Magnet

That sounds good logic Garry. Good luck with finding it an appreciative home. Regards, Gareth.

Welcome Mahmood. Would anyone be able to help with a recommendation for Mahmood? Regards, Gareth.

Yes , Price?

Price Gary please? Personally, I would not put a telephone number on this open forum. Interested parties can contact you via. a PM. How long have you owned it Gary? Regards, Gareth.

Hello Frank, I completely understand the logic of why you wanted to DIY this - job satisfaction is indeed rewarding. The problem here is, you won’t be completely happy with the end result. If it was just a question of rubbing down some scratches, priming, and a couple of light coats of colour - just to make them look a bit better - then fine. Take some positives from it Frank, although it’s possible, you have found it’s not worth while. Regards, Gareth.

Good on you for trying Frank, but if you had asked for advice as to whether it was a worthwhile DIY job, then I think most responses would have been as Richard says. Whether you now continue or get them done is a big question, but perhaps pessimistic, there will likely be areas of some that you won’t be happy with - as thorough as you are. Regards, Gareth.

Ok. White smoke rather than blue would suggest water being burned. Does this car have an oil cooler by any chance? Does the temperature gauge reading alter - even just a little - when the heater is switched on? There are two questions which were asked, but you haven’t answered:- How much oil does this car use.? Please quantify - x litres in x miles. How often has the car been serviced during your 8 year ownership, and when was it last serviced? Regards, Gareth. p.s. ‘The guy above’ - his name is Clifford. What is your name ‘Jon 711e’ and where is your location in the U.K.?

Engine mountings?- for shaking. What make coil packs and plugs did you use?

I have a 2006 1.6 A3 which is now on c178K miles. Oil is changed annually and over 5k/annum doesn’t burn oil. As I understand it, the ‘skinny piston rings’ issue didn’t start until around 2008/9 so I’d be surprised if that is the issue. What colour is the smoke, and how much oil does it use in say 500 miles. What is the service history like on the car, and how long have you owned it? Using your Rislone? Never seen the stuff, and certainly wouldn’t use if before you answer the above questions.

Thanks Mohammed, I would seriously suggest you’d find another mechanic, or gearbox specialist. Regards, Gareth.

Any comments Arron?

Hello Russell Might be well worth searching for brokers who deal with UKI. Regards, Gareth.

Good question Richard. Do you have the same issue? The OP hasn’t returned to the forum for 1 month. Regards, Gareth.

Hello Alan, Is this suitable? Maybe, but my recommendation was for Gates - not had any experience of this manufacturer. Have you sourced a supplier of Gates yet? Length? Sorry no idea, you would have to measure the existing one. Regards, Gareth.

Welcome Sergiu, What is the actual issue with your alternator? Does the car have full (Audi) history, with no services missed on not carried out on time? Have you read the ‘small print’ in your Extended Warranty’ which usually allows them to get out from under a snakes belly with a top hat on!? Current mileage? Regards, Gareth.

Hello Allan, Gates are the manufacturer and not the supplier to the public. If you go into EBay you will find a number of sellers selling this hose. ACS is just one. Another company worth looking at would be Parts in Motion ( Exeter). They are motor factors and supply moulded/ bent Gates hoses for a number of vehicles. Kind regards, Gareth.

As would be air filter changes.

Oops! Wrong tree barked up. Fair point made re you are happy to put your trust in them, and that’s all that matters. Just as a matter of interest, is your vehicle still running on its 8 year old air filter? Audi were only changing it when it reached 45K.

Hello Edi, How old is the battery? Have you had it checked under load conditions? When you say you have tried a new battery, was that a ‘new,new’ battery, or a used one, and what battery is currently fitted? Have you checked the engine earths? Regards, Gareth.

Comes under the polite heading of ‘Oh blinking heck’ - if I’m following the correct logic. For 1 oil and filter change, 1 oil and pollen filter, and two MOTs, Audi are extracting almost £1,400 from your wallet over 2 years ( with £695 taken in advance). For that privilege they won’t even change your air filter without charging you extra! Personally, I would need gas and air, but perhaps I’ve got a very distorted comparison of getting the same work done on this 8 year old vehicle at a trusted local garage. It would be interesting to hear what others think of this -? Regards, Gareth.

Thanks Pauline, For the benefit of others, could I ask how much a month this plan works out at?

Sorry to hear that Reg, Re. air bag light- get yourself an aerosol of contact cleaner, move the seat back as far as possible and squirt the contact cleaner on all the electrical plugs you can find under there. Do not ( in biggest caps!) disconnect anything - simply spray and wiggle the plugs. Hood warning light? Not sure about that, but could well be to do with something you have disturbed within the door/ flexible harness. Regards, Gareth. Reset? would have thought the car was to early for that.

Thanks Pauline, When you say you have taken out a 2 year service plan ( with Audi main dealer), can we take it that is for a service contract and does/doesn’t include warranty cover? How many services do you get for that during the 2 years, and at what mileage intervals? At what intervals (mileage) has the car been serviced at Audi over the last 4 years? Regards, Gareth.

Thanks Allan, Wondering if 8mm ID fuel hose might do - make sure it's S.A.E J30 R9 ( the R9 higher pressure rating is important ). I understand the well respected Gates now do a braided version, so well worth searching that out. Please let us know how you get on. Regards, Gareth.

Hello Pauline, When you say ‘Audi garage have been good…’ would I be correct in thinking the car has been serviced/ repaired by an Audi main dealer during your ownership? If so, you would have been paying far over the odds, to maintain this now 8 year old vehicle, and its long overdue to find either a trusted local independent, or local garage to maintain it from here on in. What mileage has it now covered, and what is your typical annual mileage? Regards, Gareth.