VAG fool

Looking cheeky next to my (very) long-term T3 syncro Caravelle and a flattering interior shot.

I joined A2OC as soon as we bought it. It will come good, paid over the odds but it is high spec (leather, Bose, glass roof) and we wanted a 1.4 petrol as they are the least grief. Engine is sweet, drove it 130 miles home and everything worked in the pouring rain so its got potential, just needs some love after the bottom feeder garage abuse.

In my limited experience, if a quick pkug in with a code reader doesnt find any fault codes then look at the "dumb" components such as coil pack or MAF sensor. The latter was failing on my 1.8 20v APK motor, random misfire and loss of power, would barely run then clear and go like a stabbed rat. I was convinced that it was the coil pack, but while waiting from one to arrive from Lithuania or somewhere I found an online post about MAF causing misfire-like symptoms. So I nicked the MAF off a known good 2000 Mk4 Golf 2.0 gti engine that has been hanging around and it cured it in one hit! Not perfect, slight hesitation mid-range but driveable. Then I could source the correct MAF from the Bosch part number, I had the choice of mad money from Germany or a chinese knockoff from some Bulgarian on ebay... The Bulgarian came good at £35 😄

It was sold to me for very small money (legally stolen quite frankly!) but on the understanding that I would keep and use it, not flip it for a quick profit. Its a delight. Not perfect by any means, its been used and there are a couple of scuffs and gutter scabs, but for a 22 year old car its wearing the years lightly. Also came along at just right time as the 88k A2 1.4SE I bought for m'lady has priven to be an ill-maintained and thoroughly mucked about moneypit!

Hi, brief intro post from a repeat offender in VAG circles (hence the user name) Have owned various vehicles over the last 20 years from the group, high point was probably the 3 year old 52 plate manual allroad Tdi180 in nogaro blue, as far as expenditure goes anyway! Currently rolling around in the latest bargain aquisition, a 99 A4 B5 avant 1.8 n/a with just 77 k on the clock. Its a timewarp car! Not too complicated for the home mechanic, cambelt done last weekend in one day. Not quick but good on fuel and now I can tow again.

For A4 B5 avant. The two plastic claw strips that go between the rear seat back and hold the guard in place. 8D9861703A https://shops.audi.com/en_GB/web/tradition/p/strip-8d9861703a-10 Preferably with screws, posted to Woking, Surrey, UK. Happy to pay international postage if necessary!

A few more details. Ally spare, toolkit untouched, full folder including the original bill of sale from local dealership and a genuine boot liner. Reminds me a lot of my old 52 plate manual allroad, but without the heft. Or the 2.5Tdi torque....

Inlet manifold motor repair

Introducing my new daily driver, 1 family owned and well cared for, a mere 77k on the odo. Basic-ish spec but hard-touch switchgear with climate is a joy to behold. Gearbox is really nice as you'd expect. Nice and economical for a petrol car, had a few niggles (APK inlet manifold "motor" and MAF) but running nicely after a 2 year layup. I have just done the cambelt whichbhad only done 11k but was 8 years old and alarmingly stretched, I could lift the pulley arm off the tensioner by hand!