Magnet

Thanks Hamza, Mechanic…, ‘……new water pump was so good it cleared the pipe and created a clog’. Sorry to be blunt, but what a load of rubbish! Kind regards, Gareth

Pardon my ignorance Mr. F, but where is MOB?

Hello Russell, I would be surprised if it’s not an AGM battery, so if you are going down the road of buying a charger to top it up, then it would be false economy not to buy the proper ‘intelligent’ charger which would be necessary to charge any now-normal AGM battery in the future - not so cheap. If it were mine, I would just ignore the low warning light if the car is going to be used for a reasonable daily journey - if it starts, it starts. When it doesn’t - you are in trouble. It maybe worth pointing out that inefficient batteries are likely to start throwing up other warning lights - until you get to the stage of a ‘Christmas tree warning light’ display. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Russell, Sounds a classic case of a failing battery, and yes, you could trickle charge it with a bought- in charger, but the battery is going to let you down sooner than later. Do you know how old the battery is? If it were mine, I would be investing in a new good quality battery before the weather gets much colder. I’ve recently bought Exide batteries at very competitive prices from Tayna Batteries. Just go on EBay and find their listings, send them a message with your reg. no. and they will confirm suitability. You could go to their website and do it that way, but they are likely to quote you for their (generally more expensive) Enduroline. They are usually postage free on EBay, and sometimes code SAVES8 gets you an extra 8% off. Highly likely the new battery will need coding to the car. I never buy batteries on price, and always go for brands with 4 or 5 year warranties, since these vehicles are highly dependent on efficient batteries. Perhaps you could let us know what you think Russell, and how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mike, Did you buy this as a genuine VAG part? If so, it’s usual that the gasket is available as a separate part. Even if it is an aftermarket part, I think the only positive way forward would be enquire about a gasket by visiting your nearest Audi dealer Parts. Dept. Perhaps you can come back to us with an update. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Aaron, Pardon my ignorance, but by ‘Exclusive’ does that actually mean you can chose any (in caps) non-standard colour? Appreciating that would be a tall order, but I feel I have to ask. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Colin, We had Haynes workshop manuals in the U.K., and these were very comprehensive and well illustrated, and likely to have been in publication to cover 1997. It would be well worth doing a search on EBay U.K. Appreciate these are proper book manuals and postage might be substantial, but at least you should be able to get a copy. Good luck and kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Aaron, Where did you find this photo? Kind regards, Gareth.

So now you had 40 + 60 Nm = 100Nm pre angle torque. Now you have. 30 + 50 Nm = 80 Nm pre angle torque. Um …?

Thanks Dave, Do you know who the manufacturer of the gaskets and head bolts are, as opposed to the EBay? supplier? I’m sure you will be aware that gasket manufacturers include brands such as Reinz, Payen, etc. so you know what you are buying, along with many other ‘unbranded’ ones. Going to take your torque source as read, or double check at specialist? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello David, Many thanks for joining, and welcome. Where are you picking up your settings and diagram from? In other words, is the source considered reliable. 2005 may just still come under Haynes manuals or similar. All I can say is that the values and tightening torques seem relatively logical, albeit I would have expected the the 1/4 turns to be rather more than that. Way forward:- Armed with a box of biscuits, call in to a trusted local VAG independent and ask advice there. They will have access to Autodata (or similar) on-line systems, which should give them the detail you want. ( Take your V5 Incase the VIN is needed). The only other important thing I would add, is how accurate is your torque wrench? I have a conventional larger one - from 20n. on, and I trust this with torques greater than say 50Nm. I also have a smaller precision one from about 10Nm and up to about 80, and although it’s a well branded make, and has had little use, I don’t really trust its accuracy on the lower torques, so…… In this colder weather, I would be tempted to torque to 40Nm of an evening, leave overnight, and torque to 60Nm the following morning. We take it you are using good quality new bolts. Perhaps you could come back to us David, and let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. All figures quoted as your list, but subject to your confirmation.

Welcome Merlin, Regrettably Sean hasn’t returned to the forum since the day he posted - nearly 4 years ago. Your best bet would be to send him a PM, in the hope he is still using the same e-mail address that he registered at that time. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Only question I would ask - how would you feel if they used ‘cheapest parts from their supplying motorfactors’ ? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Brad again, I can see you have also posted under an earlier thread, so it’s now best asked - what is wrong with your current gearbox? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Brad, Where have you tried so far? Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Manza, so what are you interpreting from all that?

Many thanks for the additional detail James. Simple things first:- If the last recorded oil and filter change was Jan.2022, then you will appreciate it’s now well overdue. Haldex service in Feb. 18. Again overdue. ( said to be done in 2021 is just that - no evidence-? ) Plugs? Due to be changed unless receipted evidence of being changed in the last 60k. Personally I’m not a fan of so called ‘up rated’ anything, but I just go for correct ones from good brands such as NGK. Same for upgraded coil packs. I’m sure you will appreciate that current component quality can fall short of what it used to be, so I just hang on to what is there and serviceable. Fuel filter at 100K - certainly yes, although I don’t think VAG specify a mileage/ age change limit. Believe your engine has belt rather than a chain -? If so, has this been renewed and receipted in the last 5 years? If no, this will be needed to be done. Aux. belt changed? If not, again needs renewing. In case it helps, I always use Quantum Longlife 3 oil ( was/still is? recommended by VAG). Try the most reliable sellers on EBay. Filters:- I use Mann or Bosch, and avoid ECP’s best! Belts:- I use Gates. My regime is to buy quality parts at best prices, rather than buy ‘what’s fit and cheap’. Good luck with your maintenance - sounds good. Are you going to do this work yourself James? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello John, Thanks for joining. So that members are better informed of what is involved and the reason for involvement, could you please let the forum know:- Why Audi in particular, as opposed to any marque of the period of interest? Why a C3 in particular? Location? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello George, I guess you will have anticipated that the only safe way out of this is to now scrap the wheel and replace it with a sound one. Just no point in playing around with lives and your insurance. Kind regards, Gareth.

OK thanks James. Could you perhaps have a look back through the paperwork then, and let us know what you find was done and when. Otherwise it’s a bit like ‘How long is a piece of string?’ and any suggestions may result in you spending money to renew parts which have already been changed in recent times. Kind regards, Gareth.

Very wise move I think Gaz. On the reciprocal, I did it in reverse! and found my ATS deal on Michelins a couple of weeks ago, and booked and paid for them for an arranged fitting on 4th Jan. since I didn’t want to miss the deal. Deals are obviously transient, so for me, it was just a case of checking daily -ish and jumping in when the deal suited me. Gary quoted Asda as being £200 a set cheaper than Halfords (owners of National Tyres), yet a couple of months ago a family member had a great deal on a set 4x4 Pirelli tyres from National Tyres - far cheaper than anywhere else. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome to the Audi Owners Club ! Good to have you onboard. Hello Paulo, This could be as simple as one of the lambda sensors giving wrong readings, air leak etc. etc. and affecting the fuel mixture. I think you will need to invest in a more comprehensive diagnosis if you are to avoid spending on replacing unnecessary components, and an emissions fail at MOT time. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello James, This is rather difficult to answer, since we don’t know anything about its service history to date. Could you please enlighten us on this so we can help you further. It would be useful to at least know how often it’s been serviced in say the last 5 years - listing dates, mileages, and what was done when. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Hamza, but I clearly understood your explanation of the symptoms from the start. Where I have difficulty is understanding how the thermostat was considered to be the culprit, when the coolant got up to operating temperature ( and maintained that temperature) quickly enough. My belief is that although they may have changed the thermostat, it has proved not to be the primary cause, and the problem was associated with some malfunction of the heat distribution system - now partially fixed. From what you now describe, although better, is still not totally fixed. No doubt you will be returning it, and perhaps you could keep us informed of the final outcome. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Danny, If it were mine, I would not be jumping to any non-tested assumptions. All of this maybe due to something as simple as a poor connection rather than the glow plugs themselves. I wouldn’t want to be rushing in and changing the glow plugs, until the car has been inspected. I would be doing a search for a trusted local diesel specialist, and getting the car assessed there. It might be worth asking for recommendations of where to go, at your local taxi ranks. These chaps need their cars sorted efficiently and quickly to maintain their income. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on Danny. Kind regards, Gareth.