Help get my car back on the road

[Blano]

Hi everyone I purchased an audi a3 2005 2 months ago. It went into limp home mode last week with no engine caption. I thought this was strange so looked further into it and it turns out the engine management and traction control lights have been 'blacked out' I know I know absolute schoolboy error on my part for not noticing this when I picked the car up but what's done is done and whilst I purchased the car on eBay I can no longer open a dispute so advices I speak to the police. Whilst citizens advice feel I have a claim I would rather not go through the hassle of courts and time off work, the previous owner obviously denies all knowledge of the blacked out captions and all other faults even though he is a qualified mechanic and carried out a service on the car just 5000 miles ago. Anyway I informed him of the legal action and after a lengthy discussion has agreed to pay for some of the repairs as a 'good will gesture' and has asked how much I want. Whilst an audi repair is in the thousands I am convinced I can make it a lot cheaper doing most of the work myself, I'm an engineer with a basic knowledge of cars a Haynes manual and all of you experts on here! I am just looking for any advice you have to offer on any parts and fixes to the problems. The list from audi is:

needs new instrument cluster - because of black paint/nail varnish used to cover faults up

rear washer jet blocked which May have caused wiper motor to start leaking

intaje manifold flap seized - removed this and looks like it could be the common fault of plastic teeth snapping but can't see because I can't get the metal cover off without damaging it

ecu charge pressure surpassed - guessing this could be a new turbo but am hoping not was wondering if you knew of any common problems with a cheaper fix then replacing turbo?

both rear shockers leaking and dust covers are down- can order some new ones and fit them

Auxiliary heater fault - requires further investigation

Amber steering light on - cannot complete basic setup due to the abs sensor not reading correctly

radiator fan fault - apparently a product if the fuse blowing from Inlet manifold flap

no 3 glow plug needs replacing



i know there is loads to do! But I need to suck it up and start getting it sorted in priority order any help / advice / experience is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[Garfybeds]

I know its the smallest fault - rear washer jet is a common issue - pull it off and clean it out, or get a new one off Ebay for £2.99. This won't fix the wiper motor leak though !

 

[@udi A3]

I can code you a second hand clocks into the car a lot cheaper than the dealer, several members on here have recently upgraded to white dashes, so may have theirs for sale. You are also only an hour away from me.

 

[Keane]

That flap snapping / sizing can cause a lot of damage ! Maybe this relates too your turbo and possible bad running of the car ? Will get that fully investigated budd . Hope you sort it, some w**kers out there !

 

[Blano]

Thanks for the help so far. I am definitely interested in getting that cluster replaced, I'll have a look at the washer jet i think that audi have seen that its caused water to leak onto the motor and just assumed i need a new one to be honest because the motor still runs, I'll have to disassemble it and investigate. The flap and the turbo are what worry me most it would be nice if the faults were related but audi didnt seem to mention that in any of their notes, the inlet manifold flap was in the open position and the fuse had blown so im hoping this has caused less damage and will look at replacing the part for around £200. When it comes to turbos i havent really got a clue so might have to look at taking it to a specialist

 

[Sevv]

Thanks for the help so far. I am definitely interested in getting that cluster replaced, I'll have a look at the washer jet i think that audi have seen that its caused water to leak onto the motor and just assumed i need a new one to be honest because the motor still runs, I'll have to disassemble it and investigate. The flap and the turbo are what worry me most it would be nice if the faults were related but audi didnt seem to mention that in any of their notes, the inlet manifold flap was in the open position and the fuse had blown so im hoping this has caused less damage and will look at replacing the part for around £200. When it comes to turbos i havent really got a clue so might have to look at taking it to a specialist

mate a broken inlet manifold flap can cause bent valves so i would seriously inspect that before turning that car back on... and hope for the best... (if that is fine and you need a turbo) you're probably looking at maybe £2000 pounds to get her in back in good mint condition.. and while your at it i would inspect that cam belt and ALL belts and change all its oil and haldex (if its quattro) along with the filters...

 

[Blano]

would bent valves not have flagged up other faults on the audi diagnosis? the car ran ok for 2 months so I'm hoping for the best but then again i seem to be very unlucky when it comes to cars, i even had to drive the car home from the audi garage because i had no choice and it got me back ok (although for some reason the power steering had been totally switched off i assume as a precautionary from the wheel bearing and sensor they flagged up) might have to look at a reconditioned turbo because I'm trying to keep costs to a minimum which is why ill be doing all the labour i can

 

[Sevv]

well the guys suffering from the symptoms state that the car seems flat and down on power at around 4-6k rpm, but i doubt you're pushing it that car in its current state... just inspect the valves, lengthy work but is it horrendous .. i cant comment if bent valves would make a noise etc.. as i havent experienced that

but i have experienced incompetent Audi Dealership techs as they ******** my engine forgetting a bolt in it prompting me to go BT

 

[kanecullen89]

I feel really sorry for you mate. I know you say it's a school boy error with the dash lights but who really examines the dash light area that carefully to see if it's painted over. And it would be particularly hard to see if they've done a good job with it.
The bloke sounds like a scumbag. Proving that it was him and he knew about it etc would be hard work and unlikely to come from anything, especially in criminal court where it has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt. It would be a lot easier claiming in civil court where is only has to be proven on the balance of probability.
At least he has offered to pay up.

I had my intake flap replaced on my old A3 2.0 tdi for about £170 I believe at a local garage. Probably not genuine audi part but worked perfectly for 4 years.
The turbo will be the expensive thing. Could just be sticky vanes requiring a clean but that normally gives overboost error.
Like everyone else has said, just be careful with running it now until it's been checked to prevent any further damage

 

[chris.vincent3]

Got my manifold flap from ECP's, was cheaper when I bought it, very easy to fit yourself.

As for the heater fault, apparently when the flap goes it can blow the heater fan fuse, so check that out

Pierburg Audi | Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 Car Parts Retailer

 

[Blano]

Thanks I've ordered the manifold flap now should be here today. Anybody know common faults that would cause my power steering amber light to come on? Audi suggested wheel bearing and sensor change

 

[Sevv]

Thanks I've ordered the manifold flap now should be here today. Anybody know common faults that would cause my power steering amber light to come on? Audi suggested wheel bearing and sensor change

depends do you hear any rubbing or humming sound when you driving more then 40mph ... thats how i knew mine had to be changed or even at quicker spped 60-70mph etc...

sensor might be at fault but you really need VCDS to know whats wrong with that car.

 

[Blano]

Hi everyone thanks for the help so far. Thought I'd post a quick update:

Rear shocks changed, should have been an easy job but low and behold the locking wheel nut socket snapped so spent most if the day sorting that out. All done now anyway

Changed the inlet manifold flap for a new one from euro car parts (thanks Chris.vincent3) and fuse 24 the engine light has disappeared for now so that's sorted that one.

Got a new instrument cluster and tom (@udiA3) swapped the foils for me so will soon be reselling the instrument cluster once I swap the foils over so nobody gets ripped off with a painted set again

The rear washer jet is currently soaking in a glass of Pepsi as we speak (I didn't have coke) looks like its clogged up with lime scale so hopefully this solves it as the robbing b^stards on eBay want £12 for a new one! Wiper motor doesn't look like it's leaking think it's just audi being over cautious flagging it up

Ordered a reconditioned turbo to fit this weekend as when I'm going over 70 I'm getting limp mode and every now and again the over boost fault code hopefully it's just the waste gate clogged up with a bit of carbon and I can have it professionally cleaned and resell it but we will see.

Rear left eel bearing change this weekend will hopefully get rid of the intermittent abs light

Got a new glow plug getting delivered today so hopefully get rid of that fault code coming up on VAGCOM (although there's no related engine warning light)

After all this hopefully Tom (@udiA3) can complete the basic steering settings so I have power steering again (any help appreciated
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/vcds-formerly-vag-com-forum/211672-stop-limit-adaption-aux-heater.html )

All in all it's been expensive but hopefully should be back fully working on the road soon and for a lot cheaper then audi's quoted £5,200! Thanks for everyone's help so far