for your help!

Bob Petruska

You are doing s great job of systematically by process of elimination locating the issue. I would suggest looking for a bad fuel injector. Unfortunately you can't easily swap injectors (a lot to remove and need special injector removal/install tools). Maybe try a few tanks of gas with Techron Complete Fuel System Cleaner. If improvement is noticed you may want to have the injectors, without removing them, cleaned professionally.

Steppenaudi

I had a cold engine misfire develop on my 2013 Q5 Hybrid (2.0 TFSI, 54 Kmiles). I put a can of Liqui Moly pro-line fuel system cleaner (Liqui Moly 2030 Pro-Line Fuel... ) and drove about 150 miles in one freeway trip. The cold engine miss has stoppped, but I noted that the engine had some misfires hot at high RPM & load on the first tank of gas with the additive. I think this will pass as the additive gets diluted with successive refuelings.

Edit: I drove the vehicle this morning and still have rough idle at cold start & misfires when I accelerate. On second tank (filled half to full) of gas since gas treatment. So I can't give any credence to the fuel system cleaner helping my problem.

Huntgun

Thank you very much Bob and Steppen for the quick response. Learned so many things here and that's also my concerns. Order is on the way and will definitely keep you informed for any outcome, maybe week or so as I don't drive so much. Those cleaning stuff may take a while to work out.

At the same time wondering if the PCV valve performance could be another factor causing this problem. Refer to attached photos from my engine apartment. the PCV valve around area is quite dirty and sometimes I did have a bad smell inside the cabin.

I will try the fuel/injector cleaner first.

rdA4WtQ5

I had the same oil smell when stopped at a light and oil residue on my 2011 Q5. I changed only the PCV diaphragm. It was a Dorman part and picked it up at Advanced Auto. The part was identical to the old one as was the spring pressure.
You have to break the old one to get it off and the new one just snaps on. Was about $25. Took all of 5 minutes to change. I was about to do the full OEM PCV system and saw an ad for just the part that I needed and thought it was worth a try. There are DIY's videos of changing just that part as well.

MurrayA4

rdA4WtQ5 that's a real good tip.
Had the whole PCV recall/update applied only to pre 2014 models ?

rdA4WtQ5

I remember having mine recalled/updated when the car was pretty new.

That diaphragm was toast when I replaced it. No faults or CEL though.

MurrayA4

On the 2011 I assume ? Your brand new SQ5 how do you rate it against the 2011 excluding the whole SQ part LOL.

Huntgun

I phoned my dealership weeks ago and asked them if any pending recall on my 2015 Q5, They confirmed nothing outstanding.

Thank you for reminding this.

rdA4WtQ5

Yes, PCV fix on the 2011. Well, quite a difference from a 2011 Q5 2.0t to a 2020 SQ5. Bigger inside and out. More room for gear and tighter to park through a narrow garage door even with the smaller mirrors. Drive select in Auto the SQ5 is firmer riding than the 2011. The SQ5 is softer in comfort setting. SQ5 takes longer to warm up and gas mileage is worse until It does warm up especially if you don’t go real easy. Once warmed up the gas mileage is comparable. Gas gauge calibration is way different and the SQ5 has a slightly smaller tank. Many more VCDS tweaks available on the 2011. I am missing the turn off auto rear wiper when reversing. I really enjoy the Google maps in Android Auto.
They both have the ZF8 and mechanical Quattro. Less storage space around the spare tire on the SQ5 but there is enough.
The 2011 was the best car I ever owned. Never had any of the dreaded issues and all original. Used less than a 1/4 of quart of oil between 5K oil changes @ 93K miles when sold.
Just over 3K miles on the SQ5 and oil is still full without adding any. RPM’s are much lower in general in normal driving in the SQ5. Engine braking is much better for going down mountain roads in the SQ5. Of course regular brakes are much better too. Both rattle free and no pano roofs.