just started the engine and gettin' ready to pull out when the engine just died. always did the 20 second warm-up of idling, but just when about to pull put, the engine died. Needed to restart and the engine was fine, but it would stop when idling sometimes. Went to change the timing belt but didn't fix the prob (the belt needed changing already anyhow).

I am thinking spark plugs (how do i check them myself?), the sparkplug wires, or the fuel injectors... Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Run a couple bottles of Techron fuel system cleaner, replace the spark plugs, and clean the ISV. The spark plugs are $6/each or so (Bosch replacement), but if they haven't been done in the past 30-45k, it's time to do them anyway.

conditioning?

I had a problem where my car died as soon at it was :

1. Warmed up a little bit.
2. Not in gear (automatic).
3. Air conditioning off.

I hadn't tightened the air intake plenum bolts quite tight enough. While I was flushing my antifreeze the car started to die at idle. I just turned on the air conditioning. For a day or so I jsut made sure to leave the air conditioning on.

The solution was to loosen the air intake plenum bolts, firmly pull forward on the air intake plenum and tighten the bolts. Problem solved.

I assume there was a small amount of air getting in at the plenum to intake manifold "interface".

Don't forget there isn't any way to set the idle on my car at least. (1997 A6 2.8 12v)

Has this only happened once? Maybe you can try some things and give more symptoms. I'd do what Muhammad suggests too. Some of the guys reccomend NGK plugs over the Bosch. I'm running the Bosch Platinum 4 prong, original plugs are likly NGK three prong. Whatever, get new ones and look at the old ones for symptoms. The NGK website has a lot of good pictures that may give you some clues after you look at the old plugs (pictures of yours).

Both the Bosch and NGK sites have selector guides you can use rather than trusting "whatever" kind of help you get at the parts store.

Do you need help changing your spark plugs?

And i'll do what Muhammad suggests... except I thought that the 12v V6 doesn't really have an ISV, it's actually the K-Jetronic thing being discussed in the Misc Forum?

http://forums.audiworld.com/general/msgs/18266.phtml


The a/c compressor is actually disconnected until i can find a clutch for it... but it's been disconnected for quite a while now, so that's not the culprit.

Also, the engine actually dies on me (in gear, auto tranny) if I don't keep the throttle at about 2500rpm for about 10 seconds in park/neutral to 'warm-up' the engine, even if it was just driven. After the initial 'warm-up' the engine, the car idles fine, even in park. It's just the start-up period that's making the engine stall.

Any more comments? TIA.

ISV, Idle Stabilization Valve. I believe it's a matter of semantics but if you search your Bentley Service manual ISV is nowhere to be found. That may be a 90/A4 term. The message you linked to concerns the K-Jetronic fuel injection system. Our fuel injection is far beyond that level of technology, I think it's called the "Motronic Fuel Injection and Ignition System". ;-)

As far as your plugs, if you are a competent mechanic you shouldn't have a problem. I do have a draft spark plug change procedure if you would like to critique it for me. Please? Please?

So i should basically follow Muhammad's suggestions... but would this Motronic Fuel Injection and Ignition System (that's a big mouthful) cause what I am experiencing?

The whole start-up and stall, need to give some gas to make the car idle right, then idle fine symptom.

If not, go <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html" target="_top">here</a> to download and install the free reader.

I assume ramius17@hotmail.com is a good e-mail address?

I'll have the spark plug procedure done tonight, actually in good enough shape to get some feedback from you. Since I developed the procedure on a '97 A6 12v there may be some differences.

I'm working on the IAC valve procedure too.

PDF files are totally fine for me and my email is ramius17@hotmail.com good guess!

I am on the East Coast, so I'll be turning in now, but I'll be looking forward to looking at your guides tomorrow.

Once again, thank you so much. Never knew there are such nice people out there! hehe.

Oh yah, my name is Jack... think I need to put that on my signature or get a new alias...