car shakes violently

**gregpaterson** · 30-01-2007,05:31 PM

last night while driving home i accellerated a bit too quickly the esp light came on there was a popping sound then the car started to shake and judder even in neutral when i opened the bonnet the catalytic converter was glowing red hot i think it has started misfiring is this common

car is a 52 plate A4 1.8T automatic 163 ps not a quattro

also phoned local audi main dealer who want to charge £65.00 per hour is thiat a reasonable hourly rate

**Huweth** · 30-01-2007,06:14 PM

Are you sure it was the catalytic converter and not the turbo?

**Dave Avant** · 30-01-2007,09:53 PM

I've done trackdays in tubo'd cars and have had the bonnet up in the pits and not seen any bit glowing red hot, maybe possible, but it would have to be an extreme like a long hard accelleration.

Are you sure its definately the cat, if so it could be blocked and gases are being forced through it raising the temp. How does the car drive otherwise, is the power still there?

Also if its misfiring, unburnt fuel can be sent down the exhaust onto the hot cat raising the temp further. Could be a plug, hard to say.

**gregpaterson** · 31-01-2007,07:28 PM

thanks guys its definately the cat glowing like you say it could be straight fuel going into exhaust system but its a definite misfire i have an independent mechanic who comes highly recomended coming to look at it tommorrow fingers crossed ill let you know the outcome

**Teutonic_Tamer** · 01-02-2007,04:29 PM

If it is as bad as you say, then it should have stored some fault codes

Rgds

**gregpaterson** · 01-02-2007,07:12 PM

i have been told that one of the coil pack has failed nobody has answered my question is £65 a reasonable hourly rate?

**Dansk** · 01-02-2007,07:15 PM

Yes it is my dealer in Bradford W Yorks charges £110 per hour so yours is cheap.

**Dave Avant** · 01-02-2007,07:17 PM

Originally Posted by gregpaterson

i have been told that one of the coil pack has failed nobody has answered my question is £65 a reasonable hourly rate?

Its the going dealer rate, but I would charge you £20ph

. Can you search for an Independant near you, they will be around £25ph. Coil pack shouldn't take more than an hours labour!! Not familiar with your engine, but most engines have a coil on each plug and are dead easy to change, you have to remove them to change the plugs. Usually a couple of small bolts, unplug it, pull off spark plug, fit new one!! I would seriously attempt DIY exhange!! Help is here to guide you!!