Well, coil packs of which there is one for each spark plug on the Audi
1.8, are not "serviceable" items so it is difficult to know what you
can expect a service technician to have done.  If they are working when
the car is serviced then there is nothing that can be done to check
whether or not one is about to fail.

There is a reported history of these coil packs failing on Audi engines
(Google will help you here), presumably because the embedded
electronics break down after time in the very hostile vibration and
temperature environment.  They are not highly expensive or difficult to
replace; just plug in a new one.  Usually just one out of the 4 fails
causing an engine misfire, but if it has just happened you might think
it prudent to replace all 4 at the same time (much like replacing all 4
spark plugs).  If the service station does it for you they will charge
you for their labour time, of course, which probably won't be cheap.

My only suggestion for something you might check for yourself is that
*if* your spark plugs were replaced at the service, you could look to
see if the coil packs were re-seated properly and still make a good
electrical connection.  I don't think, however, that a poor connection
is a likely cause; much more likely is a coil pack failure.

I think that year was subject to a recall for defective ignition coils.
Also, watch out for the oil sludge problem in the 1.8T. Timing belt should
also
be changed around your mileage.

i purchased and a4 '04 in june and every month i have to replace a coi
and on top of that my coolant was leaking fluid.  i had them fix it bu
they did not change the timing belt so car is still leaking and agai
the engine light is one and car is shaking so i know there is anothe
coil problem again.  how can i permanenlty fix my car??  should i b
going to the better business bureau or ministry?  at least th
dealership are fixing these problems for me but it;s a pain in the rear
please help

--
'04_A

1.8 engine, i replaced the ciols - all four and now the car is okay bu
there is still a leak.  not internal but external.  i was told that i
may be the head gasket but that is not covered in my warranty.  jus
engine and transmission.  coolant leak is getting worse and the deale
wants me to pay audi to inspect the problem.  since i didnt get i
directly from audi and a smaller dealer, i am stuck with this issue.
any ideas on how i can argue this?  this is ridiculous....since i got m
care in june i've had nothing but problems

--
'04_A

Coils can be physically cracked or damaged by dropping, rough handlin
like excess side flexing and prying with incorrect tools when attemptin
to remove, by the destructive water penetration that Audi's Coilpack TS
refered to, etc.

I just changed spark plugs on a 3.0 and noticed half the coilpacks an
related spark plugs had surface rust suggesting water was getting pas
the rubber moisture seal while the other coilpacks looked brand new.
Time will tell which coilpack(s) fail first

--
K04-S