TonyJ

KLS wrote:
> On Wed, 02 May 2007 13:05:48 -0500, TonyJ <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
> wrote:
>>>> KLS wrote:
>>>>> What's a reasonable price for throttle body cleaning for a 98 A4Q?
>>>>>
>>>>> And what do people think of induction cleaning on a car like this at
>>>>> 107k miles?
>> A wild guess is about $300.
>
> Interesting: the local shop charged $160, but I'm still not totally
> convinced the price was really appropriate. Maybe it was.

Like I said, 'just a wild' guess. $160 sounds fair if it was needed at all.

>
>> What leads you to think that you need the TB cleaned?
>
> I had it done recently to eliminate this tan foam/residue I was seeing
> at the top of my oil dipstick level markers. Seems to have worked,
> but I didn't like how the shop was pressuring me to think about doing
> it every year (telling me scary stories about how entire engines were
> destroyed because the throttle body essentially exploded).

Finding tan residue / foam on the dipstick or in the valve cover when you look
in the oil filler cap is more indicative of a moisture problem where water is
mixing with your oil. One way this can happen is if you make a number of short
trips in town without giving the engine a chance to warm up and get rid of water
caused by condensation inside the engine. Worst case is when this is due to a
blown head gasket which allows you engine antifreeze to mix with the oil. If you
are noticing loss of Antifreeze and oil I would be concerned with this. It can
be checked by inspecting the spark plugs for signs of abnormal colored deposits
and be performing a compression / leak-down test.

I have spent a lot of time on Audi forums and working on them myself and have
never heard of anything being cause be a dirty TB other than erratic running and
idling of the engine. Your 2.8 is a conventional cable operated TB which is
quite resistant to TB issues. Starting in '02 with the B6 platform the operation
of the TB is controlled but DBW (drive by wire) which means that the foot pedal
sends a signal to the servo motor that operates the TB after the ECU considers
whether your requested throttle position is proper in relation to engine
operating conditions. If the ECU agrees the TB is opened accordingly. This
system is efficient but somewhat more prone to conditions such a icing that can
inhibit movement of the TB plate. This should not be an issue with your DBW version.

>
>> Induction cleaning sounds a bit like some mechanic is trying to make their house
>> payment at your expense. I would say 'no thanks' and install a new air cleaner
>> for $10.
>
> The idea behind this suggestion was to remove carbon deposits, etc.,
> on this 98.5 A4Q 2.8 car.
>
> I've also had the suggestion made to switch from 15W40 dino oil to
> synthetic (either Mobil 1 or Amsoil), and the car now has 107k miles,
> another consideration to decide on. Bad idea? I do use quite a bit
> of oil now, and it seems to be burning up, not leaking anywhere, so I
> wonder if the car would run better on synthetic.

My son has the same car as you do and it has 130K miles without ever having a TB
cleaned or intake manifold cleaned.

Switching from 15W40 dino oil to a synthetic will noticeably increase oil
consumption and some people claim that the change can lead to engine oil leaks.
Synthetic is used in the 1.8 turbo due to higher operating temps and coking /
sludge problems but it is not needed with the NA 2.8 engine.

You mechanic may have good intentions but if I were you I would look for another
independent shop that is recommended by other Audi owners in your area.

TonyJ
'04 1.8TQ6M stage 1

KLS

On Wed, 02 May 2007 21:45:27 -0500, TonyJ <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
wrote:

[lots of very good advice, deleted, but accepted, with gratitude]
Thanks, Tony! I'll pass on the synthetic oil and just keep changing
mine every 3-5k miles, as I have been.

KLS

On Wed, 02 May 2007 21:45:27 -0500, TonyJ <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
wrote:

[lots of very good advice, deleted, but accepted, with gratitude]
Thanks, Tony! I'll pass on the synthetic oil and just keep changing
mine every 3-5k miles, as I have been.

KLS

On Wed, 02 May 2007 21:45:27 -0500, TonyJ <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
wrote:

[lots of very good advice, deleted, but accepted, with gratitude]
Thanks, Tony! I'll pass on the synthetic oil and just keep changing
mine every 3-5k miles, as I have been.

KLS

On Wed, 02 May 2007 21:45:27 -0500, TonyJ <tonyjnospam@nospamvisi.com>
wrote:

[lots of very good advice, deleted, but accepted, with gratitude]
Thanks, Tony! I'll pass on the synthetic oil and just keep changing
mine every 3-5k miles, as I have been.