Audi P0301

Cylinder 1 misfire on Audi — coil pack, injector or carbon-build-up on direct-injection EA888.

Audi P0301 — Cylinder 1 misfire on Audi — coil pack, injector or carbon-build-up on direct-injection EA888. Typical UK independent garage cost: £60–£480.

What actually causes P0301 on a Audi

Audi P0301 on EA888 is most commonly a failed coil pack on cylinder 1 — they fail one at a time and the symptom is a shake at idle. On higher-mileage cars, carbon build-up on intake valves (direct injection, no port fuel wash) causes lean misfires that show as P0301. Less commonly, a sticking injector.

Audi engines that log P0301

• 2.0 TFSI EA888 (A3, A4, A5, Q5, TT)
• 1.8 TFSI EA888
• 2.0 TFSI EA113

How we diagnose P0301 on a Audi

1. Swap coil pack from cylinder 1 to another cylinder, clear codes, re-test
2. Check spark plug condition and gap (NGK or OEM spec)
3. VCDS: read misfire counter per cylinder
4. Compression and leak-down test if coil/plug excluded
5. Walnut blast intake valves if carbon-related misfire (high-mileage DI engines)

The common misdiagnosis to avoid

Always swap coil packs cylinder-to-cylinder as a diagnostic step — if the misfire follows the coil to a different cylinder, you've confirmed the fault without parts thrown at it.

Audi P0301 repair cost in the UK

Expect £60–£480 including parts and labour at an independent garage. Main-dealer quotes on Audi are usually higher for the same job, and the spread exists because the cheap cause and the expensive cause throw the same code — pay for the diagnosis before you pay for parts.

Bob's workshop tip

EA888 owners over 80k who've never had a walnut blast often see P0301-P0304 wandering between cylinders — a £350 carbon clean restores the engine to factory feel.

Codes usually seen alongside P0301 on Audi

• P0300
• P0302
• P0303
• P0304

Symptoms drivers report with P0301

• Engine 'juddering' like a wet dog when you try to overtake on the A9.
• The car 'kangaroos' at low speeds, especially when the engine is stone cold.
• The EML (Engine Management Light) is flashing at you—that's a 'stop now' warning for your catalytic converter.
• A distinct 'put-put-put' sound from the exhaust pipe at idle.
• Massive loss of power, feels like you're towing a caravan that isn't there.

Repairs that clear P0301

• Replace spark plug
• Swap coil pack
• Injector test
• Compression test

For the generic, all-makes explanation of this code — meaning, every known cause and UK cost bands — see our P0301 guide.