After 4 1/2 years of trouble free service my vRS is feeling a little sick this morning.

On the 3 mile drive from the hotel in Bracknell to the office in Ascot, the car stuttered then the engine management light began flashing (about 1s on/off), then it stoped flashing, then it started etc - anywhere between 10 and 30 secs with the light not flashing.

The car seems to drive ok, and apart from the light doesn't seem to bad although I could convince my self there's a little lumpiness over all.

Diagnosis please and recomendations for dealers in the Ascot area - I'd like to get back home tonight.

Thanks

Could be one of so many things, but those symptoms are the same as I got when my coolant temp sensor died.

Could be one of so many things, but those symptoms are the same as I got when my coolant temp sensor died.

thanks for the speedy reply. it appears that the nearest skoda dealer is in camberly - about 7 miles away.

Is it ok to drive with the light flashing? Like I said, it feels ok

I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be, but be warned it may not have full power or revs available.

I can't see any reason why it wouldn't be, but be warned it may not have full power or revs available.

just been out to have a drive, but decided not to.

The light is now off, but something if def not correct. the idle (althought the rev counter is constant) is lumpy - i can feel it in the car.

Listening the to exhaust, there's a very rythmic sound (almost like the chuff of a steam train). Also id say there's a different smell to the exhaust (not that i'm an expert on that) it doesn't really smell of petrol though...

does that sound like a coilpack?

(obv I know a coil pack doesn't make a sound......)

I've had a couple of coil packs go, when the car rev's over about 2k it would start to splutter and on tick over it didn't sound right.

Replaced a faulty pack and then all was fine, i keep one in the boot with me now at all times

Sounds very much like a coil pack, most Skoda, Audi and VW garage should be able to provide spares. It is a common 1.8T fault as I'm sure you know :(

Sounds very much like a coil pack, most Skoda, Audi and VW garage should be able to provide spares. It is a common 1.8T fault as I'm sure you know :(

unfortunately i've no tools with me....

going to get the car relayed home - hell it's what i pay it for...

Sounds very much like a coil pack, most Skoda, Audi and VW garage should be able to provide spares. It is a common 1.8T fault as I'm sure you know :(

MIs fire on cylinder 3 - at least it's a (relatively) cheap fix