the rainking_jake's b6 a4 avant s-line

[therainking_jake]

Hi folks,

Been lurking on the forums for a few months but have now signed up. I've had my a4 for a few months now....sold my aircooled beetle and mk3 golf to 'upgrade' to something a bit more modern and to try and save on the costs of having 2 cars on the road at once. Still think the a4 is costing me more than the 2 put together but its a great car so worth it!

My old cars;

Golf (16V GTi)

Bug (1600, EMPI's, Rake!)

The A4 is totally standard at the moment. One of the reasons I went for it is that I can't think of any other cars that look as good fresh from the factory, especially in avant S-line trim. Wasn't really looking for a red one but this one came up at just the right time and everything else was spot on. Now that I have got used to it I much prefer the red than any other colour on them!

It's given me a few problems this week...both seem to be common faults though so should get sorted easily enough. Coolant leak from bleed valve screw thing and wiper mechanism seized this morning! Replacement screw ordered, not sure if the spindle on wiper mechanism can be loosened or replacement required?

Plans; Cambelt and water pump replacement, wheel refurb, remap and maybe slight lowering...then just going to enjoy!

At Grey Mares Tail after 'spirited' and dirty drive

Looking a bit more respectable and clean!

Cheers
Jake

 

[jbcalvin]

Welcome to the forum,

Sweet looking s-line, I desparately wanted a red one, but could only find a silver one when I bought mine....

Are the RS6 wheels original or replica's?

Judging by your previous 2 cars, let the modding begin....

 

[quattrojames]

Welcome to the forum, nice looking car!

I imagine the RS6 wheels are oem as that's what was fitted to the S-Line B6's.

If you look in the DIY guides sticky you'll find lots of interest, plus a pictorial guide to refurbishing your wiper motor mechanism

 

[Avant4me]

Looks like a sport to me, didn't think S-line began until the B7 facelift. Nice car though just the same.

 

[quattrojames]

The last of the B6's were fitted with some cosmetic additions, and the 1.8T 190 and badged as S-Lines.

 

[therainking_jake]

Cheers guys,

jbcalvin - yep the RS6 wheels are OEM on the B6 s-lines.

quattrojames - i've already printed off your guide for sorting the wiper mechanism! Look very comprehensive so sure it will be a great help. Do you know if most people manage to get the seized spindle working again or do they have to buy the replacement mechanism? Went to Edinburgh Audi today but they want 80 odd quid for the part so would rather avoid the cost if I can!

avant4me - as quattrojames says the last of the B6's came in a 190 s-line edition, mine is definately registered on the V5 as a 190 S-line. Other forum members probably know a lot more than me but differences seem to be RS6 style wheels, door blades and half leather interior. Also not sure if the sports came with the same bumpers that mine has but they are definately different to those on the basic B6 A4's.

Cheers
Jake

 

[audigeezA4]

nice looking car mate- it does stand out in red- interesting you guys are talking about wipers seizing- mines just done it this evening!!! aaarghh, however, i just had the water deflector at the bottom of the windscreen replaced by audi last week, i am sure they had to mess with the wipers, i will call them tomorrow but can anyone advise whether they will say unrelated- sorry not our fault?? but they were working perfectly fine before.......

 

[jbcalvin]

Nice to see another Scot on here!

The front bumper is an s-line version, most people try to do this as a conversion along with the door blades and twin exit rear valance.... I did toy with this but have decided to go the S4 route....

Plenty of advice to be found on the forum, I should know!

 

[therainking_jake]

Plenty of advice to be found on the forum, I should know!

Yeah the advice is what made me join up really! Was looking for info on my wipers and found quattrojames' guide and realised how much advice is available on the forums. Hope I don't have too many other problems to deal with but always handy having a group of like minded enthusiasts you can ask for help.

Cheers
Jake

 

[quattrojames]

Do you know if most people manage to get the seized spindle working again or do they have to buy the replacement mechanism?

Other forum members probably know a lot more than me but differences seem to be RS6 style wheels, door blades and half leather interior. Also not sure if the sports came with the same bumpers that mine has but they are definately different to those on the basic B6 A4's.

Most people can free up the existing mechanism I think, it takes varying degrees of work and maybe some heat to do it if its really bad though. Try GSF or Trade Parts Specialists if you've one near you and you might get a better price.

From late 2003 all Sport models were fitted with the same front and rear as yours, externally S-Lines and these Sports are the same except for the wheels and rear door badges. The interior differences are as you said, plus door shut trims, and perforated leather steering wheel and gear gaiter. S-Line on the V5 is what you want to see!

 

[quattrojames]

i will call them tomorrow but can anyone advise whether they will say unrelated- sorry not our fault?? but they were working perfectly fine before.......

In fairness to Audi it won't be their fault, its more likely that due to the dry couple of months you've not used the wipers much and they've seized up. Its very common. At least you know the water deflectors going to come out ok!

 

[T0m]

Cheers guys,

jbcalvin - yep the RS6 wheels are OEM on the B6 s-lines.

quattrojames - i've already printed off your guide for sorting the wiper mechanism! Look very comprehensive so sure it will be a great help. Do you know if most people manage to get the seized spindle working again or do they have to buy the replacement mechanism? Went to Edinburgh Audi today but they want 80 odd quid for the part so would rather avoid the cost if I can!

avant4me - as quattrojames says the last of the B6's came in a 190 s-line edition, mine is definately registered on the V5 as a 190 S-line. Other forum members probably know a lot more than me but differences seem to be RS6 style wheels, door blades and half leather interior. Also not sure if the sports came with the same bumpers that mine has but they are definately different to those on the basic B6 A4's.

Cheers
Jake

Jake you shouldnt need to get any parts for your wipers, I did mine the other day stripped them down and ok it was a ****** to get the spindle out of the housing but a vice and a bit of force twisting it left to right as well as pushing down and it should come out there will be no need to get any parts just clean the exisitng ones up and grease it all and it should be fine.

One trick it is awkawrd to get the mechanism out tip pop off the arms and you'll see the rods are connected to the motor at the centre position pop them off and it will help give you just enough room to get the motor etc out.

Id give you a hand but your too far away!

Tom

 

[therainking_jake]

Jake you shouldnt need to get any parts for your wipers, I did mine the other day stripped them down and ok it was a ****** to get the spindle out of the housing but a vice and a bit of force twisting it left to right as well as pushing down and it should come out there will be no need to get any parts just clean the exisitng ones up and grease it all and it should be fine.

One trick it is awkawrd to get the mechanism out tip pop off the arms and you'll see the rods are connected to the motor at the centre position pop them off and it will help give you just enough room to get the motor etc out.

Id give you a hand but your too far away!

Tom

Thanks for the advice Tom.
Cheers
Jake

 

[audigeezA4]

In fairness to Audi it won't be their fault, its more likely that due to the dry couple of months you've not used the wipers much and they've seized up. Its very common. At least you know the water deflectors going to come out ok!

thanks for your response james- its just annoying that i fix one thing and another breaks.....lol. by the way i did check your slow wiper fix, maaannn, i would have to be a surgeon to do all that...so respect to you, guess its back to audi as its a bit awkard trying to see through rain on my windscreen...
ps, would using a little 3 in 1 spray or similar be wishful thinking??????

 

[therainking_jake]

thanks for your response james- its just annoying that i fix one thing and another breaks.....lol. by the way i did check your slow wiper fix, maaannn, i would have to be a surgeon to do all that...so respect to you, guess its back to audi as its a bit awkard trying to see through rain on my windscreen...
ps, would using a little 3 in 1 spray or similar be wishful thinking??????

I know the feeling about just fixing 1 thing then something else breaking! Rain-x plus wd40 has been my answer to keep me going this week but from what I have read it seems that something like 3 in 1 might sort them for a while but they really need stripped down to do a proper fix.
Jake

 

[audigeezA4]

I know the feeling about just fixing 1 thing then something else breaking! Rain-x plus wd40 has been my answer to keep me going this week but from what I have read it seems that something like 3 in 1 might sort them for a while but they really need stripped down to do a proper fix.
Jake

yeah, short term fixes are just that- i must admit though that without this site i would have probably been pulling my hair out thinking i bought a dudd car, so a little comfort to know that there are quite a few common issues and good to know that guys on here can and will fix themselves and then share the results and tips- which is great and obviously what its all about.

 

[quattrojames]

I used WD40 with some success for a few weeks until I had the opportunity to take the mechanism out. I think it all depends how bad the mechanism is, mine was slowing rather than seized.