Magnet

Many thanks for coming back on this Peter, and I think we can agree that this can be concluded as ‘car is fine, driver expectations exceed normal driving style’. Kind regards, Gareth.

So, does it work now?

So are you going to book it in or not Derek, so you can get a definitive report on this?

Probably a sticky solenoid Bri. Open the flap by whatever means works, and you should see the plunger which locks the flap. Squirt some WD40 around it, and gently wiggle. It might also be worth removing the boot inner panel and spray some from that direction. Still problematic? - renew solenoid. Could you please come back to us and let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Peter, Could we get back to first principles, and gather a little more detail:- Tyre pressures used? Matching tyre brands, patterns and tread depth on each axle, and hopefully all around? Mileage -to better judge why one rear shock absorber needed to be renewed? Renewed by who? Why both weren’t renewed at the same time? Brand of replacement, if not renewed by an Audi dealer? Has the car been inspected for acceptable steering and suspension wear? Has the wheel alignment been checked - and perhaps adjusted - recently? How you would best describe your diving style - ‘normal just getting there’, slightly enthusiastic > very enthusiastic? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks for completing your profile Grace, and for filling in the necessary background detail, and it’s pleasing you have already had progressive advice. I don’t want to hijack the thread, but I think there are a couple of confusing remarks, which would be useful to clarify:- ‘…..garage then decided to fit slave cylinder….’ So are you saying that the slave cylinder was not replaced initially when the remaining clutch components were renewed? Can you establish from the garage, what make of clutch parts were used? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mr. Smart, Would you please take a little of your time to complete your profile properly, in the hope that fellow forum members will be prepared to spend their valuable time to try to help you. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Brian, It’s now a week since you posted your rather meaningless for-sale advert for your winter tyres - without the essential sizes - and you don’t seem to have found time to return and add that requested detail. Would you now like us to remove the advert?

As said Simon, I would (forget the MMI and ) just get the oil and filter changed once a year. If you’ve done 7K since you have owned it, why not invest in an oil and filter change now, rather than adding a litre of oil every month? What oil - grade and brand - are you using every month? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Simon, Hello Simon, ’…..serviced every time the car says it needs it….’ So what are the usual alert times/ mileages when it says it needs servicing? Possibly out to 18 months/ 18K miles-? If it were mine, it would be getting annual services at that usage. Adding 1 litr. at 1,000 mile intervals ( less than 500 miles/pint) is rather heavier on oil consumption than I would have expected. What mileage has it covered, how long have you had it, and what’s the previous service history like? Possibly just an assumption on my part, but I’m finding it difficult to compute the logic, that guarantees this car would use less oil if this engine oil was used. Since you are now topping up with 12 litres of oil/annum, (expensive) I suppose you could give this a try. Let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Don’t try Graham unless you have an adequate range of plastic trim removal tools - should be available on EBay or Amazon. Gently, gently would be my approach, ‘teasing’ the crease slowly. If you have to push the trim tools down behind the panel ( as I think you will) strongly masking tape a length cord to the top to retrieve the tool in case of difficulties! Good luck, and let us know how you get on, and stop feeding that son extra Weetabix! - otherwise you are going to end up with a ‘one careful owner - x careless children’ vehicle. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Danny, Sorry your enquiry went without response. To offer any meaningful replies to your valid question of ‘adequate fit ability’ were your 3rd party ones Thule? If so, this would have been the aftermarket make I would have suggested. If they were, then I fear you may struggle to find better, and genuine VAG might have to be the answer. If your aftermarket weren’t Thule, then it’s well worth investigating whether you discontents with what you now have, do/don’t apply to Thule. Apologies again for the forum’s lack of an earlier response. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. If you have to go the genuine Audi route, try Phil at Audi Parts Direct at Cardiff ( part of Mon Motors - originally Cardiff Audi). Phil might do you a bit of discount and mail order.

Welcome Graham and thanks for joining. Oops! Strong and persistent young lad you have there! Although the panel buckling damage appears significant, it should be possible to minimise/eliminate this via. warming the damaged area with a hair dryer, and carefully easing it back into shape with manipulation aided by plastic trim lever tools. The ideal would be to remove the whole panel to do this, but they are often reluctant to come off unless you know exactly where they are clipped - otherwise broken clips! I think your best expectation would be damage limitation rather than elimination, depending how confident you are with carrying out the above. Let us know what you think Graham. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Dennis, Also consider the possibility of the tubing having broken at the tailgate junction, or similar (usually during a cold spell) and water now being sprayed within the tailgate. Of course, well worth checking that fluid does perhaps get to the jet - as has been suggested- to eliminate the likely chances that it’s just a blocked jet issue. Perhaps you would let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Apologies Simon, but regrettably, I cannot offer any advice on this from a personal experience point of view. Unless I’m confusing this with another older product, this used to be sold as an oil additive in the days when I had hair. Possibly now an actual oil brand-? If so, my only comment would be, is that I’ve always stuck with VAG’s oil brand - Quantum - to good effect over many years, and I really don’t see me departing from that regime, along with good quality (generally German) branded filters. The claim ‘… hugh difference to his oil consumption…..’ seems odd, since generally vehicles subjected to regular oil changes don’t have such an issue ( certain years, and component design changes excluded). What will be your anticipated annual mileage Simon, and what will be your servicing routine? Sorry I can’t help you more with this. Kind regards, Gareth.