# Audi A3 Piston Misfire?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-piston-misfire/33101>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** audi, a3\
**Created:** [July 9, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-piston-misfire/33101 "2009-07-09T02:25:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![audifrown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@audifrown](https://community.cartalk.com/u/audifrown)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-piston-misfire/33101/1 "2009-07-09T02:25:57Z")

</div>

My beloved Audi A3 3.0L with automatic transmission has developed a problem when upshifting. I seems to have a problem getting into gear and almost lunges and stutters then the check engine light comes on. It only seems to happen when I give it extra gas from a lower gear. My dealer characterized it as a piston misfiring and has changed two valves, but after three visits it is still not fixed. I can reproduce the problem pretty easily, but don’t know enough about cars to diagnose it. Any ideas would be appreciated.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 5:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-piston-misfire/33101/2 "2009-07-09T05:36:39Z")

</div>

There may be some misinterpretation going on between you and the dealer as it is impossible for a piston to misfire.

There’s not enough info provided to be in the ballpark about what’s going on.  
Replacing 2 valves denotes engine damage and short of a prior broken timing belt problem or extremely high mileage valve/cylinder head damage is rare.

I would advise getting a local parts house (AutoZone, O’Reillys, Advance, Checkers, etc.) to scan the car for codes. It only takes a few minutes and they will do this for you free. Post the results back here for discussion.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mrbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@mrbean](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mrbean)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 12:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-piston-misfire/33101/3 "2009-07-09T12:25:31Z")

</div>

I think you should get a second opinion from another dealer.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![genex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/898d66/32.png) [@genex](https://community.cartalk.com/u/genex)\
**Post date:** [July 9, 2009, 2:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/audi-a3-piston-misfire/33101/4 "2009-07-09T14:55:46Z")

</div>

Try some more specialized forums .  
Audiworld  
or  
VWvortex

Vortex covers every VW vehicle .