2000 Audi A4 Engine "Slipping"

Tiny
CLLOHMER
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 AUDI A4
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 74,000 MILES
I have never had a problem with this Audi until I left it sit for 15 months while I was in Iraq. When I first got it out of storage it ran great with no problems but halfway through my 1200 mile trip home the engine started to sort of hiccup while driving, almost as if took my foot on and off the gas really quickly. It doesn't do it all the time but it has gotten more frequent in the past couple days. It used to only happen at higher cruising speeds, but now it does it at lower speeds as well. Feels almost like something is slipping and then catching back in the engine. The car had a new timing belt and water pump put in at 50K miles and regular oil changes, but other than that hasn't had any other issues.
Thursday, November 13th, 2008 AT 9:20 AM

16 Replies

Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
My first thoughts are fuel filter or fuel pressure regulator.
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Thursday, November 13th, 2008 AT 1:08 PM
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,384 POSTS
I would check fuel filter too. Vehicle been stood 15 month the fuel in at restart can't have been that good? This could also be a sign of the clutch starting to slip.?
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Thursday, November 13th, 2008 AT 1:28 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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When the engine "slips" does the engine rev up?
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Thursday, November 13th, 2008 AT 5:08 PM
Tiny
DAVE H
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Yes the engine will rev. Up if the clutch slips. Ohh you was asking a question?
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Thursday, November 13th, 2008 AT 5:49 PM
Tiny
CLLOHMER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I haven't noticed it revving up or down when it slips mostly because it happens in short bursts and then is done. Last night the check engine light flashed on for about 10 seconds and then shut off. I put some Lucas fuel additive in the tank and have driven about 90 miles and it hasn't happened again. Do you still think the fuel filter needs to be replaced?
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Friday, November 14th, 2008 AT 4:13 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
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Yes, I would go ahead and change the filter. It would be a cheap fix. But first, lets's find out what triggered your check engine light. Can you pull the trouble codes? If not, you need to take it to someone who can scan the computer. Most major auto parts stores will do this for free.
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Friday, November 14th, 2008 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
DAVE H
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  • 13,384 POSTS
If "Slip" happening in short burst's you would still get a noticable high rev's if clutch is slipping so think we can rule that out. Yes change the filter it cannot do any harm. The cleaner may have cured the fault. It may not. You need to get the ECU/PCM read for codes.
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Friday, November 14th, 2008 AT 7:04 PM
Tiny
CLLOHMER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
So I took the car in and they checked the plugs and wires and said they couldn't find anything wrong so I was going to take it to the dealer. Not close to where I live so I had to bring it somewhere else first. But it hasn't happened since then. The car has actually been running great ever since except that just a day ago the check engine light came on. I got the code pulled and they said that it was the Air Pump. The dealer told me that's a $600+ fix. My question is worth it and how vital is it to have that replaced?
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Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
DAVE H
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Could you supply the fault code?
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Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 AT 9:18 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
Dave H. Is right, if you can get us the ECM code, sometimes we can "read between the lines" so to speak, and maybe come up with something else. To answer your question, Failure of the air pump usually won't affect engine performance. It is more for polution control and if you are in an area that requires anual emissions inspection, you probably won't pass without it.
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Wednesday, December 10th, 2008 AT 10:33 PM
Tiny
CLLOHMER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yeah, it is P0411 or just 411.
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Thursday, December 11th, 2008 AT 7:10 AM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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The code P0411 could be a "lean" condition. Have you changed fuel filter yet?
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Saturday, December 13th, 2008 AT 1:10 PM
Tiny
CLLOHMER
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I never changed the fuel filter because after they check the plugs and wires it ran great for a week. It is still running fine, now just with the check engine light on. What do you mean by it could be a "lean" condition?
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Saturday, December 13th, 2008 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
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A "lean" condition can be by any restriction in the fuel system ie: fuel pump, fuel filter, pressure regulator, OR, EGR valve or false readings from an O2 sensor. The explaination of code 0411 is very vague.
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Saturday, December 13th, 2008 AT 10:34 PM
Tiny
CLLOHMER
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Do you know if the secondary air pump for this vehicle needs a 2 pin 45 degree angle plug connector or just a straight 90 degree one? Or will either one work?
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Wednesday, December 24th, 2008 AT 3:20 PM
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
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What are we trying to do? Is the existing plug bad? As long as the pin configuration is the same, either plug should work.
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Sunday, December 28th, 2008 AT 1:28 PM

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