A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum!

[spiderserie4]

(..only people of a certain vintage will know where this title is taken from!)

Anyway, I was driving along happily in the spider (Bosch Motronic) and suddenly she lost all power, and would only crawl along to the next parking space.
Oh no, I thought, how much will that be?....another weeks wage!

In fact it turned out to be the air intake pipe from the airfilter box to the induction plenum (going over the head) had come loose and slipped off one end. I was amazed this could have such a drastic effect, obviously due to the airflow meter.

Tightened it back on and she worked fine again......so i am thinking a split in this pipe would also haver a similar effect, if not quite as drastic...just thought to let you know in case you come across the same problem..check the big (expensive) air intake pipe is not split somewhere!

[jimmyjam]

Had the same thing happen in my S4 a few years ago. I didn't notice that it had come off so spent an hour on M3 waiting for RAC

[renone]

One of the common problems on smooth running with the S4 is this pipe. Over time the flexible part becomes hard and cracks form which are hard to see unless you remove the pipe and bend it by hand. Also the clips come loose and let unmeasured air in. (a drop of thread lock fixes that). Another cause of hardening is the lack of a heat shield over the manifold.
Best thing is to replace the pipe if you think its still the original one because its almost guaranteed to be on its last legs.

[GJ]

Originally Posted by spiderserie4

(..only people of a certain vintage will know where this title is taken from!)

That'd be me then

Originally Posted by spiderserie4

check the big (expensive) air intake pipe is not split somewhere!

Thanks for the info.... I'll check mine

[classicgal93]

It cost me $100 bucks for a new air intake pipe and a lot more $$ for the new catalytic converter that burned out because of it. My 94 Spider started lagging at 3100rpm and failed aircare, that was its symptoms. Turned out the end where the clip fastens it to the other pipe had cracked and separated.

All fixed up now, runs like a top again