Stop the clock...Start the thread-My baby is home

[tcg]

It just keeps giving you that 'itch that needs scratching'

Or to be precise with my S3,it's an itch that gives you a scratch.The rubbish plastic 'chrome' top to the gearstick has been annoying me for some time now where it had chipped and was catching my hand.

Not wanting to spend any more than needed,I decided to do a bit of 'make do and mend'.The leather had also gone on the top...

Luckily I did a complete re-colouring of the leather seats in my last car so still had some of the chemicals needed,just had to get some black leather dye...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-ml-Lea...hash=item3f6539d124:m:mJbnGHiMDSgkw9_79FvRDqg

Did the re-colouring,scraped off the 'chrome' ring and slapped on a coat of Humbrol Red Enamel.Still looks a bit rough but doesn't feel rough to the touch now

 

[Stuart B]

I'm loving you can return to the cosmetics with you car.

 

[tcg]

I'm loving you can return to the cosmetics with you car.

Plenty of more important/necessary jobs to do still but they involve money and motivation,something rarely found round my gaff at present

 

[tcg]

Not sure if @Stuart B has put his Hoggy on a hot wash,even so I think he may have overestimated it's value...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-18-diec...153279?hash=item2381a8697f:g:lKQAAOSw4A5YoLxZ

 

[Tj 0785]

After contacting Turbo Techincs they have quoted me either upwards of £150+vat for repair,if possible,or £300+vat for a standard replacement off the shelf unit so I think that will be the one I will go for

Phoned these today quoted me £550 for a replacement won't do exchange unit as they're always cracked and unusable when they get them

 

[tcg]

That's strange mate,I spoke to a guy called Ryan Edwards (Phone: +44 1604 705050 (Option 1 Turbo Sales)) at Turbo Technics...

http://www.turbotechnics.com/

He was very helpful and he charged me £360 and I didn't have to pay a surcharge and didn't have to return my old one as exchange.

Are you sure that was price was for a standard replacement and not a hybrid replacement?

 

[Tj 0785]

Yeah standard ko4, I remember you saying that that's why i phoned them im stockpiling gear so wanted to get a new turbo ideally without exchange because I don't know when it will actually be fitted just wanted it there ready with the full exhaust and all the bolts n gaskets so when I decent engine comes up I'm good to go

 

[tcg]

I've just e-mailed Ryan at Turbo Technics with this message...

Hi Ryan,

Don’t panic mate, my turbo is still running fine.

It’s just that as you and your service was so good, I posted about it on my thread on the Audi-Sport.net S3 8L forum. I’ve had a ‘mate’ member contact me that he had been quoted a price of £550 for a standard K04 replacement turbo with no exchange unit from Turbo Technics.

As that was way over what I paid, I just wanted to know if that’s correct.

Be grateful if you could confirm the correct price, just trying to help out a fellow S3 owner.

Thanks in advance,

Tim.

Hopefully he'll come back to me tomorrow with an explanation, or even a better price, worth a try.

 

[Tj 0785]

Ha cheers be interesting to see what he says also spoke to aet they would do exchange regardless if it's cracked for £360+vat. You've been quiet, is no news good news I take it finally getting to enjoy it

 

[tcg]

You've been quiet, is no news good news I take it finally getting to enjoy it

No news is good news,the car is running fine,it's just that this may seem that I may come across as 'the enemy within' but it doesn't give me the buzz that I hoped it would,just a hot hatch alongside loads of other one's on the road.

I read many threads on here and still can't get my head round how much time,money and effort you guys plough into your S3's.I don't have that same addiction and don'y think I ever will with my S3.I have spent far too much money on my car and there are still many jobs to get it to the state I would be happy with.

It's looking like my dog is entering the last year or so of his life so when he goes to the big dog bed in the sky I will reassess whether to 'stick or twist' on the S3.

Enough of my rant,back to your turbo quote.I had this reply from Ryan at turbo Technics...

Depends what engine code it was,

I did speak to a gentleman yesterday that sounds familiar but had to be a slightly rarer spec plus I only have OE new ones in stock at around that price not my built units as im waiting on my castings to arrive to build TT new ones.


Probably where the difference is.

If his turbine housing isn't cracked on the wastegate hole I can more than likely rebuild his unit if he wanted to send it in to me no problem


Glad to hear everything is good with you and appreciate the mention on Audi-Sport!


If he needs me only has to ask for me,

Don't know if that's any help to you mate,hope so.

 

[Tj 0785]

Ok cheers I will look in to it when I get the engine out.
Its hard to love something when it gives you so much grief

 

[tcg]

Its hard to love something when it gives you so much grief

And you're in a worse situation than me,aren't you mate?

At least mine is up and running,where are you with yours?

 

[Tj 0785]

I got the dash done rnse fitted 8p gear knob fitted I've pick up next week a miltek exhaust and air tech intercooler, will also order downpipe and all gaskets and nuts/bolts from parts request for when engine/turbo going in and I'm also going to order the 18z callipers ,discs,pads mounting brackets and currently looking at new wheels to fit over the huge brakes. And if I've anything left over get a turbo sorted. I want all the bits done 1st before getting engine sorted for two reasons 1 it will look good sat on drive and motivate me and 2 if I get engine done 1st everything will get put on back burner and never done. I not sure on wheels yet I wuite like these

 

[tcg]

Ah mate,you should have been a wedding planner the amount of organising you're getting through.I hope it works out,you're way more dedicated than me on the s3.

Do you have a timescale to get back on the road or are you waiting until your the only one left owning a S3 8l?

 

[Tj 0785]

I'm hoping to have a cheap engine and new standard ko4 for end of this year to get me back in and a rebuild and badger5 hybrid package towards the end of the year after

 

[Stuart B]

good work TJ - your car is going to be immense.

not sure in the reason "a slightly rarer engine"? just ask for TCG's engine code and phone up again. - they are K04 23 aren't they?

 

[Tj 0785]

Tcg is a bam going of the year mine amk apparently amk is k04 022 I thought all s3's are k04 023

 

[Stuart B]

It may be something to do with an EGT probe hole in the top of the turbo hotside. if so put a probe in it or for £200 I will send you an M8 bolt.

 

[superkarl]

022 and 023 both have egt probe

 

[Stuart B]

but no real reason why a BAM turbo wont fit an AMK? just the older model maybe more difficult to source... so pricier?

 

[superkarl]

but no real reason why a BAM turbo wont fit an AMK? just the older model maybe more difficult to source... so pricier?

It will fit. No issues or differences that I know of.
I think a more appropriate query would be whether the 022 turbo came off a wideband car. As these were the ones with EGT

 

[tcg]

My ears are burning...yes it's a BAM...because they're the best

The part number on my turbo is :- 06A 145 704 Q

 

[Roadtrain]

Seem to be spending more time on my S3 this week.

One of the most annoying things about the interior was the worn climate control buttons. I have been scouring ebay for a replacement since I got the car. Most on there seem to be as worn as mine, or worse, or a crazy price, so I was pleased when I managed to pick up one for just £18. Unfortunately it was for a single din console so I had to remove the buttons and swap them over. Here's how it went...

Had the lovely job of removing the stereo, damn you Audi with your fiddly clips.After a lot of patience that came out and was quickly followed by the heater controls. Once removed to gain access to the back of the panel there were 6 small torx screws, 4 on top and 2 below, here's the 4...
View attachment 93181

Once they are removed there were 5 small torx screws to remove the printed circuit board from the heater fascia.
View attachment 93189

Then with my trusted little bent screwdriver I was able to gently coax out the buttons very carefully by pushing them from behind.
View attachment 93188

The buttons are a different shade of black but as I've changed all of them my OCD can live with that better than having to look at the worn ones.
Just need to find a headlight switch that isn't worn next.

Well done! I would fix my worn buttons aswell, I hope I'll can do it one day.

 

[tcg]

Well done! I would fix my worn buttons aswell, I hope I'll can do it one day.

Cheers mate,I'm sure you could.

The hardest part,after sourcing some decent buttons,is getting the climate control unit out of the center console.

It's a bit of a ****** to remove.

 

[IPG]

unit out of the center console

Sometimes you can just yank from the front. Otherwise it's best to undo the whole centre console and push on the locking tabs from behind

 

[Roadtrain]

Cheers mate,I'm sure you could.

The hardest part,after sourcing some decent buttons,is getting the climate control unit out of the center console.

It's a bit of a ****** to remove.

Thank you! and yes I agreed.

About source decent buttons, if you'll finde something please tell me about, because here in Italy are rare unfortunately. Thank you again.

Sometimes you can just yank from the front. Otherwise it's best to undo the whole centre console and push on the locking tabs from behind

Thank you to you aswell!

 

[tcg]

About source decent buttons, if you'll finde something please tell me about, because here in Italy are rare unfortunately. Thank you again.

Found mine on ebay,it cost me £18.I just kept looking until I found a cheap unit,plus if you're only going to swap over the buttons it doesn't matter whether the climate control unit is from a single or double din console.

The only difference is the shade of black between pre/post facelift units.That's why my buttons are now a slightly different shade to the unit casing.The buttons are pre facelift and my car (2003) is post facelift,but I can live with that.

 

[basil brush]

As your aware I'm doing the cam cover job too , HOW did you get the inside so clean please ?
I'm jealous right now

 

[Roadtrain]

Found mine on ebay,it cost me £18.I just kept looking until I found a cheap unit,plus if you're only going to swap over the buttons it doesn't matter whether the climate control unit is from a single or double din console.

The only difference is the shade of black between pre/post facelift units.That's why my buttons are now a slightly different shade to the unit casing.The buttons are pre facelift and my car (2003) is post facelift,but I can live with that.

The very good news is I can swap buttons only, because I was completely sure I need new climate unit! Thank you again.

 

[tcg]

As your aware I'm doing the cam cover job too , HOW did you get the inside so clean please ?
I'm jealous right now

Ha!

After reading what you've done to your S3 it's me that should be the jealous one.

With my cam cover,I plugged the oil filler cap and PCV hole and filled it with GUNK Engine cleaner and soaked it overnight,also used some brake cleaner.Plenty of scrubbing with a green scouring pad and lots of OCD

To get the real stubborn bits off I used an old set of these I had kicking around my garage...

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p24723

They did scratch it a little bit (if you click the photo to expand you'll see them and that I couldn't get all of the muck out between the spark plug holes) I guess I'll have to take that to my grave

 

[basil brush]

Nice one buddy , thanks
I've got a LONG way to go yet but it's my little project for my benefit, not tarting it up quickly to sell on , I'm doing everything properly with a view to keeping it for a very long time !
I'm off to get some gunk cheers

 

[tcg]

All quiet on the Western Front...

Not been doing anything to the car for a while,just trying to forget about the list of jobs 'in the pipeline' and starting to make peace with it nowadays.

One positive is that since the new turbo was fitted the mpg has increased a bit with the DIS now showing around 32mpg but in real terms it's running around 27mpg which is a gain of about 4mpg from before the turbo blew up.No doubt due to the fact it's not running a 2-stroke mixture from all the oil being dragged through the intake provide by the leaking turbo seals.

Without tempting fate,no drips on the garage floor so it looks like my S3 is still 'oil leak' free

 

[tcg]

how's your money pit doing?

Thought I'd better update,although not been spending anymore on my S3 as it's my old dog that is the money pit in our house and my car is more of a driver and less of a hobby now,mostly back and forth to the vets!

I did get under the front at the weekend and slap a load of hammerite over the front wishbones,subframe,calipers,etc...plus I refitted the optional extras,the undertrays,as I can't see me getting the aircon done before next summer now.

Also gave the driveshaft gaiters a rubber treatment so there nice and shiny clean for the MOT tester in a couple of weeks time,I think I have that nervous rash I always get coming up to it's annual test.

Have had a couple of occasions over the last month or so when the car stuttered on acceleration but no codes on a 'lite scan' and hasn't happened for a while so I guess it's just the way an S3 keeps reminding you that like a dormant volcano,something is going to blow any time and I will get my 'fingers burnt'.

 

[Stuart B]

sorry to hear about your dog :-|

 

[tcg]

Cheers mate.

He's 12 years old so similar age and problems to my S3,lots of underlying issues that add up over time.

At least he's getting to go for a regular spin in the S3 as he was the main reason I got one so it has done it's duty on that front,just need it to make me smile as much as my dog does,two hopes...Bob and no.

 

[tcg]

Squeaky bum time again yesterday as the S3 was in for it's MOT at Audi Oxford...bad news is that the dealership has changed franchise and had a massive turnover of staff.

My service rep has left,along with a few others,including the parts guy who had a wealth of knowledge and discount for me and even my 'spy' although that may affect @s3 Hoggy more than me!

Not such a relaxed and friendly atmosphere there now as it was before but the great news is that the S3 passed the MOT with no advisories,so a real bonus,as last year the inner driveshaft gaiters were noted but that treatment of Autoglym Rubber/Vinyl Care must have givem them a 'new life'

Here's to another twelve months,fingers crossed.

 

[Stuart B]

congratulations...
it does go to show that some MOT places pick up different things to others.

 

[tcg]

As my old dog gets so stressed by fireworks,we've found over the years that the best option is to stick him in the boot of the car and go for a drive,so tonight it was the turn of my S3 to take the duty of driving around for 4 hours at 60-70 mph.I was a bit nervy as I haven't really been on an extended journey in it,just the 50 mile round trips to family,etc.

Have to say the car was faultless,clocked up just over 200 miles tonight and the only downer was that the glovebox decided to start rattling,just to annoy me no doubt.That will need to be sorted.

Even got to do a 'tunnel run' on the A3 although not that exciting when you're pottering along at 60 mph!

Even the mpg was impressive with the DIS showing just over 45 mpg so that,in real terms means it was making about 40 mpg.I don't think I've ever owned a car that economical

Back out again next weekend,deep joy.

 

[tcg]

I expect,like a lot of people that buy S3 8L's secondhand,their car has been 'mapped'.

Mine is supposed to be just that,a custom remap (that's what the invoice says) from a place called RAPID REMAP in Staffordshire,done in 03/2008.Unfortunately they seem to be no more as I tried to contact them when I got the car to find out more to no avail,so I just presume it is a 'stage 1' remap.Because of this I changed the plugs to NGK BKR7E copper ones in January 2017.

I'd been having an intermittent fault with the car 'bogging down/missing' on boost acceleration over the past few months and I've 'Lite' scanned it several times but with no fault codes showing.

As I've read several threads of members chasing their own ar$e with similar problems I decided to start with changing the plugs first as that was the cheapest/easiest.

On my latest New Years Eve/Day four hour firework dodging drive for my poor old dog to avoid the stress (and maybe a heart attack) I had plenty of chances to test out the new plugs and they seem to have sorted it,although my old plugs (pictured) looked fine to me,gapped at 0.7mm as instructed by those who know best...

I've only covered a couple of thousand miles at most since fitting the first set so I am a bit surprised that after fitting the second set a few weeks back seems to have fixed the issue,or is the fault going to return and I'm just in the 'sweetspot' at present?

A belated Happy New Year to anyone who reads this (it's ok you don't have to admit it) and I hope that as far as my/your A3/S3 is concerned 2018 is much better than 2017.It has to be for me

 

[Stuart B]

Hi I put in the copper plugs and they only lasted 2000 miles and then I started to get a miss with difficultly in locating the cylinder (unplugged N75 and just floored it when it started missing until the EML flashed for hard fault)

I put in the more expensive non copper plugs and have not had a problem since. the type of miss I got was just not pulling when hitting about 5K when the car was warmed up, it wasn't like a misfire when the coil had gone shaking the car etc just lack of power (I even changed the fuel pump assuming it was that)

glad you sorted this issue - these money pits are a never ending expectation of the next fault.