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A4 1.8T buying advice please



 
 
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  #1  
Old August 3rd 04, 01:33 AM
Jon E
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Default A4 1.8T buying advice please

Hi all,

I'm interested in buying an A4 1.8T Avant and was wondering what to check
for. I've heard there is something like a timing belt to be changed around
100k, is this right? I'm in the uk and looking at spending 4000-5000, so
proabably a 1996 model.

Was there anything specific to watch for on the early ones?

Anything about them greatly appreciated.

Many TIA

Jon E


Ads
  #2  
Old August 3rd 04, 12:08 PM
Alec
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Default

"Jon E" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all,
>
> I'm interested in buying an A4 1.8T Avant and was wondering what to check
> for. I've heard there is something like a timing belt to be changed

around
> 100k, is this right? I'm in the uk and looking at spending 4000-5000, so
> proabably a 1996 model.
>
> Was there anything specific to watch for on the early ones?
>
> Anything about them greatly appreciated.
>
> Many TIA
>
> Jon E
>

Hi Jon. Timing belt change is advised no later that 80K miles. Just look for
the usual service history, that all the electrics and climate work and that
the front suspension moves smoothly and with NO noise when you bounce it.
Sounds expensive for a '96 ! Have a look on eBay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...61621 33&rd=1
Rgds
Alec


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  #3  
Old August 3rd 04, 04:03 PM
GravyCat
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Default


"Alec" > wrote in message
...
> "Jon E" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I'm interested in buying an A4 1.8T Avant and was wondering what to check
>> for. I've heard there is something like a timing belt to be changed

> around
>> 100k, is this right? I'm in the uk and looking at spending 4000-5000, so
>> proabably a 1996 model.
>>
>> Was there anything specific to watch for on the early ones?
>>
>> Anything about them greatly appreciated.
>>
>> Many TIA
>>
>> Jon E
>>

> Hi Jon. Timing belt change is advised no later that 80K miles. Just look
> for
> the usual service history, that all the electrics and climate work and
> that
> the front suspension moves smoothly and with NO noise when you bounce it.


Also, have a look in the cabin vents for telltale signs of coolant (pink
flakes). A heater core replacement is not fun or inexpensive.


  #4  
Old August 5th 04, 06:29 AM
Paul Anderson
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Default

Alec said the following on 03/08/2004 12:08:


> Hi Jon. Timing belt change is advised no later that 80K miles. Just look for
> the usual service history, that all the electrics and climate work and that
> the front suspension moves smoothly and with NO noise when you bounce it.

<snip>

Could you be more specific about the front suspension noise?

Paul.
  #5  
Old August 5th 04, 04:46 PM
Alec
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"Paul Anderson" > wrote in message
...
> Alec said the following on 03/08/2004 12:08:
>
>
> > Hi Jon. Timing belt change is advised no later that 80K miles. Just look

for
> > the usual service history, that all the electrics and climate work and

that
> > the front suspension moves smoothly and with NO noise when you bounce

it.
> <snip>
>
> Could you be more specific about the front suspension noise?
>
> Paul.

The wishbone front suspension on the A4, A6, A8 and Passat is prone to
failure of one or more of the seven ball-joints per side.
This shows as a creaking or groaning as you manoeuvre at low speed or very
gently bounce the front by hand. Cure is to replace the arm carrying the
ball-joint as they are not repairable. Until the symptoms get quite
pronounced it is hard to workout which joint is bad unless there is visible
damage.

Rgds
Alec


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  #6  
Old August 5th 04, 05:25 PM
Paul Anderson
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Alec said the following on 05/08/2004 16:46:


>
> The wishbone front suspension on the A4, A6, A8 and Passat is prone to
> failure of one or more of the seven ball-joints per side.
> This shows as a creaking or groaning as you manoeuvre at low speed or very
> gently bounce the front by hand. Cure is to replace the arm carrying the
> ball-joint as they are not repairable. Until the symptoms get quite
> pronounced it is hard to workout which joint is bad unless there is visible
> damage.
>
> Rgds
> Alec


Just making sure you were referring to the same problems I have had and not a new one I
didn't know about.

The front suspension problems you mention have so far cost me just under £1,000 (non Audi
garage). At the end of last summer the groaning started but as the weather turned colder
it totally disappeared. This summer it started again as the weather warmed up. I have been
having the arms/joints replaced one by one but each time the noise only reduces rather
than stopping completely. Every time it goes back in for another arm I think 'This will be
the last one' only to find it still creaks. Tomorrow it goes in for the replacement of the
last arm on the O/S (upper front). If it still groans after that I'll do a John Cleese on it!

Anyone reading this should seriously review any intentions they have of buying a 97-99
Audi A4/A6/A8. Don't think the fact that it has been recalled and had the problem joints
replaced gets you out of the woods. My A6 and my wife's A4 were both repaired under the
recall but both cars are now costing us a fortune replacing front suspension parts.

Paul.

  #7  
Old August 5th 04, 06:12 PM
Alec
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Default

"Paul Anderson" > wrote in message
...
> Alec said the following on 05/08/2004 16:46:
>
>
> >
> > The wishbone front suspension on the A4, A6, A8 and Passat is prone to
> > failure of one or more of the seven ball-joints per side.
> > This shows as a creaking or groaning as you manoeuvre at low speed or

very
> > gently bounce the front by hand. Cure is to replace the arm carrying the
> > ball-joint as they are not repairable. Until the symptoms get quite
> > pronounced it is hard to workout which joint is bad unless there is

visible
> > damage.
> >
> > Rgds
> > Alec

>
> Just making sure you were referring to the same problems I have had and

not a new one I
> didn't know about.
>
> The front suspension problems you mention have so far cost me just under

£1,000 (non Audi
> garage). At the end of last summer the groaning started but as the weather

turned colder
> it totally disappeared. This summer it started again as the weather warmed

up. I have been
> having the arms/joints replaced one by one but each time the noise only

reduces rather
> than stopping completely. Every time it goes back in for another arm I

think 'This will be
> the last one' only to find it still creaks. Tomorrow it goes in for the

replacement of the
> last arm on the O/S (upper front). If it still groans after that I'll do a

John Cleese on it!
>
> Anyone reading this should seriously review any intentions they have of

buying a 97-99
> Audi A4/A6/A8. Don't think the fact that it has been recalled and had the

problem joints
> replaced gets you out of the woods. My A6 and my wife's A4 were both

repaired under the
> recall but both cars are now costing us a fortune replacing front

suspension parts.
>
> Paul.

Hi Paul. I think the difficulty lies in finding the duff one. I partially
stripped one side last weekend, replaced nothing, and its quiet again! I am
going to buy a syringe and inject some grease through the boots when it
comes back !!!
I think it would have cost you less if all the joints on a side were
replaced at once... The arms run about £200 per side from Eurocar Parts or
German and Swedish.

Rgds
Alec
PS did they do the "C" arm to the rollbar ?


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  #8  
Old August 5th 04, 06:29 PM
Paul Anderson
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Default

Alec said the following on 05/08/2004 18:12:

> "Paul Anderson" > wrote in message
> ...
>
>>Alec said the following on 05/08/2004 16:46:
>>
>>
>>
>>>The wishbone front suspension on the A4, A6, A8 and Passat is prone to
>>>failure of one or more of the seven ball-joints per side.
>>>This shows as a creaking or groaning as you manoeuvre at low speed or

>
> very
>
>>>gently bounce the front by hand. Cure is to replace the arm carrying the
>>>ball-joint as they are not repairable. Until the symptoms get quite
>>>pronounced it is hard to workout which joint is bad unless there is

>
> visible
>
>>>damage.
>>>
>>>Rgds
>>>Alec

>>
>>Just making sure you were referring to the same problems I have had and

>
> not a new one I
>
>>didn't know about.
>>
>>The front suspension problems you mention have so far cost me just under

>
> £1,000 (non Audi
>
>>garage). At the end of last summer the groaning started but as the weather

>
> turned colder
>
>>it totally disappeared. This summer it started again as the weather warmed

>
> up. I have been
>
>>having the arms/joints replaced one by one but each time the noise only

>
> reduces rather
>
>>than stopping completely. Every time it goes back in for another arm I

>
> think 'This will be
>
>>the last one' only to find it still creaks. Tomorrow it goes in for the

>
> replacement of the
>
>>last arm on the O/S (upper front). If it still groans after that I'll do a

>
> John Cleese on it!
>
>>Anyone reading this should seriously review any intentions they have of

>
> buying a 97-99
>
>>Audi A4/A6/A8. Don't think the fact that it has been recalled and had the

>
> problem joints
>
>>replaced gets you out of the woods. My A6 and my wife's A4 were both

>
> repaired under the
>
>>recall but both cars are now costing us a fortune replacing front

>
> suspension parts.
>
>>Paul.

>
> Hi Paul. I think the difficulty lies in finding the duff one. I partially
> stripped one side last weekend, replaced nothing, and its quiet again! I am
> going to buy a syringe and inject some grease through the boots when it
> comes back !!!
> I think it would have cost you less if all the joints on a side were
> replaced at once... The arms run about £200 per side from Eurocar Parts or
> German and Swedish.
>
> Rgds
> Alec
> PS did they do the "C" arm to the rollbar ?
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.734 / Virus Database: 488 - Release Date: 04/08/2004
>
>


Alec,

I tried the lubrication method and it would cure it for a matter of days only. I wish I
had gone for the 'whole job at once option' but you learn by your mistakes. I didn't have
any idea that nearly all of them would be groaning. As you say it's a process of
elimination. Each time one was replaced the noise would lessen so I don't doubt that they
needed replacing.

I've just printed an exploded view of the suspension from Michell's Repair CD and plan to
take it into the garage tomorrow and ask him to highlight the parts that have been
replaced so I know where I'm up to.

I wish I had stuck with Toyota!

Paul.

  #9  
Old August 6th 04, 07:58 AM
Wolfgang Pawlinetz
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Default

Paul Anderson schrieb:

>I wish I had stuck with Toyota!


Why? Not that it's trouble free, is it?

>

>Paul.


Regards

Wolfgang
--
* Audi A6 Avant TDI *
* reply to wolfgang dot pawlinetz at chello dot at *
  #10  
Old August 6th 04, 12:40 PM
darren
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Default

Control arms....

Hmmm when people said to me make sure you have money in the bank when you
buy an Audi - they were so dam right. My newly purchased Audi A4 1999.5
1.8TQM (85K kms) after 2 weeks developed a knocking noise from the front...
I ultimately had the two bottom control arms replaced & tie rod ends for
$1500cdn. After that I found out that I needed 3 out of the 4 control arms
on the front top replaced... for another $1000cdn! it feels a bit loose on
the front but I'll see how it goes for now. Now I hear squeaking from the
rear... Ho hum, looks like new control arms on the rear also!

On another note the Audi is an amazing car to drive and I say to people who
slate the Audi and who have not even test driven them is to drive them!

The Audi is a near luxury car... So I should not complain too much of the
motoring costs, but it still hurts!

I've had the car for 2 months now and I'm loving it, but both me & my
fiancée have agreed that if it starts costing money then it's history!


Ps, beware that according to Automotive protection agency in Montreal (I'm
not sure about the rest of Canada) that if you buy a car over 5yrs or over
80k Kms you do not automatically get full coverage with a garage. It is up
to the good will of the garage to repair something if it goes wrong!

see an extract from the APA email:-

"Unfortunately, the Consumer Protection Act does not protect consumers
against

apparent defects. However, article 53 of the Consumer Protection Act does

protect the consumer against latent defects (defects that cannot be detected

through a simple inspection made by someone who is not a specialist in the

matter). Furthermore, articles 37 and 38 of the Consumer Protection Act say

that a good must be durable in normal use.

As for legal warranties, if your car has less that 5 years (starting from

the date that it was put on the market) and less than 80 000km, there would

be a legal warranty of 1 month or 1700km."



 




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