dxrustam

Sorry to hear about your troubles.
I had the EXACT same issue about 2 months ago.
I checked the coils, plugs etc etc. Took to it several mechanics.
I was told that it was the sparks, so I replaced those and that didn't help. Same thing with the coils.
Finally i was sick and tired of going from mechanic to mechanic, so i took it to Audi and was told that it was infact a vacuum leak.
They wanted $600 for it and it was done. For some reason, the mechanics i took it to were unable to identify the leak. Strange.
I reccomend getting it diagnosed at the dealer

jordon

iTrader: (1)

Generally a vacuum leak will give misfires across all cylinders, and often also a lean code. That is why I suggested a vacuum leak all the way back in the 5th post on this thread ;P

healthnutty

Yes, thank you for that suggestion! Of course that does make sense. I am surprised the mechanic scared me and jumped right to...."it is probably a computer problem."
I did just hear back from the audi dealership. I will post what they said in a minute.

healthnutty

Thank you for the post. Glad you got it figured out!

healthnutty

UPDATE from Audi dealer: OIL LEAKING FROM GASKETS GETTING INTO SPARK PLUGS FROM BORE AREA $920.71
FAULT CODES P0300 P0303 P0304 ( MISFIRE SPORADIC )

Description of Repair or Service Parts Labor Additional
SPARK PLUGS AND DIAGNOSIS $64.00 ($16.00 EACH) $270.00
VALVE COVER GASKET & CAM TENSIONER GASKET $44.10 $675.00
DISCOUNT PARTS AND LABOR -$21.62 -$210.00
Shop Supplies/Hazardous Waste: $39.00
Tax: $60.23

TOTAL: $920.71

Again, let me know if you have any input or suggestions. Are any of the above pretty easy to do myself? The previous mechanic charged me $290 for 4 new coils and labor. I now know how to change the coils and am amazed that I paid that much for them to do it. Luckily, the previous mechanic gave me 100% refund after he referred me to the audi dealer.

So any of the above jobs as easy to do as change coils? Also I have limited tools, but am willing to buy some if it will save me money.

Thank you again for all the help!

healthnutty

First number is the cost of the part, and second number is the cost of labor. Hope that helps. I guess forums don't like spaces.

healthnutty

I am beginning to think that this may not be the problem. I called the 1st mechanic and he told me that he did not see any oil, and that the spark plugs are brand new (i drove ~1 mile from 1st mechanic to dealer)! He told me that if that was the problem, he would have been able to fix it. He suggesting that Audi dealers are trying to get my money and completely disagrees with what they are saying and that it is not the cause of the problem. I actually watched the mechanic change the coils and the old coils looked clean. I did not watch him change the spark plugs but he said they too did not have oil on them.

What do you think?

I am actually going up to the dealer now and on the spot going to nicely ask them to show and explain the problem to me. I do not want to have to pay $900 and some to fix an oil leak that the first mechanic says doesnt exist...just to find out that the problem continues.

This is quite frustrating. Like the above posters have said..i may ask about a vacuum leak?? I just dont want them to get any ideas to fix things that I bring up. We will see!

jordon

iTrader: (1)

I had a leaking valve cover gasket (it was also getting on my plugs) but I did not get any misfires. Changed the gasket myself- took a little over an hour going slowly.
I do think it's possible your gasket is leaking, as that is a common issue, but ask to see the leak, and I still think your misfires are more likely a vacuum leak.

healthnutty

Ok, thank you. I will ask them what all they look at and considered. By the way, they said all would take about 6hrs! Is that even realistic? Sounds like a long time, especially after you saying you changed the gasket yourself in an hour. What do you think about the prices? Do you think there is a chance they are just trying to get my money without really trying to figure it out, and maybe even trying to benefit from the fact that I am clueless about cars and a young girl (maybe this is bad of me to say-I can pass as 18 but really 24 going to optometry school, so I am not dumb)?

jordon

iTrader: (1)

My feeling is, if there were enough oil leaking onto the plugs to cause misfires, the previous mechanic would have noticed it while changing the coils. I have an uneasy feeling about your dealership. I think I would be looking for a local independant shop that specializes in vw/Audi and ask them for a second opinion...
Good luck with everything!