Magnet

Hello Ken, Very sorry to hear about the accident, but being realistic, I’m not really surprised that your insurers are offering you a lower pay out than you would have expected. Two questions:- How much are they offering you? How does this figure compare with the estimated value listed on the comparison website (that you may have used to obtain insurance-?). If you didn’t use a comparison website, try it today and see what estimated value comes up. You don’t tell us what damage has occurred, and whether this damage would be repairable - by yourself? Where I’m coming to is to accept an offer for the salvage, and use the payout to fund the repair. Your situation is a salutary lesson to all those who cherish an over 20 year old car - insure it on an agreed value basis Classic car policy, where you will be paid out that value which was agreed. This type of insurance comes with certain limitations ( just ask if you want further detail ) but alway a worthwhile consideration. Perhaps you can come back to us with some more detail Ken. Kind regards, Gareth.

Possibly best to have Susan’s insurance offer before progressing?

Hello Andrew, It’s the thermostat for the whole engine coolant system. Yes, as stated, unless the coolant is up to 90 degrees, you aren’t going to get maximum warmth out of the heater. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Tony, Have you tried the ‘How many left’ search. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Andrew, I’d go straight for a new thermostat. It probably goes without saying that if the coolant isn’t reaching its ‘normal’ 90 degrees operating temperature, then you aren’t running hot coolant through the heater matrix, so cannot expect hot air from the vents. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Susan, How much have your insurers offered you, and what damage has been caused by the accident? Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks for your further observations John. As has been said, the forum cannot defend the lack of response, and regrettably I/we cannot suggest ways of encouraging more ‘sharing of information’. It seems a high % of forum-joining members, do so because they have queries they wish to have resolved, and at the risk of upsetting, some are yet to learn the principles of please and thank you, but it is what it is. You might get non-quest-for help posts, stating that they have had performance boosts carried out, or fancy wheels fitted, but indeed any posts relating to likes and dislikes of the standard features are few and far between. I think comparing Lexus and Jaguar forum responses with the Audi forum responses is not that much of a like for like comparison, but yes, of interest. Our dog used to lay on her back with all paws in the air when some wrong doing had occurred, and I think John we, the unpaid-near-the-helm have openly done that. What more can we do?? I think I recall asking you for your ideas for improvement John, in one of my earlier posts - we still welcome your ideas that would lead to a better interchange. Many thanks again and kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks David, Price? - as opposed to ‘offers’.

Photos, details, price, David?

Hello Ivan, Welcome and thanks for joining. Obviously your choice, but it might be worth considering that you are significantly altering the originality of this 5 year old car, and that is likely to lead to suspicion if you intend selling it within the next couple of years. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Mohammed, so at least you now know you can obtain insurance before you commit to buy. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Nick. Interested in the ‘only one person’ scam. For the benefit of anyone selling a vehicle - what is the principle of the scam? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mohammed, ‘About to bite the bullet’.. is good, and it is almost a must to get insurance quotes ( hopefully you can, as opposed to companies declining to quote), before you actually commit to buy. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks for the additional information Christopher. Apologies for the confusion over the dip stick - did mention ‘used to’. Oil dilution may indeed be the reason why this engine may have suffered from premature bore/ring wear. Sorry to be pedantic and ask more questions, but ‘serviced to manufacturer’s spec….’ Would this have been on a Longlife schedule by any chance, where the oil was changed c every 18k? If so, this bad experience may point to the benefits of at least annual changes, and dare I say every 6months, where oil dilution raises its head. Kind regards, Gareth.

Fair do s as we say in these parts - pretty good then - and Thomas knows where to come then. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks for the useful information Cristian. You can of course service ‘To the schedule’ or you can decide to service in such a way as to maximise the longevity of the car. My (DIY) regime is simple:- oil and filter every year, air and pollen filters every other year. Does the garage you use have the facility to record their work on to the VAG service system? Do you know what brand filters they use? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Cristian, Could you let us know what your annual mileage is, whether you are going to entrust the servicing to an Audi main dealer, trusted local garage, or are you DIYing it? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Jason, Ever tried to remove the saddle clamp bolts a 14 year old one of these on your back? Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome Stason. Sorry to hear about your unfortunate mishap, and for the bird’s demise. The part should simply clip back in, but no doubt you will need to respray the new part before fitting. Doubtful the main dealer will have an aerosol ( probably brush- on) touch up only, but armed with the correct colour code, you should find an automotive paint supplier who can mix you an aerosol. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome and thanks for joining Grant. AudI specialists diagnosis sounds the most likely suspect. Kind regards, Gareth.

So why can’t you get the old one off Tam?

Why would you want to do that Thomas? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Christopher, Culprit likely to be worn piston rings, allowing compression to feed back into the crankcase. Used to check for that by partially removing the dip stick and observing any back pressure. What is the maintenance history of this vehicle? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Dale, Check for fractured wires in the flexible harness section twixt body and tailgate. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks and welcome Ian, Unfortunately you now know that what you have read about being able to listen and detect which of the sensors is at fault, ‘ain’t necessarily so’. You are likely to find there wasn’t anything wrong with the module, but there is with one of the sensors. Which one? Try diagnostics this time, but sit down when enquiring about the Audi sensor price. Have a look on EBay. Kind regards, Gareth.