[Audi A3/S3] A3 2.0T FSI Engine Keeps Cutting Out

[godius]

Hi, I have an Audi A3 2.0T FSI Quattro from 2006 (200bhp model). A month or 2 back I chipped the car with the MyBlueFin machine to give it a bit of extra HP and Torque. The car has been running great until today when I went for a short drive.

When I started the car, it sounded a little funny, but nothing really to worry about. Then after giving the car a good clean with a jet-wash I went down town. On the way back up to my place (uphill) the car couldn’t keep its stationary revs of (1000rpm) when i had to stop and i saw the needle jumping all over the place. Eventually after a few seconds the engine cut out. I managed to get the car starting again within a few seconds and drive home.

When i parked my car the same thing happened again, and the engine cut out.

Now i remember that a week or so ago I also saw that the rev needle was jumping around a bit when the car was stationary (900rpm - 1300rpm, instead of steady 1000rpm), however back then I didn't cut out.

Any idea what the problem might be? Do you think it has something to do with the fact that the car has 40bhp extra now? I do run the engine pretty hard (often full speed on motorway, and rev to 6500rpm while accelerating.)

Thanks very much for your help.

[cruiser647]

Chappy on here with Golf GTi (same engine) is having similar(ish) issues.

His problem might be either turbo pipework related, ie a hole or a split pipe, or a broken/damaged turbo dump valve.

I'd start with checking the hoses - by giving them a good squeeze to see if they have perished, loose or are split anywhere?

Hope that helps.

[Phil_S]

and if that doesn't work i believe theres a engine temperature sensor that causes similar erratic revving, best to check out someone with vag com too

[Hellz]

I had a similar problem on my S3 8L. In addition to the unstable revs at idle I'd also lose power when driving/accelerating (sometimes referred to as limp mode). In my situation though the engine never cut out.

Anyway, I had it checked out and it turned out i needed a new MAF sensor (Mass Air Flow), it cost about £70-£80 inc labour and part.

Could be something similar - at least worth investigating

[BW2309]

All points mentioned above are relevant but also check the oil filler cap! These have a valve in them and if they stick or the little cover with the oil can picture comes off then the engine draws unmetered air theough into the crankcase and will stall at idle and most likely store a fault suggesting ingestion of unmetered air. I've seen this on 4 2.0TFSi's now!

[BW2309]

Do you think it has something to do with the fact that the car has 40bhp extra now? I do run the engine pretty hard (often full speed on motorway, and rev to 6500rpm while accelerating.)

Thanks very much for your help.

Dont worry about the use of the car. As long as you are allowing it to warm up/cool down and keep it maintained you should not be able to harm it. 6500rpm perfectly reasonable and hard accelaration. These engine will give 400+bhp on standard internals! It's built to use, use it and don't worry. If the driving style affected the "chip" then it has issues!