Fuel Too Lean

[michaelhofastcar]

Check Engine Light On for about a year. Pull out the code, saying "Long-term Fuel Too Lean".
Changed both O2 sensors, replaced a leaky vacuum line, engine code still come back "Fuel Too Lean".
Any suggestions?

2000 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro

[vdubjunkie37]

If you have no vacuum leaks, I would guess a mass air flow. But that is only a guess, with out seeing the car I can't say 100%.

[98a4]

I refuse to help if you leave a CEL on for a year... let alone one reading about the car running Lean!

[Straz85]

Yeah a year is a LONG time for a CEL to be on not know why. Plus running lean is dangerous...

I would say most likely a MAF sensor.

[michaelhofastcar]

Thanks for all of your suggestion on Mass Air Flow.
Three different mechanics were trying to figure out what's wrong during this past year. Nobody gave me a definite answer. Sorry, I know I have procrastinated too long to tackle this problem. Apparently my car is running fine all along, giving me an excuse to ignore the CEL.

[98a4]

Originally Posted by michaelhofastcar

Thanks for all of your suggestion on Mass Air Flow.
Three different mechanics were trying to figure out what's wrong during this past year. Nobody gave me a definite answer. Sorry, I know I have procrastinated too long to tackle this problem. Apparently my car is running fine all along, giving me an excuse to ignore the CEL.

No excuse in the world is good for a years time. Running fine? just because it drove doesnt mean it was fine. And after a year the car was hurting itself the entire time slowly...Best of luck, I wouldnt guess the maf personally, there are many symptoms that come along with a bad maf, you dont have enough to convince me. What gas do you run btw?

[Straz85]

Originally Posted by michaelhofastcar

Thanks for all of your suggestion on Mass Air Flow.
Three different mechanics were trying to figure out what's wrong during this past year. Nobody gave me a definite answer. Sorry, I know I have procrastinated too long to tackle this problem. Apparently my car is running fine all along, giving me an excuse to ignore the CEL.

Did you go to a VW mechanic or did you take it to some no name general mechanic? Don't take it to one of those, they don't know crap, go to a VW place.

[michaelhofastcar]

I routine use Octane 93. Besides a little unsettling during idling once in a while, there are no other symptoms from my car. One of those mechanic shops specialize in VW in Quincy MA.

[Straz85]

My first thought was MAF sensor, and a quick search of audiworld returned several bad MAF posts when I searched for "Long-term Fuel Too Lean". It's probably the most common thing to break on 1.8T's. If it were me I would give that a shot, it's extremely easy to replace, takes about 3 minutes, just 2 screws and 1 plus. You can order a new one from www.ecstuning.com.

Edit: Is that code P1128? That's what code my car was throwing when I needed a new MAF.