Dealer service worth it?
 

Having recently had a turbo replaced under warranty, I accepted
dealer's recommendation to replace plugs, air filter and do a "fuel
injection job" -- cleaning out throttle body, whatever -- on my 2001
A4 1.8TQ with 41k miles during a paid service interval. I feel there
is a noticeable performance pickup, particularly accelleration, after
the job. Or am I just imagining same after a rather stiff charge?
Comments, pls.

Re: Dealer service worth it?
 

NO!

You can usually do all that stuff yourself very easily and for a lot less.
Parts are cheaper from aftermarket sources. Depends how much you value your
spare time. I actually find working on my car kind of theraputic, plus saves
me many bucks.

May have to invest in some simple tools though.

Last week I installed new rear rotors and pads. Entailed removing two screws
on each side. Dealer would have charged at least 2 hours labour. Took me one
hour, tho I did need a special $40 tool to rotate in caliper piston.

Tony
96 S6

"Robin Nelson" <tormid@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:aacrj1t4a6f2afhmn54a6ipiipvlrq3t8d@4ax.com...
>
> Having recently had a turbo replaced under warranty, I accepted
> dealer's recommendation to replace plugs, air filter and do a "fuel
> injection job" -- cleaning out throttle body, whatever -- on my 2001
> A4 1.8TQ with 41k miles during a paid service interval. I feel there
> is a noticeable performance pickup, particularly accelleration, after
> the job. Or am I just imagining same after a rather stiff charge?
> Comments, pls.

Re: Dealer service worth it?
 

"Tony Curran" <tony.curran@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:wEk%e.2895$l03.611926@news20.bellglobal.com.. .

> tho I did need a special $40 tool to rotate in caliper piston.

In the US, Autozone lends that tool for free; you don't even have to buy
your parts from them.

Re: Dealer service worth it?
 

On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 20:25:14 -0400, "Tony Curran"
<tony.curran@sympatico.ca> wrote:

>NO!
>
>You can usually do all that stuff yourself very easily and for a lot less.
>Parts are cheaper from aftermarket sources. Depends how much you value your
>spare time. I actually find working on my car kind of theraputic, plus saves
>me many bucks.
>
>May have to invest in some simple tools though.
>
>Last week I installed new rear rotors and pads. Entailed removing two screws
>on each side. Dealer would have charged at least 2 hours labour. Took me one
>hour, tho I did need a special $40 tool to rotate in caliper piston.
>
>Tony
>96 S6
>
>"Robin Nelson" <tormid@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>news:aacrj1t4a6f2afhmn54a6ipiipvlrq3t8d@4ax.com.. .
>>
>> Having recently had a turbo replaced under warranty, I accepted
>> dealer's recommendation to replace plugs, air filter and do a "fuel
>> injection job" -- cleaning out throttle body, whatever -- on my 2001
>> A4 1.8TQ with 41k miles during a paid service interval. I feel there
>> is a noticeable performance pickup, particularly accelleration, after
>> the job. Or am I just imagining same after a rather stiff charge?
>> Comments, pls.
>

I know I could do it myself IF this and IF that, but what I was more
interested in is whether my impression of a performance boost as a
result of the work is legit in the experience of others. Thanks.

Re: Dealer service worth it?
 

>>"Robin Nelson" <tormid@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>>news:aacrj1t4a6f2afhmn54a6ipiipvlrq3t8d@4ax.com. ..
>>>
>>> Having recently had a turbo replaced under warranty, I accepted
>>> dealer's recommendation to replace plugs, air filter and do a "fuel
>>> injection job" -- cleaning out throttle body, whatever -- on my 2001
>>> A4 1.8TQ with 41k miles during a paid service interval. I feel there
>>> is a noticeable performance pickup, particularly accelleration, after
>>> the job. Or am I just imagining same after a rather stiff charge?
>>> Comments, pls.
>>
>
> I know I could do it myself IF this and IF that, but what I was more
> interested in is whether my impression of a performance boost as a
> result of the work is legit in the experience of others. Thanks.

It's certainly possible if you had a filthy air filter, or a misfiring spark
plug...
Hard to say without being there. (I have a 91 Integra that had the ceramic
around a spark plug electrode fall into the cylinder. You should have heard
how badly it ran then.) There is a TSB on the throttle body clean up.

What was wrong with the turbo? Seems unusual to have to replace it so soon.

--Art

Re: Dealer service worth it?
 

Well, if the old turbo wasn't working properly, then sure, the car
could feel a lot peppier now. Plugs and filter could make a difference
too, if they were fouled/clogged, respectively.

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA

Re: Dealer service worth it?
 

On Sun, 2 Oct 2005 14:53:49 -0400, "Art M"
<Xarthurruhtra@netscape.netX> wrote:

>
>>>"Robin Nelson" <tormid@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>>>news:aacrj1t4a6f2afhmn54a6ipiipvlrq3t8d@4ax.com ...
>>>>
>>>> Having recently had a turbo replaced under warranty, I accepted
>>>> dealer's recommendation to replace plugs, air filter and do a "fuel
>>>> injection job" -- cleaning out throttle body, whatever -- on my 2001
>>>> A4 1.8TQ with 41k miles during a paid service interval. I feel there
>>>> is a noticeable performance pickup, particularly accelleration, after
>>>> the job. Or am I just imagining same after a rather stiff charge?
>>>> Comments, pls.
>>>
>>
>> I know I could do it myself IF this and IF that, but what I was more
>> interested in is whether my impression of a performance boost as a
>> result of the work is legit in the experience of others. Thanks.
>
>It's certainly possible if you had a filthy air filter, or a misfiring spark
>plug...
>Hard to say without being there. (I have a 91 Integra that had the ceramic
>around a spark plug electrode fall into the cylinder. You should have heard
>how badly it ran then.) There is a TSB on the throttle body clean up.
>
>What was wrong with the turbo? Seems unusual to have to replace it so soon.
>
>--Art
>

Lost oil pressure suddenly at speed -- clogged intake screen as a
result of what's generally known as "the oil sludge problem," and
turbo lines were affected as well.

RN

Re: Dealer service worth it?
 

On 3 Oct 2005 13:31:49 -0700, "Dano58" <dan.dibiase@gmail.com> wrote:

>Well, if the old turbo wasn't working properly, then sure, the car
>could feel a lot peppier now. Plugs and filter could make a difference
>too, if they were fouled/clogged, respectively.
>
>Dan D
>'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
>Central NJ USA

Not quite. Had new turbo in and running a couple of weeks before the
other maintenance was done -- and that's when I noticed the pickup.

RN