2003 A6 2.7T new owner
 

I just bought a used 2003 A6 Turbo and have many questions:

Can I buy a repair manual for it?
It only came with 1 key, what is the best (cheapest) way to get new keys?
Is it hard to change the spark plugs?
There is a whining sound coming from the engine when it is first started and
is cold, and it goes away after about 5 minutes - any ideas?
The silly cup holder between the seats will not lock into the closed
position - how do I pull the center console to repair it?
The front VC rubber covers are torn - are their split replacement boots
available for me to use?
My car has 75,000 miles on it - should I be looking to replace the timing
belt?
The manual says to change the brake fluid every 2 years (this has never been
done) - is this really necessary?
Is it worth re-chipping this car for more HP?

Any other things I might want to know about?

Many thanks!

Don

Re: 2003 A6 2.7T new owner
 

Don Gunn wrote:
> I just bought a used 2003 A6 Turbo and have many questions:
>
> Can I buy a repair manual for it?
May want to check at Bentley Publishers. It may be on CD and will not be cheap
if available at all.

> It only came with 1 key, what is the best (cheapest) way to get new keys?
Take your key to your local Audi Dealer and plan to spend $350 for a new one
including binding to your car.

> Is it hard to change the spark plugs?
No.

> There is a whining sound coming from the engine when it is first started and
> is cold, and it goes away after about 5 minutes - any ideas?
The V6 engine tends to do this. Not to worry.

> The silly cup holder between the seats will not lock into the closed
> position - how do I pull the center console to repair it?
No idea.

> The front VC rubber covers are torn - are their split replacement boots
> available for me to use?
Split 'CV' boots can be sourced from your FLAPS. I have used them with success
but others have had bad experiences with the split boots.

> My car has 75,000 miles on it - should I be looking to replace the timing
> belt?
You should have it done immediately. Most replace theirs at 60K. This is an
interference engine with 30 little valves that like to stick themselves into
pistons. Find a good local independent shop to do this and be sure they know
Audis. With the requires parts (tensioner pulley, water pump, idler pulley,
thermostat and belt) this should cost somewhere between $600 and $1,000.

> The manual says to change the brake fluid every 2 years (this has never been
> done) - is this really necessary?
If you drive it aggressively it is recommended. Get a pressure bleeder to make
the job easier.

> Is it worth re-chipping this car for more HP?
Oh yeah.

> Any other things I might want to know about?
Keep up with all required maintenance and you will have a good experience.

This engine is very strong and dependable but does have a reputation of having
small oil leaks at the cam seals in the rear of the heads. The oil will drip on
the exhaust manifold and cause an occasional smell. No big problem and really
doesn't affect the oil level as the quantity is very small. It can be corrected
but the job is fairly big and it is better to just put up with the leak.

>
> Many thanks!
>
> Don
>
>

Re: 2003 A6 2.7T new owner
 

Don Gunn wrote:
> I just bought a used 2003 A6 Turbo and have many questions:
>
> Can I buy a repair manual for it?
May want to check at Bentley Publishers. It may be on CD and will not be cheap
if available at all.

> It only came with 1 key, what is the best (cheapest) way to get new keys?
Take your key to your local Audi Dealer and plan to spend $350 for a new one
including binding to your car.

> Is it hard to change the spark plugs?
No.

> There is a whining sound coming from the engine when it is first started and
> is cold, and it goes away after about 5 minutes - any ideas?
The V6 engine tends to do this. Not to worry.

> The silly cup holder between the seats will not lock into the closed
> position - how do I pull the center console to repair it?
No idea.

> The front VC rubber covers are torn - are their split replacement boots
> available for me to use?
Split 'CV' boots can be sourced from your FLAPS. I have used them with success
but others have had bad experiences with the split boots.

> My car has 75,000 miles on it - should I be looking to replace the timing
> belt?
You should have it done immediately. Most replace theirs at 60K. This is an
interference engine with 30 little valves that like to stick themselves into
pistons. Find a good local independent shop to do this and be sure they know
Audis. With the requires parts (tensioner pulley, water pump, idler pulley,
thermostat and belt) this should cost somewhere between $600 and $1,000.

> The manual says to change the brake fluid every 2 years (this has never been
> done) - is this really necessary?
If you drive it aggressively it is recommended. Get a pressure bleeder to make
the job easier.

> Is it worth re-chipping this car for more HP?
Oh yeah.

> Any other things I might want to know about?
Keep up with all required maintenance and you will have a good experience.

This engine is very strong and dependable but does have a reputation of having
small oil leaks at the cam seals in the rear of the heads. The oil will drip on
the exhaust manifold and cause an occasional smell. No big problem and really
doesn't affect the oil level as the quantity is very small. It can be corrected
but the job is fairly big and it is better to just put up with the leak.

>
> Many thanks!
>
> Don
>
>

Re: 2003 A6 2.7T new owner
 

Don Gunn wrote:
> I just bought a used 2003 A6 Turbo and have many questions:
>
> Can I buy a repair manual for it?
May want to check at Bentley Publishers. It may be on CD and will not be cheap
if available at all.

> It only came with 1 key, what is the best (cheapest) way to get new keys?
Take your key to your local Audi Dealer and plan to spend $350 for a new one
including binding to your car.

> Is it hard to change the spark plugs?
No.

> There is a whining sound coming from the engine when it is first started and
> is cold, and it goes away after about 5 minutes - any ideas?
The V6 engine tends to do this. Not to worry.

> The silly cup holder between the seats will not lock into the closed
> position - how do I pull the center console to repair it?
No idea.

> The front VC rubber covers are torn - are their split replacement boots
> available for me to use?
Split 'CV' boots can be sourced from your FLAPS. I have used them with success
but others have had bad experiences with the split boots.

> My car has 75,000 miles on it - should I be looking to replace the timing
> belt?
You should have it done immediately. Most replace theirs at 60K. This is an
interference engine with 30 little valves that like to stick themselves into
pistons. Find a good local independent shop to do this and be sure they know
Audis. With the requires parts (tensioner pulley, water pump, idler pulley,
thermostat and belt) this should cost somewhere between $600 and $1,000.

> The manual says to change the brake fluid every 2 years (this has never been
> done) - is this really necessary?
If you drive it aggressively it is recommended. Get a pressure bleeder to make
the job easier.

> Is it worth re-chipping this car for more HP?
Oh yeah.

> Any other things I might want to know about?
Keep up with all required maintenance and you will have a good experience.

This engine is very strong and dependable but does have a reputation of having
small oil leaks at the cam seals in the rear of the heads. The oil will drip on
the exhaust manifold and cause an occasional smell. No big problem and really
doesn't affect the oil level as the quantity is very small. It can be corrected
but the job is fairly big and it is better to just put up with the leak.

>
> Many thanks!
>
> Don
>
>

Re: 2003 A6 2.7T new owner
 

Don Gunn wrote:
> I just bought a used 2003 A6 Turbo and have many questions:
>
> Can I buy a repair manual for it?
May want to check at Bentley Publishers. It may be on CD and will not be cheap
if available at all.

> It only came with 1 key, what is the best (cheapest) way to get new keys?
Take your key to your local Audi Dealer and plan to spend $350 for a new one
including binding to your car.

> Is it hard to change the spark plugs?
No.

> There is a whining sound coming from the engine when it is first started and
> is cold, and it goes away after about 5 minutes - any ideas?
The V6 engine tends to do this. Not to worry.

> The silly cup holder between the seats will not lock into the closed
> position - how do I pull the center console to repair it?
No idea.

> The front VC rubber covers are torn - are their split replacement boots
> available for me to use?
Split 'CV' boots can be sourced from your FLAPS. I have used them with success
but others have had bad experiences with the split boots.

> My car has 75,000 miles on it - should I be looking to replace the timing
> belt?
You should have it done immediately. Most replace theirs at 60K. This is an
interference engine with 30 little valves that like to stick themselves into
pistons. Find a good local independent shop to do this and be sure they know
Audis. With the requires parts (tensioner pulley, water pump, idler pulley,
thermostat and belt) this should cost somewhere between $600 and $1,000.

> The manual says to change the brake fluid every 2 years (this has never been
> done) - is this really necessary?
If you drive it aggressively it is recommended. Get a pressure bleeder to make
the job easier.

> Is it worth re-chipping this car for more HP?
Oh yeah.

> Any other things I might want to know about?
Keep up with all required maintenance and you will have a good experience.

This engine is very strong and dependable but does have a reputation of having
small oil leaks at the cam seals in the rear of the heads. The oil will drip on
the exhaust manifold and cause an occasional smell. No big problem and really
doesn't affect the oil level as the quantity is very small. It can be corrected
but the job is fairly big and it is better to just put up with the leak.

>
> Many thanks!
>
> Don
>
>

Re: 2003 A6 2.7T new owner
 

"TonyJ" wrote
>> The manual says to change the brake fluid every 2 years (this has never
>> been done) - is this really necessary?
> If you drive it aggressively it is recommended. Get a pressure bleeder to
> make the job easier.

Also, if he has ESP, he will need a VAG-COM or VAG-tool to actuate the ABS
pump in order to get most of the brake fluid out of the system.

Pete

Re: 2003 A6 2.7T new owner
 

"TonyJ" wrote
>> The manual says to change the brake fluid every 2 years (this has never
>> been done) - is this really necessary?
> If you drive it aggressively it is recommended. Get a pressure bleeder to
> make the job easier.

Also, if he has ESP, he will need a VAG-COM or VAG-tool to actuate the ABS
pump in order to get most of the brake fluid out of the system.

Pete

Re: 2003 A6 2.7T new owner
 

"TonyJ" wrote
>> The manual says to change the brake fluid every 2 years (this has never
>> been done) - is this really necessary?
> If you drive it aggressively it is recommended. Get a pressure bleeder to
> make the job easier.

Also, if he has ESP, he will need a VAG-COM or VAG-tool to actuate the ABS
pump in order to get most of the brake fluid out of the system.

Pete

Re: 2003 A6 2.7T new owner
 

"TonyJ" wrote
>> The manual says to change the brake fluid every 2 years (this has never
>> been done) - is this really necessary?
> If you drive it aggressively it is recommended. Get a pressure bleeder to
> make the job easier.

Also, if he has ESP, he will need a VAG-COM or VAG-tool to actuate the ABS
pump in order to get most of the brake fluid out of the system.

Pete

Re: 2003 A6 2.7T new owner
 

"Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:enk1b0$s6b$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
>
> "TonyJ" wrote
>>> The manual says to change the brake fluid every 2 years (this has never
>>> been done) - is this really necessary?
>> If you drive it aggressively it is recommended. Get a pressure bleeder to
>> make the job easier.
>
> Also, if he has ESP, he will need a VAG-COM or VAG-tool to actuate the ABS
> pump in order to get most of the brake fluid out of the system.
>

You only need to do this if the pump has run dry. It is not necessary for
normal bleeding.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/absbleeding.html

Richard