Why does my car stall sometimes at start up? It’s usually after the car wash

Hi! this is Bo with Car Genius at RepairPal! There could be a bunch of reasons why your A7 stalls at startup, especially after a car wash, and why you might smell gas during startup. One reason and my favorite assumption; moisture-related issues. After a car wash, moisture can get into electrical components potentially causing stalling if key components like the ignition system are affected. Fuel system issues are another reason you're getting the stall/gas smell. The smell of gas could indicate a problem with the fuel system. A bad fuel pressure regulator can cause the engine to run too rich or too lean, which might result in stalling. If the smell improves with a fuel injector cleaner, it could suggest that the injectors were clogged or not working efficiently. Also, in these cars the intakes can get really obstructed by excess carbon. There is a special tool that blasts the intake with a blasting media that cleans the excess carbon out of the intake. This wouldn't play into thestall after being introduced to water. If you have any other questions feel free to give us a call at 877-913-1554! We'll be happy to help or find you a certified shop in your area!