(Another) Problem - 1999 A6 4.2 Quattro

[gmarks1]

In the last few days, our A6 4.2 Sport Quattro has developed a fault - above around 5,500 rpm under hard acceleration, the car starts to hesitate and acceleration becomes jerky - the ABS and traction control warning lights come on, and stay on. Most of the time the car is fine - only tends to happen when I'm 'pressing on'.

I'm thinking ABS sensor fault - anyone suffered similar problems before I take it for diagnostics?

Many thanks,

Gary

[SJobson]

Yes, this is caused by the air mass meter failing. You can get an exchange part for less too, though I think it's about £100 compared to £150 if you don't do an exchange.

It's bizarre how it affects the ESP, ABS etc but these symptoms were explained to me by The Auto Pool in Iver, when they said that there were fault codes being brought up on the ECU of my 2000 S6 (without any apparent fault with the air mass meter or the way the car drives). Lo and behold, a week later it actually started to stutter and flash its ESP light at me as I revved it. Quick trip to get it replaced and all is well.

Just to add - diagnostics do not show the air mass meter as going even when it is doing this. The fault codes say there are other things which have gone wrong. Don't be fooled, or waste time and money investigating the wrong thing.

>> Edited by SJobson on Wednesday 5th October 21:20

[gmarks1]

Thanks for this information - certainly sounds like the same fault - the car is due for a service shortly anyway ,so I will get our local independant to check the air mass meter.

How are you finding the S6 - the A6 is a lovely car, but I'm finding it expensive to run (not least because I've recently had to have the cambelt changed)

Thanks for the info - much appreciated.

Gary

[SJobson]

Bought mine 18 months ago at 79,000 miles so the cambelt was done just before I picked it up. Still cost a fair bit to service - had new rear lower arms (the bushes are captive unlike on normal A6s; I suspect the 4.2 is the same - consequence is that the bushes can't be pushed out but the whole arms can be replaced and there's much less labour so it's no more expensive than just the bushes would be).

Fuel consumption and oil consumption are high, but I adore it. Considering selling for something cheaper to run, but there's nothing like it for the money.

[funinthesun]

just bought a 4.2 quattro, and its an absolute revelation.. have had audis for years but this is somehting else, smooth , comfortable, quiet..

anyway, any good recommendaitons for an engine oil to use?

thanks..

[SJobson]

I switched from the v.v.v. expensive Castrol SLX-II longlife stuff to Shell Helix semi-synth (because my S6 was using oil, and for 2 reasons: it's cheaper to keep topping up and it's a bit thicker so I hoped it would use less). Sadly it doesn't use any less and it's bloody hard to find, so I'd suggest using something proper like Mobil 1, then change it more often than every 20k miles.

[mojocvh]

Just to add - diagnostics do not show the air mass meter as going even when it is doing this. The fault codes say there are other things which have gone wrong. Don't be fooled, or waste time and money investigating the wrong thing.

100% spot on.

MoJo.

[gmarks1]

Thanks all - car is booked in for Wednesday - advised the garage that air flow meter may be at fault - they also mentioned coils can cause this problem - will let you know the outcome .....but it's getting worse everyday!

[gmarks1]

And the fault was......................









air mass meter!

Thanks guys - spot on with the advice - replaced with a genuine Audi air flow meter (only £85+VAT) - runs perfectly now.

Sure you've saved me some money on diagnostics at the garage - much appreciated.

Regards, Gary