Audi A3 - Uneven idling 400-1200rpm + cutting out!!

[spudmanpete]

PLEASE HELP ME IF YOU CAN MY HEAD FEELS LIKE THE ONE IN THE MIDLE...

I've had my A3 for 18 months and the tick over hasn’t been that good from the start but more recently has got so bad the rpm when idling can fluctuate between 400-1200rpm! Occasionally cutting out all together.

The cutting out is a real problem when I have got the clutch depressed.

In addition to this: I have had what I believe to be a separate problem in the last two months of oil in my water (almost like pure oil though not the mayo stuff you'd probably expect from a head gasket or similar!!! Dun dun derrr, surprise surprise all my local garages kicked the wheel and said..."that’ll be the head gasket mate"!

I continued to make enquires and a few more informed people suggested it may be worth changing the external oil cooler as a first port of call. Which I have now had done. Seems to have rectified the problem (fingers crossed), however just wanted to mention this problem incase you thought the two may be related.

In short, my cars running terribly please help me if you can.

Many many thanks
Pete