Few niggles with new car

Hi guys,

Just introduced myself over on the introduction thread, quite new to the whole forum thing as well, just bought the below car:



2001 A3 1.8T 150 bhp

1 previous owner, 123K miles, full Audi history up until 89 thousand ish miles, independent until last service at 119K. Paid the fairly good price of £1025 for it, was advertised at 1195 but few niggles so knocked him down.

Wondered if you wonderful folks could help me with any of the problems/confirm my diagnosis of them?

1) The doors all work fine, however from inside the passenger side door doesn't open. It did before I took it for a test drive but when I came back it didnt open, if the lock pin was down it didnt unlock that either. I suspect the cable has just disconnected itself possibly, nothing major I would like to think?

2) The display between the speedo and tacho has lines missing out of it, I know it will need repairing, question is can anyone recommend anywhere roughly local to Hull that can remove and fix the display?

3) I think the starter is on its way out. It's a bit lazy starting (always starts so far) but when it's fired, about a second later it will make a high pitched squeal, guessing it may be when the starter disengages, any thoughts?

4) I know the oil pickup pipe is clogged. Was fine on the 2 hour drive home (from reading on here it seems the increased demand makes sure the oil is supplied properly) but then I got home, turned it off. Popped about 4 miles down the road to get some new Bosch aero blades (splashing out I know ) and on the way back the red oil light (or what pixelly remains of it I could see) came on, didnt know what it was initially and limped home for about 2 miles, heard I should be fine for that with no engine damage? No strange noises at first but then right near home:

Turned off and on again and seemed fine so limped round the corner to home. Quick google revealed that the pickup pipe needs cleaning and then oil and filter doing, my friends will do it at his garage for me as I dont have time to do it this weekend or all next week, question is will I be fine to drive it gently to his garage about 5 miles away without causing engine damage?

Everything else about the car is incredible, coming from a 1.4 16v 75bhp Polo this is incredible, fast, refined just a lot better. Coilovers have been ordered (only FK AK fleabay specials) and will be installed next week, then following information I've seen on here, various bushes and suspension components will be upgraded as at the moment it wallows a bit and slips out (need to get the ditch finders off).

In summary, sorry for the long essay, please let me know if you have any information on the above and glad to be a part of the community!

Thanks

Sam

Also forgot to mention, it was running dead on 90 degrees temperature round town, on the motorway sitting at 80mph it dropped to nearly stone cold, then back round town back up to 90 degrees spot on. Any idea what this could mean?

Sham, do you think it just needs a new thermostat then?

Hi Dave,

What I was thinking, I just don't really want to pay to get it recovered to a garage thats very close by you see :/ I understand yes it may cost me in engine repair if it ruins the engine which is why I was wondering if it's possible just to limp it is all. Might have to see if anyone has a trailer I can get them to take me on :/

Hi Ste,

Yes I've just asked around now so hopefully will get a lift sorted

I drove it home but it was literally 1 mile from where it came on so should be ok.

Thanks

Danio said:

1. Take door card off and check that linkage. Common problem they like to be snapped.
2. Look at ebay there is offer for 99quid including new cluster.
3. Sometimes it might be a battery itself.
But squeak usually coming from drive belt and tensioner at the first start.
4. Red oil light mean do not move your car any longer. No oil pressure more likely.
Replace oil and oil filter itself it is not hard job to do.

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1. I thought it might be something as simple as that, when I get some dry weather I will have a look!
2. Is it just a new LCD cluster something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-Displ...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ae54776b3 ?
3. I will get it looked at when I am having the pickup cleaned to find out if it is the starter or a belt
4. Yes I have arranged pick up of the vehicle now so no need to drive it in this condition

s3mad_dude said:

I would throw in a new oil pump whilst you're at it. I had the oil pressure light come on right after putting fresh oil in. I've never had this light on in its life. Stopped the car, recovered it and replaced the pick up pipe and oil pump. Been fine since. Even if the oil pump was fine it was more of a preventative thing and at 12 years old I'm not going to take chances.

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I see what you're saying, however I have just skinted myself this month by buying the car, swapping insurance over, taxing it etc etc so what Im going to do is just get the pickup cleaned and when I next come to have the oil and filter done I will get the pump changed as well (usually do oil and filter myself but if I'm getting pump replaced by someone obviously they need to drop the oil anyway)

JUS3IN said:

be worth doing the big end bearings while the sumps off, incase some minor damage was caused, its about a 20 min job once the pump and pickup are out the way, i never had an oil light but had a 50% blocked pickup an got a bottom end rattle, had spun two big end bearings. use acl race bearings.

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Again as above I am skint this month :') What I may do is see how it goes, then at some point in the future get the oil pump done and then get the big end bearings done then while someones in there for peace of mind. Hopefully the bottom end will be fine as I literally drove it a mile limping it back. Alternatively I might just ask how much I'll be charged for bottom end bearings as its a mates garage and just bite the bullet. I'll see when I speak to him tonight.

Thanks for all your help guys, I really appreciate it! Just hope the bottom end is alright!

So last night I decided to get the pump done as well, so today its having new pump, pickup pipe cleaned (dont think the new pumps come with a new pipe) and oil and filter done. Only drove it home on saturday and thats it, excited to get it back. Have noticed after having a proper look around it that the paintwork is terrible. No rust apart from a scab on the roof but so many stone chips and scratches! Swirls on every single panel as well, looks like its been cleaned with a bag of rocks D: it'll be getting glazed at the weekend to hide them for now but I guess I'd better start saving for a full blowover haha

Ooh that sounds horrible JUS3IN! Did you need bottom end re-building or full engine?

I've got the new oil pump on now, pickup pipe was horrendous, been cleaned and new 5w40 fully synth oil and a filter. The guy said he had a look at the bottom end while he was in there and it all looks fine thank god. Also had temp sender done (still goes cold occasionally though so might be worth changing thermostat). Runs fine now, first time I've drove it apart from getting it home! Coilovers are on as well, they're wound fully up atm as still have balloon tyres (55 profile) on.

Going to try get starter motor done this weekend or next and have a look at the door this weekend before I clean her.

Thanks for the help guys