October 2006
Hi
I would just like to share my observations on servicing my 2001 A4 TDi 130 for the first time.
I bought my oil and air filter from an Audi dealer along with some mirror glass as for some reason my passenger side mirror was fitted with glass with no heater elements.
I got PD 505.00 505.01 oil as I intend am not into variable servicing and long life oils at the best of times, but especially as the sump only takes 3.8 - 4l of oil. I intend to service the car every 5k or maybe 10k miles, I have not yet decided.
This was the first time I had changed an element style oil filter as opposed to the more common (in my humble experience) screw on all in one type. I was interested to find the oil filter on top of the engine under the silver engine trim beside what looks like the fuel filter. I now appreciate why the Audi parts man was trying to sell me the fuel filter too?.. Along with screen wash and pollen filter to add an extra £50 to my bill. Maybe net time, but I still don?t think I will be buying their screen wash :o)
The oil filter top was mustard to try to get off. I ended up buying a removal tool from Halfords for £4.99. It is a cap that fits over the top and picks up the 14 flats. With a socket set ratchet on the tool it was still tough enough to remove. I doubt I would have got it off without damaging it without the filter removal tool. Chain whips etc were just not working on it.
It took me a while to locate where the replacement O rings should go. They both appear to be on the plastic shaft that goes down through the middle of the element filter. I did not replace them this time but will do it next time.
There was a vacuum hose that runs up the left hand side of the head and around the back of a silvery cap thing that protrudes through the silver engine cover trim. It had been rubbing due to engine vibe on the silver cap and had worn trough. I replace the ~1m long pipe which went to something else mounted low on the left wing under the air intake trunking? Any idea what this vacuum line does?? I will be interested to see if it makes any difference to the performance or fuel economy of the car.
The air filter is difficult to remove unless you disconnect the circular trunking. I was surprised at the amount of leaves etc on the dirty side of the air cleaner box. I guess this is due to the direct nature of the air path from the front grill to the air cleaner box.
The drain plug is on the side of the sump pan with a decent fall to allow the old oil to drain out. It is a decent 19mm sump bolt, not any silly torx etc.
The oil filter housing did not seem to have an in and an out, I would be interested to find out how it worked.
I am guessing the net time will be much quicker now I know what I am doing.
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Hi fellas
I am in desperate need of an oil filler cap for my motor.
Anyone know of anywhere in Manchester area I could get one from besides the main dealers?
Do any company make universal ones that I could pick up from a motorists spares shop?
Many thanks. Read more
Halfords sell them. Plenty of K-series engines in scrapyards too, so take your pick.
This morning central locking worked fine.
Drove to football locked it no problem. Came back to car it wouldn't work. So i thought battery had gone in key, changed battery still wouldn't work. But doing it manually the alarm goes off, but it doesn't sound just lights flash and a small noise inside the car.
Anyone any ideas what could be wrong???
Cheers Read more
I was having a look and i thought it might be something to do with the alam.
But i'll try porsche-1.net cheers
Does anyone have any experience of using biofuel in a Nissan Pathfinder. The handbook says not to do it but I have just read that a company in Oxford is converting Nissan Navara's (which have the same engine as the Pathfinder) to run on neat bio-fuel - a mixture of rape and soya oil.
Is there a good reason why you shouldn't use biofuel or are Nissan just being luddite's? Read more
I've read a few tales of drivers with modern diesel engines using pure biofuel and ending up with very expensive repairs to injectors and pumps. If the Oxford company are willing to be responsible for replacement of damaged parts due to prolonged use of their product then go ahead, I personally would avoid using any fuel which is not as per the handbook or up to the relevant standard.
Whenever a car is shown running on pure biodiesel or chip fat it's always a very old diesel car with old fashioned mechanical pump technology under the bonnet.
Another good column today.
Re the correspondant with Skoda (a 1.9 so presumably a TDi) talking about oil usage and HJ's comment about VAG stopping the use of recycled oil for the running in period. I guess VAG dont use "running in" oil in the PD engines because they need a specific oil spec for sake of the health of the unit injector pumps. Is there is any evidence of high oil consumption with PD engines compared to early non PD TDis that may have had a fill of recycled "running in" oil from new?. Read more
>>off Cheddar's original post but I hope he
doesn't mind as this whole issue is of interest.
No problem. The use of running in oil makes sense, not only in VAG engined cars clearly, however PD pumps etc seem to prohibit this, just wondered if there have been other implications.
hi everyone can anyone help?im after finding a cd to run sat nav for my vectra fitted with siemens ndcd 2013. does anyone have a copy? or know where to get a copy? many thanks jim
{Contact details removed, as *could* be deemed free advertising, which we don't allow - DD} Read more
I think the ebay link is for later models, but all types are on there most of the time.
SWMBO has a mondeo Mk2, 1999.
I have just had to change the front side light due to a blown bulb. When I switch the lights on, there is a fast, clicking sound from the back of the lights. It comes from under the light plastic cover. It appears to be from a black plastic housing of some sort at the back of the bulbs. A couple of wires go to the housing. It is the near side of the car so access is terrible due to the position of the Battery and Fuses.
Any idea what this is, or the clicking sound. It seems to go all the time the lights are on. It carried on with the new bulb. Is it serious. I have tried to wiggle it around but it didnt stop.
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Thanks for the replies, sorry for delay, I went on Holday.
It seems to have stopped so I will leave for now and see if it restarts.
Once again many thanks for your replies.
Mercedes Benz World at Brooklands in Surrey opens next weeked - 28th October
tinyurl.co.uk/jo9m
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF > Read more
... Brooklands in Surrey opens next weeked - 28th October
another reason to avoid the area then, at all wekends but specially next wekend. ( i wonder how long they will keep it free, after all the cars, circuits, exhibits and attractions get trashed by vandals or by "top-gear" style driving ).
as it is, roads around st.georges hill are congested whenever there is a weekend event at brooklands.
Ive got a rover 620 sdi, M reg. The factory fitted alarm seems to be throwing tantrums. It randomly goes off and Im not sure why. Ive had to disconnect the horn for now but its gonna kill the battery with the indicators.
Ive tried locking the car by key so that the inetrior sensors are disabled but no change so I can rule out movement to the car which leaves me with an electrical pull somewhere. Has anyone any idea where to start checking or things likely to cause this? Read more
Check to make sure the tailgate switch is shutting the boot light off,possible wire break in the rubber pipe between tailgate and body?
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Steve
I need an exhaust (box and rear pipe) for my 1996 2.5 litre petrol jeep. Apparently these are 'dealer only' and cost the earth The exhaust for the 4.0 litre is available from factors... and fairly cheap. They look the same to me. Does anyone know if they are the same? or if the 4.0 L exhaust can be modified to fit the 2.5L?
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For those who responded, or were interested...An Update....I bought a nice cheap exhaust for the 4.0 litre (6 cyl) and it fitted my 2.5 litre (4 cyl) without any modification at all.
Browse
Very easy. There are several very obvious 1/2 turn fixings across the front and 3 towrds the back of hte from piece. You need a large flat screw driver or even a 2p would do the job by the looks of it. Re fitting is also very easy, jst hook the font bit under the bumper, and secure the back in place before working your way around the rest of the fixings.