[V8] it wouldn't be an Audi if...

[Dave Saad]

something didn't go wrong on a simple little road trip.
I got to take my normally garaged V8 out for a spin today and overall it ran great. The total trip was about 80 miles and included the very fun Horse Shoe Bend Hill - which is a long steep grade that the V8 loves to fly up.  It easily did it in 5th gear with power to spare, and mileage appears to be very good. The problem was that I stopped about 15 minutes after the hill climb to do a little shopping for a graduation gift. As we pulled into the parking lot my wife noticed the smoke coming from under the hood. I think this is only a small oil leak that of course drips onto the exhaust.  I have not yet found the leak and in fact the motor appears to be very clean and dry with very few minor exceptions. I think this is only an embarrassment at this point - no major problem or cost involved - it just makes my wife not like the car. Nothing new there. The problem though is when I left the store, the engine stumbled a little as I pulled out into fast moving traffic. The store is on a 60MPH highway and you need to pull out and get moving fast. At the next stop light I noticed that when I "blip" the throttle, the tach initially drops to about 200RPM and then takes off like normal. Power seemed to be lagging a little -  it came on eventually but there was an uncomfortable delay. Earlier in the trip I did not notice this. I am thinking it may be heat related.
I do recall the check engine light flashing on briefly a few weeks ago but it went away and I never bothered to read the codes out.
So - enough rambling - does this symptom ring a bell for anyone?

Dave