Audi 80 2.0L ABK engine juddering/misfire

**brd** · 23-11-2006,02:44 PM

Hi all,
I am having a problem with generally intermittant juddering when driving (at any revs) and very rough tickover ... it seems mainly when hot. There is a smell at the same time which I guess is from the catalytic convertor. I changed plugs, plug leads and distributor cap as they were in a bad way, but the problem is still there. I have ordered a new lambda sensor and will fit that in the next few days when it comes.

Any ideas on what else could be the issue? It has been getting progressively worse and now the car is becoming pretty much undriveable.

Any help is greatly appreciated... thanks!!
Brian.

PS: I've seen posts there where people were having trouble with dash lights fuse blowing, reversing/rear fog lights not working, boot light, etc.... the problem is the boot cable on the left hand side at the hinge that bends too much and breaks internally. Change or fix it and sorted. Its a know problem.

**Marc97** · 23-11-2006,10:46 PM

Wait until your lambda sensor arrives. It will more than likely fix your problem (fingers crossed).
If it isn't that, it may be the air flow meter or MAF sensor as it is also known (isn't it?).
Great advice too on your first post, welcome aboard

**brd** · 28-11-2006,09:33 AM

Looks like the engine running problem is finally sorted!

Changed the Lambda sensor last night... straightforward enough. Car runs pretty sweet now. Just need time to tell as the problem was a bit intermittant, but I reckon we're lookin good.

So... all in all, I could see improvements in the problem after changing the plug leads, distributor cap, air filter, plugs, and finally the lambda sensor. I think it was the lambda guy that was the main cause but the symptoms were incrementally getting a little better by changing each of the other parts.

So, if ever you get bucking while driving, whether under load, neutral load or slowing down, rough tickover, really smelly exhaust fumes... and a real pain to drive, particularly in traffic.... and sometimes cutting out when throttle dropping back down to tick-over.... then this is your most likely cause. I also had very carbonated plugs from running too rich and fuel consumption was not great.

A standard service covers some of the parts, but one should consider changing the lambda sensor and plug leads at about 100,000 miles as part of a service. An easy enough job, just a little fiddely routing the sensor lead, but with the car well jacked up, it's ok. The lambda sensor cost 45GBP+shipping (about 70euro) - sourced through the web). For a 1995 ABK engine it is the 3-wire one.

Hope this helps other people out there.. and thanks for the advice.

**Marc97** · 28-11-2006,11:14 AM

Well done mate.

**Timja** · 28-11-2006,09:22 PM

What is a lambda sensor?

Mine is not idling very well, but waiting for a new air pipe from Audi (Been waiting 7 weeks now!!!!

) that goes to the idling control valve as mine has a hole in it!

Audi being useless - Audi UK customer services also as poor as dealer. When i phoned them having got fed up with dealer and having to wait so long, their response was 'to be honest with you sir, your car is more than 10 years old, and we are only legally obliged to keep spare parts for 10 years so may not help you'

Nice.

**brd** · 29-11-2006,07:08 PM

The lambda (or oxygen) sensor measures oxygen level in the eshaust gases. Check this link out for more info:
http://www.autohausaz.com/audi-auto-...i-repairs.html

And I hear you loud and clear about service... got shafted 350 euro for Audi garage to replace plug leads and distributor cap and they said problem sorted.... which it was not. They said the cap was broken (they broke it!) and ignored being told that the smell from the cat was an issue which would have helped source the lambda sensor as the problem. When I started to "fight" back, I got the cliche garage talk pushing any responsibility elsewhere. I've been working with engines long enough to understand the complete twaddle ... but was away and didn't have much option. Unreal.

**stridey** · 21-05-2007,04:03 PM

Hi all,

I've got an m-reg audi 80se, sounds like its got a very similar problem to what most of you are experiencing......... although my fog light switch keeps flashing red when engine is tryin to stall, & on a couple of occasions has actually cut out ( then wont start or even attempt to fire for at least 10 minutes) got told it was possibly the boot loom wiring (which it wasn't)
HELP!!!! cos its really startin to do my suede in. any ideas would be appreciated

**brd** · 21-05-2007,07:59 PM

If you can get a garage to run a diagnostics check on it, that could be the easiest place to start to find out what's wrong. If it was the lambda sensor for example, that would show up. See if you can geta quote for what needs to be changed, and then see if you can change it yourself. Some parts are easy enough to change and you can get parts online for good prices.
B.