Sound like a coil pack failure?

[Matt2134]

Morning.

 

Yesterday, unbelievably whilst during a prospective buyer's test drive, My TFSI VRS failed.

 

It has been perfect up until that point and the failure was untriggered by any driving etc.

 

Power dropped to limp mode, engine management light came on, EPC light came on, and the car just about limped home.  Now when the car starts, the lights don't necessarily come on immediately, but within a minute or so, but in any case the engine seems to be moving more than usual (lateral motion on the block), the car is vibrating some, and the revs at idle are uneven.  There is a fumey smell as I run the car.  When I put some revs on, it smooths out, at least to the ear, although I haven't tried moving it again.

 

 

I know it needs a VCDS scan to check, but in the absence of that being available today, I wondered if a bit of armchair diagnosis from the site would back up my hunch?  

 

If it is a coil pack, I have two other questions - am I right in assuming a 2010 car is way outside of the coil pack replacement campaign?  Also, is there any value to replacing all 4 packs, rather than just the faulty one?

 

Thanks very much.

 

Matt

[Matt2134]

anyone?  

[Matt2134]

Cheers Mike, I'm going to get it plugged in tomorrow, so fingers crossed its nothing more serious!

 

[Aspman]

I'd phone the dealer about the coil packs, I think it was in the middle of the TFSI run. My 2007 didn't need them.

 

If it is just a 'normal' coil failure I don't see why you'd need to replace them all. A more mechanically minded posted might know better.

[Borders]

Sounds very same symptons as when my rs went into limp mode , we thought it was coil pack , but it turned out to be a duff no1 injector . Don't think the coil packs cause so many problems now , it was mainly on early vrs around 2006/07 . Hope that helps .

[Stu vRS]

Your symptoms are near identical to what mine were.

I had a coilpack go and it was very obviously something either amiss with a coil or spark. Easily identifiably as running on 3 cylinders. As above, eml light and emissions. Also must have put dsg into limp as well because that took an age to change gear, even when manually commanded to do so.

Ended up replacing one faulty coil pack with 4 brand new red r8 coil packs, as it was much better value than getting one coil pack from dealers or TPS.

Also did the spark plugs whilst in there, BKR7EIX.

Ran sweet as a nut since.

I've read stories about one coil going and others following shortly afterwards, hence the complete replacement. Not sure if there is any truth behind this but it doesn't hurt to replace the lot and keep some in boot as spares to get you home.

Edit: if your car is an FL like in your picture you have the 2.0tsi not tfsi, different engine. Same coilpacks I believe, but just search for red r8 coilpacks, you can get 4 for £70 to £80 delivered, as opposed to the £50ish dealers want for one!

Edit 2: If you need a coilpack cheap just to test it out I can send you one in the post for not much expense.

Apologies for any poor grammar, it's late at night and I'm typing on the phone!

[Matt2134]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your replies, and especially stu's kind offer.

Speculatively I picked up a cheap coil pack as the car was in limp mode and I'm miles from a garage. Trial and error found that coil pack WAS my problem on cylinder 2, quick change and the car is running perfectly again.

I hadn't intended a cheap replacement part, but my dealer insisted the car wasn't part of the campaign, and didn't have one on the shelf to sell either. I think I will now replace at least the cheap new part with a decent one, if not the whole set, and keep the cheapy as a spare.

Like stu, I was a bit worried because the dsg box definitely doesn't respond as usual with a cylinder out, and I had fear of dsg failures, so I am now pretty relieved about the whole episode. Just a shame I lost my buyer!

Thanks for all your help

[Stu vRS]

Where did you get a cheap coilpack? I wasn't aware non OEM ones existed?

Like I said one proper coil is about £50 as opposed to £70 for 4 R8 coils. In my opinion I'd do the latter and then you have 3 spares at least.

Glad to hear you got it sorted though.

Edit: just seen you are selling the car, might not be worth replacing them all after all if it's running now, thought you were keeping it. Saying that if you replace the lot it's a good selling point I suppose.

[Matt2134]

it was just from Eurocarparts - about £24 I think.  I can't remember the manufacturer name, I'll try and have a look and post it.

[trundlenut]

I got mine for the Leon at Euro Car Parts. It's a few years ago but I'm certain they were Bosch parts, around £18-20 each.

Mike

I got a coilpack from ECP and I went for a Bosch one, they had some no name ones that were about £2 cheaper but I thought I would go for a known brand.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

[swany]

had same problem with my2011 Tsi, turned out to be a coil pack and injector. all changed now but car doesnt run as smooth or even pick up as quick feels like a flat spot. been at dealers twice who acknowlege its not right but because no warning lights are on they dont know where to start. told to keep running it till it breaks down again or warning lights come on

[Stu08]

My coilpacks failed about a year and a half ago; just after a stage 1 map. I used non-genuine ones.....................I'm now replacing them again with the red genuine ones from Awesome as they appear to be on their way out again.

 

I wouldn't recommend non-VAG ones!

[allen_octavia]

Replaced mine yesterday with audi r8 ones, £28 each from veedubmachine in pool(cornwall) but can deliver, mines run sweet as a nut now