Lets get down to maintenance:

In this forum everybody talks about tuning the engine and getting more power but no one have talked about the "must do's " before you tune the ECU / engine . If the engine has more than 30k mile on it will need to do some maintance before you tune it other wise you will have tuning isues. One of the big problems people run into is misfiring after a STG 1 software install. You need to make sure you have GOOD coils and new spark plugs that have been gapped to 0.28". If you dont gap the plugs you have misfiring later on or even boost spiking all because of crappy spark. The other thing is the fueling. Make sure the fuel filter is New and not from Autozone , NAPA , Pepboys , Ebay, ect . Spend the cash and get one from the dealer or from a reputale shop. I have read a lot of post in this forum that states the engine does not run correctly after tuning the Ecu and half the issues was the genral maintenance had not been done for a long time. Think about . If have all of the maintenance done you will have a lot less headaches when you are tuning the engine and in half of the time

The maintenance that should be done before tuning

FUEL SUPPLY :
 
1.  replace the fuel filter
2. you might want to replace the fuel pump if older than 100k miles
3. fuel pressure regulator checking /  or just replace it
4.  OR... just buy a better and bigger fuel pump and be done with it
5. Oxygen sensors old ? do they have over 100k on them ? replace the front O2 sensors

BOOST TUBING / HOSES / TURBO AREA

1. check all of the hose and clamps for loosnes and cracks
2. Deverter valve old ? replace it ..upgrade it.
3  N75  valve over 100k miles on it ??  replace it !. it will start to fail soon. and DONT get the race N75 valve from ECS TUNING .. it is crap
4. check all vacuum hoses to N75 and to the waste gate.

INTAKE MANIFOLD AREA

1. check for old looking vacuum hoses and replace.
2. PCV area oil soaked ? replace every thing or MOD it to work better. DO NOT BLOCK IT OFF !
3. throttle body clean ? clean the inside of it .\
4. do you have a 2.0T ? go clean your intake valves !
5. 2.0t owners get ready to have crank case ventlation problem in the future


AIR FILTER & AREA

1.  Get a new air filter
2.  If it is a K&N filter and it has been a year since you cleaned it .. then clean it and let it dry for a few hours
3.  check the turbo inlet hose from the filter to turbo for leaks / cracks and weakness
4.  How old is the MAF ? over 100k on it. It will give you problems soon.  Just stop whining and buy a NEW one.... NOT FROM EBAY


IGNITION SYSTEM

1. stop being cheap and go get new coils  ..NOT FROM EBAY FOOL !
2. If you have the push in style coils then get the R8 coils for upgrades (  the long red tops )
3. buy GOOD QUALITY spark plugs ...DO NOT GET CHAMPIANS !
4. Look for oil in the spark plug tubes . the oil will short out the coils and plugs.. you have to do valve cover gaskets if there is oil
5. If you still have Ignition modules... you might want to remove them and apply new heat paste on the heat sinks... or do the conversion


OIL SYSTEM

1. Change the oil with quality oil and filter. synthetic is prefered
2. look for oil leaks and fix them.


TIMING BELT

1. when was the last time it was replaced ??  If belt has over 85k miles on it ....get off your ass and replace it.
2. Cam shaft corrolation to crank shaft addaptation needs to be less than 5kw in block 93 in the MVB with VAG-COM


EXHAUST SYSTEM

1. has it been hacked up and restricting ?
2. is the cat ( catylitic converter )  clogged ?
3. just fix it .  If it looks real old or crappy get a new exhaust ... This is the only time I will say '' OK WITH EBAY ''. but  remember ....you get what you pay for ...               



 please remember this .. Poor quality lingers long after the cheap price is forgotten



Lee