My S3's taken up smoking
Discussion
My S3's going nuts.
Just had a full service with cam belt (£605!! though Audi wanted £880) from Awesome GTi VAG specialists in Manchester. They were very helpful indeed and even let me come in much before opening time as I had to get to work. My only gripe was the L reg VW Vento that they gave me as a courtesy car. It worked, just!
Anyway. I have the 210 version of the S3 and about a week ago on startup the engine struggled to turn over (as if the battery wasn't strong enough) then when it did start, threw out a plume of black smoke and idled roughly and too high. This only carried on for about a minute then it was perfectly normal again. This has happened about 3 times in the space of 12 days.
Anyone able to shed some light on the situation before I take it to the doctors?
I've been told it's overfuelling somewhere down the line hence the smoke, but that's about as far as i've got.
Just had a full service with cam belt (£605!! though Audi wanted £880) from Awesome GTi VAG specialists in Manchester. They were very helpful indeed and even let me come in much before opening time as I had to get to work. My only gripe was the L reg VW Vento that they gave me as a courtesy car. It worked, just!
Anyway. I have the 210 version of the S3 and about a week ago on startup the engine struggled to turn over (as if the battery wasn't strong enough) then when it did start, threw out a plume of black smoke and idled roughly and too high. This only carried on for about a minute then it was perfectly normal again. This has happened about 3 times in the space of 12 days.
Anyone able to shed some light on the situation before I take it to the doctors?
I've been told it's overfuelling somewhere down the line hence the smoke, but that's about as far as i've got.
Doesn't sound like anything common and I've spent a fair amount of time reading about these cars as mines had pretty much every fault possible.
It could be something to do with the ignition system, I had a coil pack fail just after a service which was nice. The only time my S3 has ever struggled to start is when it was trying to run on 2 1/2 cylinders or when the battery has been flat (tip - don't leave the main interior lights on over night).
It could be something to do with the ignition system, I had a coil pack fail just after a service which was nice. The only time my S3 has ever struggled to start is when it was trying to run on 2 1/2 cylinders or when the battery has been flat (tip - don't leave the main interior lights on over night).
I've been onto an Awesome GTi...
One thing i've forgot to mention - the engine coolant temp sensor is playing up. It's cooming on every other journey or so, but there's nothing wrong with the coolant.
The mechanic seems to think it could be this, as it's occasionally thinking the engine is cold when it's not, therefore overfuelling it.
I've got to take it in because knowing my luck it won't start on the coldest morning in history when i'm already late for work!
One thing i've forgot to mention - the engine coolant temp sensor is playing up. It's cooming on every other journey or so, but there's nothing wrong with the coolant.
The mechanic seems to think it could be this, as it's occasionally thinking the engine is cold when it's not, therefore overfuelling it.
I've got to take it in because knowing my luck it won't start on the coldest morning in history when i'm already late for work!
If it's the three beeps (and coolant low symbol) just after you start it up on a cold morning, then that's the level sensor playing up in the tank (lots of them do that) nothing to do with fueling etc although it might be worth checking the temp sensor on the side of the engine as there was a revised later one. you can find more details on what to look for and how to sort it yourself on www.wak-tt.com
Sounds like the coolant temp sensor to me. Had simialr on my 1.8T Golf. When they go wrong it causes all manner of funny stuff to happen.
About 20 notes from VAG and a doddle to fit when cold. I know where the sensor is on a Golf but not an S3 ( Golf it sits between the airbox and cylinder head )
HTH
About 20 notes from VAG and a doddle to fit when cold. I know where the sensor is on a Golf but not an S3 ( Golf it sits between the airbox and cylinder head )
HTH
Scoop940 said:
Sounds like the coolant temp sensor to me. Had simialr on my 1.8T Golf. When they go wrong it causes all manner of funny stuff to happen.
About 20 notes from VAG and a doddle to fit when cold. I know where the sensor is on a Golf but not an S3 ( Golf it sits between the airbox and cylinder head )
HTH
About 20 notes from VAG and a doddle to fit when cold. I know where the sensor is on a Golf but not an S3 ( Golf it sits between the airbox and cylinder head )
HTH
Mate are you saying it's easy to fit the sensor??? I've not really delved under the bonnet other than to say "Ooooh look, it says turbo".
That'll save me about £40 if I can fit it myself!
Should be ok to do yourself
1. Let engine cool.
2. Open filler cap.
3. Siphon all coolant in overflow tank into a clean container
4. Remove connector from coolant level sensor
5. Remove fan shroud fasteners
6. Unscrew coolant level sensor
7. Lift up on overflow tank to get enough room to remove level sensor.
8. Put in the new level sensor
9. Put overflow tank, fan shroud back in place, and replace fasteners.
10. Hook up connector to level sensor
11. Pour saved coolant back into tank
12. Start engine and bleed cooling system, just in case.
13. Top off coolant
14. Replace cap
Done.
You might not have to remove the fan shroud unless you have to free the overflow tank. There's probably a better way. You may not have to bleed the cooling system, but it's easy to do, and doesn't cost anything...
Hope this helps...
1. Let engine cool.
2. Open filler cap.
3. Siphon all coolant in overflow tank into a clean container
4. Remove connector from coolant level sensor
5. Remove fan shroud fasteners
6. Unscrew coolant level sensor
7. Lift up on overflow tank to get enough room to remove level sensor.
8. Put in the new level sensor
9. Put overflow tank, fan shroud back in place, and replace fasteners.
10. Hook up connector to level sensor
11. Pour saved coolant back into tank
12. Start engine and bleed cooling system, just in case.
13. Top off coolant
14. Replace cap
Done.
You might not have to remove the fan shroud unless you have to free the overflow tank. There's probably a better way. You may not have to bleed the cooling system, but it's easy to do, and doesn't cost anything...
Hope this helps...
seimech said:
Should be ok to do yourself
1. Let engine cool.
2. Open filler cap.
3. Siphon all coolant in overflow tank into a clean container
4. Remove connector from coolant level sensor
5. Remove fan shroud fasteners
6. Unscrew coolant level sensor
7. Lift up on overflow tank to get enough room to remove level sensor.
8. Put in the new level sensor
9. Put overflow tank, fan shroud back in place, and replace fasteners.
10. Hook up connector to level sensor
11. Pour saved coolant back into tank
12. Start engine and bleed cooling system, just in case.
13. Top off coolant
14. Replace cap
Done.
You might not have to remove the fan shroud unless you have to free the overflow tank. There's probably a better way. You may not have to bleed the cooling system, but it's easy to do, and doesn't cost anything...
Hope this helps...
1. Let engine cool.
2. Open filler cap.
3. Siphon all coolant in overflow tank into a clean container
4. Remove connector from coolant level sensor
5. Remove fan shroud fasteners
6. Unscrew coolant level sensor
7. Lift up on overflow tank to get enough room to remove level sensor.
8. Put in the new level sensor
9. Put overflow tank, fan shroud back in place, and replace fasteners.
10. Hook up connector to level sensor
11. Pour saved coolant back into tank
12. Start engine and bleed cooling system, just in case.
13. Top off coolant
14. Replace cap
Done.
You might not have to remove the fan shroud unless you have to free the overflow tank. There's probably a better way. You may not have to bleed the cooling system, but it's easy to do, and doesn't cost anything...
Hope this helps...
You don't need to do any of that scary stuff, when the garage does it, they will just leave everything as it is and swap the sensor - it's also described well here www.wak-tt.com/tempsensor/tempsensor.htm the other poster is correct it's in the same place on the golf / TT / S3.
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