Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:dkonvq$5u$1@inews.gazeta.pl...
>
> "Ian S"
> > and if the coolant
> > has not been religiously replaced on schedule,
>
> And what schedule might that be? According to Audi, coolant is
> lifetime, just like the manual tranny fluid.
>
> Sure, I don't quite buy into this, but just curious how often you
> replace your coolant.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Pete
>
I stand corrected. You are right, my manual says it's permanent. For some
reason, I thought it was every two years. And here I've been blaming myself
for my radiator failure since I let the coolant change go longer than three
years.

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

<ramandeep.ahuja@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1131404300.458726.236450@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Ian and Dan,
>
> Thank you so much for your valuable feedback! YOU WERE RIGHT !!!
>
> The inspection revealed that it has two "minor" oil leaks one of which
> the dealer suggested getting fixed - the one near rear camshaft.. ??
> The other is somewhere in the valve gasket. The service mechanic
> mentioned that it is "minor" because the oil is not hitting the floor.

Mine was "minor" too except that it would every once in awhile reach a hot
exhaust part and cause smoke to arise from the engine compartment and stink
up the car's interior.

>
> I am buying from a private party. I only got the inspection done from
> the dealer. I did not know how to find an independant Audi dealer - How
> do I find one ?
> + the car is located 60 miles aways from where I live and so I am not
> familiar with all the repair shops.
>
> The approximate cost of getting the two things fixed is around $400
> each = $800. This is a quote from a dealer which means I can probably
> get it done cheaper if so how much?

Cost me about $400 at an independent service place. It may be hard to find a
good independent - look for a German repair specialist with good reputation
and ask if they work on A4's. In my experience, if they don't normally work
on Audis they'll tell you.

Will this problem come back ?

it will probably be OK for another 50 to 60,000 miles. I don't know for sure
if they've actually improved the design of the gaskets and seals for that
vintage of A4.
>
> Secondly the coolant was low on the car and the indicator with water
> and a X shows when it starts up - is that a problem or just the fact
> that the coolant is low ?

It could be that the coolant is just low but it could also be due to a leak
somewhere.

>
> The dealer suggested the timing belt change at 90K. (currently at 70K -
> the car was last serviced around 55200 miles according to the Carfax
> report)

Audi has an issue with timing belts (http://tinyurl.com/7ab9n) but it may be
more of a problem with the 1.8T than the 2.8. My 1998 manual says 90,000 but
that's considered risky since Audi now says 75,000 miles for newer cars. The
problem is that other items such as the water pump and the tensioners can
fail and take the TB with them. If the timing belt breaks then you are
looking at major engine repair costs of at least $4000 and most likely much
more. BTW, if that car has not had the oil and filter changed in nearly
15,000 miles then I'd question just how well it's been maintained.
>
> The brakes are okay at this point. The rest of the inspection revealed
> that it needs minor maintenance such "surpentine belts" and brake fluid
> flush. The report did not say anything about the control arms for the
> front suspension.

Did the report say anything about the condition of the CV joint boots? A
cracked or damaged boot should be replaced before dirt gets in and destroys
the CV joint.
>
> Thanks once again and thanks in advance.
>

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

<ramandeep.ahuja@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1131404300.458726.236450@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Ian and Dan,
>
> Thank you so much for your valuable feedback! YOU WERE RIGHT !!!
>
> The inspection revealed that it has two "minor" oil leaks one of which
> the dealer suggested getting fixed - the one near rear camshaft.. ??
> The other is somewhere in the valve gasket. The service mechanic
> mentioned that it is "minor" because the oil is not hitting the floor.

Mine was "minor" too except that it would every once in awhile reach a hot
exhaust part and cause smoke to arise from the engine compartment and stink
up the car's interior.

>
> I am buying from a private party. I only got the inspection done from
> the dealer. I did not know how to find an independant Audi dealer - How
> do I find one ?
> + the car is located 60 miles aways from where I live and so I am not
> familiar with all the repair shops.
>
> The approximate cost of getting the two things fixed is around $400
> each = $800. This is a quote from a dealer which means I can probably
> get it done cheaper if so how much?

Cost me about $400 at an independent service place. It may be hard to find a
good independent - look for a German repair specialist with good reputation
and ask if they work on A4's. In my experience, if they don't normally work
on Audis they'll tell you.

Will this problem come back ?

it will probably be OK for another 50 to 60,000 miles. I don't know for sure
if they've actually improved the design of the gaskets and seals for that
vintage of A4.
>
> Secondly the coolant was low on the car and the indicator with water
> and a X shows when it starts up - is that a problem or just the fact
> that the coolant is low ?

It could be that the coolant is just low but it could also be due to a leak
somewhere.

>
> The dealer suggested the timing belt change at 90K. (currently at 70K -
> the car was last serviced around 55200 miles according to the Carfax
> report)

Audi has an issue with timing belts (http://tinyurl.com/7ab9n) but it may be
more of a problem with the 1.8T than the 2.8. My 1998 manual says 90,000 but
that's considered risky since Audi now says 75,000 miles for newer cars. The
problem is that other items such as the water pump and the tensioners can
fail and take the TB with them. If the timing belt breaks then you are
looking at major engine repair costs of at least $4000 and most likely much
more. BTW, if that car has not had the oil and filter changed in nearly
15,000 miles then I'd question just how well it's been maintained.
>
> The brakes are okay at this point. The rest of the inspection revealed
> that it needs minor maintenance such "surpentine belts" and brake fluid
> flush. The report did not say anything about the control arms for the
> front suspension.

Did the report say anything about the condition of the CV joint boots? A
cracked or damaged boot should be replaced before dirt gets in and destroys
the CV joint.
>
> Thanks once again and thanks in advance.
>

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

<ramandeep.ahuja@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1131404300.458726.236450@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Ian and Dan,
>
> Thank you so much for your valuable feedback! YOU WERE RIGHT !!!
>
> The inspection revealed that it has two "minor" oil leaks one of which
> the dealer suggested getting fixed - the one near rear camshaft.. ??
> The other is somewhere in the valve gasket. The service mechanic
> mentioned that it is "minor" because the oil is not hitting the floor.

Mine was "minor" too except that it would every once in awhile reach a hot
exhaust part and cause smoke to arise from the engine compartment and stink
up the car's interior.

>
> I am buying from a private party. I only got the inspection done from
> the dealer. I did not know how to find an independant Audi dealer - How
> do I find one ?
> + the car is located 60 miles aways from where I live and so I am not
> familiar with all the repair shops.
>
> The approximate cost of getting the two things fixed is around $400
> each = $800. This is a quote from a dealer which means I can probably
> get it done cheaper if so how much?

Cost me about $400 at an independent service place. It may be hard to find a
good independent - look for a German repair specialist with good reputation
and ask if they work on A4's. In my experience, if they don't normally work
on Audis they'll tell you.

Will this problem come back ?

it will probably be OK for another 50 to 60,000 miles. I don't know for sure
if they've actually improved the design of the gaskets and seals for that
vintage of A4.
>
> Secondly the coolant was low on the car and the indicator with water
> and a X shows when it starts up - is that a problem or just the fact
> that the coolant is low ?

It could be that the coolant is just low but it could also be due to a leak
somewhere.

>
> The dealer suggested the timing belt change at 90K. (currently at 70K -
> the car was last serviced around 55200 miles according to the Carfax
> report)

Audi has an issue with timing belts (http://tinyurl.com/7ab9n) but it may be
more of a problem with the 1.8T than the 2.8. My 1998 manual says 90,000 but
that's considered risky since Audi now says 75,000 miles for newer cars. The
problem is that other items such as the water pump and the tensioners can
fail and take the TB with them. If the timing belt breaks then you are
looking at major engine repair costs of at least $4000 and most likely much
more. BTW, if that car has not had the oil and filter changed in nearly
15,000 miles then I'd question just how well it's been maintained.
>
> The brakes are okay at this point. The rest of the inspection revealed
> that it needs minor maintenance such "surpentine belts" and brake fluid
> flush. The report did not say anything about the control arms for the
> front suspension.

Did the report say anything about the condition of the CV joint boots? A
cracked or damaged boot should be replaced before dirt gets in and destroys
the CV joint.
>
> Thanks once again and thanks in advance.
>

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

<ramandeep.ahuja@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1131404300.458726.236450@f14g2000cwb.googlegr oups.com...
> Ian and Dan,
>
> Thank you so much for your valuable feedback! YOU WERE RIGHT !!!
>
> The inspection revealed that it has two "minor" oil leaks one of which
> the dealer suggested getting fixed - the one near rear camshaft.. ??
> The other is somewhere in the valve gasket. The service mechanic
> mentioned that it is "minor" because the oil is not hitting the floor.

Mine was "minor" too except that it would every once in awhile reach a hot
exhaust part and cause smoke to arise from the engine compartment and stink
up the car's interior.

>
> I am buying from a private party. I only got the inspection done from
> the dealer. I did not know how to find an independant Audi dealer - How
> do I find one ?
> + the car is located 60 miles aways from where I live and so I am not
> familiar with all the repair shops.
>
> The approximate cost of getting the two things fixed is around $400
> each = $800. This is a quote from a dealer which means I can probably
> get it done cheaper if so how much?

Cost me about $400 at an independent service place. It may be hard to find a
good independent - look for a German repair specialist with good reputation
and ask if they work on A4's. In my experience, if they don't normally work
on Audis they'll tell you.

Will this problem come back ?

it will probably be OK for another 50 to 60,000 miles. I don't know for sure
if they've actually improved the design of the gaskets and seals for that
vintage of A4.
>
> Secondly the coolant was low on the car and the indicator with water
> and a X shows when it starts up - is that a problem or just the fact
> that the coolant is low ?

It could be that the coolant is just low but it could also be due to a leak
somewhere.

>
> The dealer suggested the timing belt change at 90K. (currently at 70K -
> the car was last serviced around 55200 miles according to the Carfax
> report)

Audi has an issue with timing belts (http://tinyurl.com/7ab9n) but it may be
more of a problem with the 1.8T than the 2.8. My 1998 manual says 90,000 but
that's considered risky since Audi now says 75,000 miles for newer cars. The
problem is that other items such as the water pump and the tensioners can
fail and take the TB with them. If the timing belt breaks then you are
looking at major engine repair costs of at least $4000 and most likely much
more. BTW, if that car has not had the oil and filter changed in nearly
15,000 miles then I'd question just how well it's been maintained.
>
> The brakes are okay at this point. The rest of the inspection revealed
> that it needs minor maintenance such "surpentine belts" and brake fluid
> flush. The report did not say anything about the control arms for the
> front suspension.

Did the report say anything about the condition of the CV joint boots? A
cracked or damaged boot should be replaced before dirt gets in and destroys
the CV joint.
>
> Thanks once again and thanks in advance.
>

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Ian S" wrote
> For some
> reason, I thought it was every two years.

The only fluid that I can think of that Audi recommends changing every
two years is the brake fluid.

Pete

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Ian S" wrote
> For some
> reason, I thought it was every two years.

The only fluid that I can think of that Audi recommends changing every
two years is the brake fluid.

Pete

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Ian S" wrote
> For some
> reason, I thought it was every two years.

The only fluid that I can think of that Audi recommends changing every
two years is the brake fluid.

Pete

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

"Ian S" wrote
> For some
> reason, I thought it was every two years.

The only fluid that I can think of that Audi recommends changing every
two years is the brake fluid.

Pete

Re: Buying 2000 Audi a4 quattro 2.8L
 

OK Since you all probably own / have owned an Audi - Can I get an oil
change done at a Jiffy Lube or is it only done at dealerships ? Is it
hard to find Independant mechanics ?