15 K flashes -- DECLINED

[harrison]

Today I refused BOTH 24F3 Smog related ECU flash, and 91E3 updates. Can update anytime 'till 2016. Car runs fine. I don't want to JINX her. They kept my broken wheel for further inspection. Third brakelight gasket a little squeezed out so they prefer to change complete assembly at later date. FREE WASH !!! They seem to have washed all the wax off too. And some free cf keychains. All in all a VERY pleasant experience at Downtown L.A. Audi. Lots of questions and mucho Kudos. And yesterday while doing oil change , noticed two loose oil pan bolts. Not a big deal. 2 out of twenty two isn't bad. NO leaks anywhere. Just the way I like it.

[AnOutsider]

I plan to send mine in for some flashes before going SC. Did they have anything for the TCU Harry?

[toecutter]

Good choice on the 24F3. I had a smooth starting and running R8 until 24F3 and have had nothing but rough starts and 2 separate MIL lights because of lean condition. Dealer says it can't be reversed.

[harrison]

Do you mean Throttle Controll Unit? Sprint throttle helped that. The flash is related to an idle/emissions issue. R84ME will chime in soon.Today he had the Flash 24F3 REVERSED by Audi. Tomorrow we'll know for sure if R84ME is a happy camper again, with an idle as smooth as a babies' bumm. Again. I'll scan and post my paperwork if need be. R84ME will save the day.(I hope). A good smog man will be able to pass you without the 24F3. Mine did.(barely).

[SDR8]

... A good smog man will be able to pass you without the 24F3. Mine did.(barely).

Why did you smog your car? Aren't new cars exempt for the first four years, or did they discontinue that?

[harrison]

I purchased a pre-owned from Florida. Had to smog right away.That was back in 10-08. Car had 1800 miles when I purchased. A garage queen she was.

[R84ME]

Good choice on the 24F3. I had a smooth starting and running R8 until 24F3 and have had nothing but rough starts and 2 separate MIL lights because of lean condition. Dealer says it can't be reversed.

Before the 24F3 update, my engine would fire up and immediately assume a very smooth 1500 RPM cold-start idle for 30-45 sec.

After the 24F3 update, the engine would fire up, almost immediately drop to a stall, recover and then assume a rough 1500 RPM, cold-start idle as others have reported. I never experienced a "check engine" light.

I opened a case with AOA concerning the rough idle cold start-up after the 24F3 flash was installed at my first service back in November and suggested that the update was responsible. I provided several examples from others on R8TALK who reportedly experienced similar behavior after the update and requested that Audi remove the update from my car. Several weeks went by and shortly before the holidays, I received notification from the R8 Advocate Team that an update (to remove the 24F3 update) was coming from Germany and should be available early January. An Audi field service Tech Rep was dispatched to install it last week and I dropped off the car off Thursday. DID IT WORK?

I started the car Saturday AM (30 degrees) and, while the initial RPM drop was clearly absent, the fast idle was still a little rough. This morning, neither the initial RPM drop or rough idle were present so it looks like the original configuration has been restored. I'll continue to monitor.

As explained by the Audi Tech Rep, this update was released to address R8s failing the "simulated drive condition" part of some state's smog certification test. There is a documented problem with the original code NOT being able to maintain 2500 RPM for a simulated drive test (the RPMs just take off - try it, it's true). I wish they would have explained this to me BEFORE installing the update. HARRISON has first hand experience with this but managed to pass the inspection without the update.

I must say Audi was very responsive to my request and did address the problem at hand. The entire un-install/restore process was documented on my car and Audi will assess the situation and determine whether they think this cold start roughness is a problem or not.

BOTTOM LINE - I suggest you do not accept the update (as HARRISON did) unless you need to pass a simulated drive test for an emissions control check. Try to pass without the update first. If it fails, you can always have Audi load the update. Maybe a better update will be forthcoming from Audi.

[toecutter]

Thanks for the update. Please keep posting your experience. I emailed my service team the results you have and have been in touch with them about my issue. Idaho has no smog checks, no inspection, no nothing so I didn't need the update to begin with. My problem is my dealer is 3 hours away in Utah so I haven't been able to demonstrate the issue for them.

I have had no more MIL lights but I have started to rev the engine more during initial startup. Never had to do this in the past.

[harrison]

Toecutter, that's nasty on your engine, having to do that when cold.(some would differ) I stay OFF the throttles completely. I guess I just baby the engine 'till warm. Hopefully my engine rewards me with HOT performance.

[London Lad]

Sounds like they have made it really lean (too lean) at startup.