Just bought my first Audi, usually a BMW fan. In Nelson I am very lucky to have the audidoctor who knows these things and doesn't charge extra just for working on them, plus has parts supply. So I'm happy there. Question is what is knowledgable trade opinion on these? Known issues to watch for, to get serviced extra?
Please no unfounded opinions, I've bought it and despite owning many jap and Aussie cars prefer driving euro.
Oh it's an older one 1998, 150000km, good service history since arriving from Japan, had gearbox overhaul 2 years ago for $6000 locally. Ouch. Had cambelts at 96km.
Currently has climate stuck one one temp, cool. Owner included a thermostat claiming that was issue though I see it is pig to get too and I'm not convinced. Bought cheap enough to be okay with bill to fix. Otherwise it's very clean, great paint, getting new headlining as we speak.
thejazzpianoma,
Feb 13, 3:32pm
You mean the 2.4 aye? Do you know how long ago in terms of time the belts were done? What colour coolant is in it?
tamarillo,
Feb 13, 3:36pm
Hi jazz, so your right it's 2390 I think. Belts at 96. Coolant is red/orange now you mention it, which I thought odd as I use green stuff. Is this a VW Audi thing I need to know? All fluids are clean and to level.
skyblue17,
Feb 13, 3:44pm
Red/pink is correct colour.
tamarillo,
Feb 13, 3:54pm
Thanks, whats the difference? I have big bottle of green stuff here! Nice to know it has proper stuff in though - the guy was a VW AUDI nutter but got a company car.
thejazzpianoma,
Feb 13, 3:58pm
It's SUPER important to use the VW fluid which is G13. There are two key reasons. Firstly when the residue of the proper fluid mixes with the green stuff it turns to jelly. This is a key reason for a lot of transmission failures in older cars as this Jelly tends to block the transmission cooler pipes (trans is cooled via the cooling system).
The other reasons are the G13 is long life, it's actually called "lifetime" fluid but is realistically only good for 5 years max. It also has lubricating properties to help the waterpump etc. This is standard advice for all Audi/VW/Skoda product BTW.
thejazzpianoma,
Feb 13, 4:01pm
If you can, see if you can find out when in terms of time the belts were done. I am pretty rusty on these older Audi's now but seem to remember they were a 5 year maximum change, would pay to look this up.
When you do the change on those the front of the car either needs to be removed or put in to the service position (tilted forward). Don't worry it's designed to do this and doesn't take much extra time.
The idea is to do everything while you are in there. so belts, tensioners, waterpump (especially important in case it still has an early one which were prone to failure) and thermostat (because of where it's located).
It's not actually a terrible job to do yourself if you are suitably mechanically inclined. It just takes time and the ability to follow instructions carefully.
thejazzpianoma,
Feb 13, 4:05pm
My other key thought is the Haldex coupling. This is a clutch type arrangement for the 4WD system. It has a filter and special fluid. This is different to the rear diff fluid (which also should probably be changed).
The trans having been recently serviced probably has another year or so before you would want to do the fluid again but I suspect the haldex coupling may have been neglected.
I haven't done an older one, but am expecting the typical arrangement of a replacable filter and special haldex fluid. This is an easy enough DIY job if you have the ability to jack it up and keep it nice and level. There is a special spanner for doing the filter on older cars, it's cheap enough to buy on ebay. Off hand I think this is a 60K service but would pay to look it up as again, I am pretty rusty on these older models now.
tamarillo,
Feb 13, 4:12pm
Thank so much jazz, greatly appreciated. Will get corrects colant in case it needs topping up. Will get audidoctor to look at stuck air, and am thinking that if he has to get to thermostat which is I belive tucked in behind cambelts, than get him to access belts, water pumps etc with idea to do. Think this will be a keeper as it suits me well right now and feels tight and looks real good. Thanks for responses.
tamarillo,
Feb 13, 4:13pm
Will look at this haldex thing myself, ta.
thejazzpianoma,
Feb 13, 4:37pm
Yes, behind the belts as above with the thermostat.
What is the temperature gauge doing? If it's not moving up to half way and staying there rock solid then yes it will need doing and there will indeed be a lack of heating from the climate control.
I agree completely with doing all the belts, waterpump, thermostat, tensioners all together, especially as they sound like they are about due anyway and possibly the thermostat was neglected last time. Given the thermostat may have been neglected I would also be worried about the waterpump, whatever you do don't neglect having that replaced. The early ones had plastic impellors made of a plastic that didn't last very long and the fins break off. The plastic ones you buy now are a different plastic and last just fine, so don't feel you have to insist on a metal impellar pump, plastic actually carry's advantages.
I can point you in the direction of factory parts and service manuals if you need. Also, check out the international VW forums as they are fantastic and have write up's on pretty much everything including the haldex service. The likes of ECS tuning will do haldex service kits including the tool etc for you. Just remember with ECS that they are geared toward a LHD market, this affects things like cabin filters, head lights etc so use caution when ordering some things.
thejazzpianoma,
Feb 13, 4:39pm
Oh, and coolant should be changed at the timing belt service with the water pump so don't panic about getting any for topping up unless it's already low. BNT sell a G13 equivalent which is also fine, but I would expect your Audi specialist to have the proper stuff.
It shouldn't really drop enough between max 5 year changes to warrant topping up with G13, if it does you need to be investigating the cause. At most I would expect a cup full in 5 years and it would be fine to use just de-mineralised water for that much.
Also, you are most welcome, hit me up with questions any time, happy to help if I can.
w202merc,
Feb 13, 4:48pm
that model Audi isnt Heldex, they are a an original quattro set up with longitudinal engine :)
monsieurl,
Feb 13, 4:54pm
Nice write up Jazz! Anyone looking at buying an Audi B5 should check this. Good job!
thejazzpianoma,
Feb 13, 5:09pm
Ahh of course! Thanks w202merc, been playing with the east west VW's for too long now!
tamarillo,
Feb 13, 6:55pm
Yes excelant help here and appreciated. Haven't used it much as yet so will do decent run next week and check what temp gauge is doing, kind of in bits right now awaiting headlining to come back. Interior is excelant apart from droped headlining but I'm used to that with older bmws , seems the foam doesn't like our sun. Agree that if it needs thermostat might as well do rest whist there and be safe. Naively hoped it would be on top like older cars!
tamarillo,
Jun 4, 4:49pm
Update, turned out climate air problem showed up as a fault code on the diagnostics that had shut it down, once cleared it works! Day before I noticed the clip over the heater outlet pipe had been left in bleed position - uncovers a hole to allow Heater core to bleed out. So I bleed it out, closed hole, and now with computer happy it Works. Doesn't go real cold but works, heats etc so hopefull gas top up with fix that. Shows worth getting the diagnostics checked before embarking on major work! $140 for new headlining and days work taking the thing in and out then cleaning off all the foam, and looking good driving well. Still got a grumbling bearing but it's not enough to work out which yet so will keep driving until it is. Next job is decent sounds, band expander is useless and reception on national awful, and cd box in boot isn't reading cd, tries to load and info getting through to head but can't load and play. But this isn't exactly crucial stuff. Electrics are magical for me so won't try fixing that.
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