Magnet

Last bit of advice still stands then.

Hello, Welcome, and thanks for joining. We take it the EML was on, and you then decided to change the plugs in the hope that that would permanently cure the problem. When you say ‘it was cleared after service’, do you mean the light went out on its own, or did you get it reset? Investing in a diagnostic check to establish the root cause is the way forward, otherwise you will end up throwing all sorts of parts at it. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Geoff, Glad you local garage were able to do the belt for you. Re. clutch:- unfortunately, it sounds like it’s due for a new clutch assembly by the symptoms you describe. Well worth getting the same garage to give you an opinion on this. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Nigel, I too would be concerned with the cracks, and would certainly follow sound advice and get it renewed along with the additional components mentioned. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Mark, Since this is the first time you have had to add ( probably about 1 litre) in 13.5 K miles from new, then I would say there is nothing abnormal about that. You will probably find that this consumption decreases at the next oil change. Of course if you find it needs more frequent topping up, then you will need that investigated at that time. It is clear from what you say, that the car is indeed on a Longlife service schedule which normally means around 18k or 18 months - whichever comes first - between services. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Bob, I would be taking this to a garage that specialises in diesel engines - even commercials. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mark, At what mileage did you last add oil, and how much did you add? Has the car been serviced yet, or is it on a Longlife servicing schedule? Kind regards, Gareth.

Please share with us how you fixed it Colm, so others with the same issue can benefit from your experience. Kind regards, Gareth.

Where have you tried Kevin?

Yes, apologies Ian, I understood the ‘great for advice’. I still can’t get me head around Audi building a gearbox weighing 20 stone for this car, but it sounds as if it is at least ‘blinking heavy’. Kind regards, Gareth.

I wouldn’t think that would be great - about the same weight as a 20 stone person! Who is going to lift that with you? Are we really sure it’s that heavy? Kind regards, Gareth.

Any comments on my points Marcin? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Joe, I wouldn’t be concerned about timing chain wear at 42K. At 100k -? and then the tensioner. Your annual mileage is around 15k? If so, I take it you don’t do much short trip mileage -? Servicing :- main dealer? Yes, you could go to the Longlife schedule, and some owners would probably say that would be fine. Me, I’m old school, and favour an oil change at around 10k, but it really depends on your longer term ownership plans. If you intend to change it in the next 3 years, then Longlife might be the way to go. If you are keeping it for longer, then it’s worth thinking about retaining your 10k change schedule. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Do you ‘use’ the stop/start? If so, beware that this significantly increases the stress on chains and belts, and other components. I guess you will gather that I’m very much averse to this system!

Hello Marcin, The overall diameter of the wheel plus tyre must come into this equation, so if you are fitting small diameter wheels, then the tyre profile must increase ( for the same wheel width). The object is is to retain the same overall diameter. There should be online calculators that will check compatibility for you. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Richard, Many thanks for joining, and being of a certain age, I sympathise with your need to give up driving - not a good day. Thanks for all the details. Could you please supplement this with your asking price ( as opposed to ‘offers’). Good luck in finding a good home for the car. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Rob, The fuse location, function and amps value is normally shown in the driver’s handbook - well at least used to be. Do you have copy, and have you checked? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Sandip, Welcome, and thanks for joining. Pending other direct replies, I would be wandering into a couple of small volume local car sales sites, and enquiring there. These folks depend on getting good value for money services, and I’d be surprised if they cannot help you out with a recommendation. If it works out for you, then I would always return with a box of biscuits to acknowledge their kindness. Let us know how you get on Sandip. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Alex, Welcome, and thanks for joining. I guess you have searched on line without success. Have you managed to source a Haynes manual? - which I would think would have been available for this year and model. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Kieran, If you are still on here - did you sort out your noise after? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Annemarie, Welcome, and thanks for joining. Good place to start would be EBay. You could also consider a better secondhand bonnet - again via. an EBay search and registering your ‘want’ on the car breaker websites such as Partsfinder - there are more. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Andy, some photos would be great. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Sarah, Incase no one comes forward on here with some suggested contacts, I would suggest you look up contact details for a local all-makes classic car club. All the advice and useful contacts should be there, which could range from and enthusiastic DIYer through to a trusted local commercial garage. Can we take it the car didn’t seriously overheat at the time the HG failed? Let’s hope not, since this can make the resultant work more extensive. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Michael, Have you tried listing on one of the car breaker websites, such as Partsfinder? I guess you are understandably avoiding buying new from Audi, but you could be effectively buying your own if buying secondhand. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Bri, To say it as I see it the +/- tolerance is correct only on the plus side, and I think your minus tolerance belief is based only on your assumption. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks indeed Stephen. Great stuff, and I’m sure it will be a great help to others who intend to tackle these jobs. Certainly a good and often overlooked tip is to replace the auxiliary belt at the same time. Thanks for reinforcing that recommendation. Only thing I would have added was to set the heater controls to max. heat before switching off - really an historical procedure on my part, and possibly not that relevant now-? Looking forward to Part 2. Kind regards, Gareth.