Total waste of a day working on the car...

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ZAS

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Hi,

So I'm new around these parts, and started reading ASN to get some tips on how to do some of the easier jobs on the car. To get myself started I thought I'd give smoothing the airbox a go, and that went pretty easy, and it was at around the same time that I saw I needed to replace the hockey puck and associated pipe that leads to the TIP.

Got a break today, so I thought I'd get the bits and bobs on so I could run the battery a bit, and got stuck in after wheeling the car out the garage. At least that went well, because from there-on in that simple job degraded into a mess quite rapidly...

First up was the TIP. After getting ready to attach that PCV pipe from the puck to it, I thought I'd reach down to the turbo and make sure the TIP was connected nice and tight, so imagine my surprise when I found this:



Eeek - problem one, so after getting the jubilee clip and remainder of the TIP off the turbo inlet, I thought I'd try and be productive and take a look at the other bits of the PCV system that needed attention. First up, I removed the metal plate and plastic cover on the inlet mani, and made a mental note to remember to be gentle with the dipstick. Clearly I wasn't gentle enough, because I managed to crack the pipe the dipstick runs in, right at the ****** base too!



It's not supposed to bend like that. :(

Anyway, I continued (spirits still high at this point), and tackled this pipe next:



Easy enough, a bit difficult to get out, and I remembered the bit about the O-ring, but the ****** ends of the pipe crumbled in my hand once I managed to get it free (I think you can see the ends are a bit ragged in the pic.

Ok, so then I went for the T-piece holding the PCV bleeder valve, and that too just crumbled when I tugged on it:



Aaargggh! Not a fun day of backyard mechanics...

Anyway, how do I get the dipstick pipe out? I was fed up and just left the engine as is, but at least these pipes are still ok:



And the sorry looking lot of ******** rubber:



Thanks,
JB
 
ah the joy of car tinkering,

its good to see im not the only one who suffers like this, my pcv system crumbled to peices too, i went down the catch tank route,


i feel ur pain mate lol
 
i think Tuffty (paul) found a way to simplify the pipes under the manifold not sure how as i havent seen a picture but im sure he can help you with that... and btw look at the bright side atleast these issues didnt happen while driving man i know i would be shocked
 
I did the exact same thing to my dipstick tube mate, the plastic snaps right on the end of the metal tube that then goes into the sump. Just reach down, pull the old snapped bit of plastic off, and stick a new dipstick tube in, they cost about £8 from Audi and take 30 seconds to change ;)

Westy has made a simplify the PCV system thread too...

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-...de-how-fit-catch-can-simplify-pcv-system.html

Hope this helps

Ben
 
Yeh as above by Benjamin but I recommend for the few extra quid get new Dipstick too that will fit perfect with new guide. Very easy to do and think £12 for both from TPS. And silicone is your best friend on these engines all the parts you broke I did but just replaced with forge bits.

After the frustration comes joy! Lol
 
Hi,

Ok, great, I can handle an 8 squid fix, and glad to hear it's a quick one.

To be honest, I'm glad it happened this way; I'm learning a shedload about the car now, doing the stuff I should have done on my own many years ago. The car's been a decent runner over the last 12 years, so some proper love is long overdue, and I'm definitely not going to sell considering the prices on offer.

The biggest shock for me was the TIP - I knew I had a boost leak, but I thought it was the knackered PCV pipes which I've diligently been researching (W3sty's thread is a winner, Ctrl-d'ed already *wink*), and I was going through tufty's build thread just now and I think I'll rip some more piping out when I get some time. I'm definitely going to go silicone on everything, there's a local guy down by me that makes/sells sets, so I'll gather everything up and take them to him.

Got some goodies delivered from the UK (will post pics), so it's not all bleak, looking forward to having a proper blast soon. I've been eyeing a B5 and have been hesitating because it's a bit pricey for us in the South (x13 to get my price + 21% customs, shipping etc.), but it's a no brainer now, so I guess I'll be jumping on that bandwagon soon. All that time smoothing the airbox for zip!

Oh ja, and the damn battery is dead now, waited too long to get the bits on.

P.S. Admins, thanks for the title change. ;)
 
Last edited:
Badger5 order placed this morning, quite stoked about that, and the dipstick runner is going to cost me 5 quid. :)
I'll ask the happy Badger if he won't sell me a Forge DV too, and then I'll start looking for the silicone hoses.

Is it worth just upgrading the N75 valve while I'm at it?

There goes my kid's college fund...
 
ZAS said:
...Is it worth just upgrading the N75 valve while I'm at it?...
Click to expand...

Stick with what you have... there is no such thing as an N75 upgrade despite what anybody may tell you...

<tuffty/>
 
Similar thing happened to me. The dipstick is a classic. Mine was a right PITA.

I got the IE block breather adapter (AN-10) and the cam cover adapter to run AN fittings and ditch the hoses. Much simpler than the standard mess.

IMG_1290.JPG


IMG_1309.JPG


Did the N249 bypass and replaced all the vacuum hoses with 4mm silicone. No leaks (fingers crossed).
 
Sam, wow, those are beauts - where do you source them from?

<tuffty/>, sorry, I meant to ask should I just replace the N75? I've seen those ECS race ones, but don't care much to put one of them on.
 
Sam_ said:
Similar thing happened to me. The dipstick is a classic. Mine was a right PITA.

I got the IE block breather adapter (AN-10) and the cam cover adapter to run AN fittings and ditch the hoses. Much simpler than the standard mess.

IMG_1290.JPG


IMG_1309.JPG


Did the N249 bypass and replaced all the vacuum hoses with 4mm silicone. No leaks (fingers crossed).
Click to expand...


same ive tried locating them on IE's website but could only find the adapter, do you mind sending a linky please i also intend on simplifying the damn PCV pipes

Integrated Engineering -10an Valve Cover/Block Breather Breather Adapter Kit 06A 1.8T - Billet Accessories
 
Yeah that's them. I bought them separately as they didn't do them together at the time. Ah well. The cam cover one is a pain to install...
 
ZAS said:
I meant to ask should I just replace the N75? I've seen those ECS race ones, but don't care much to put one of them on.
Click to expand...

The N75 valve isn't usually something that wears or breaks as it's a very simple design inside.. The ECS race N75 valve is a bad idea, as tufty will tell you no doubt, because he hates them lol they basically delay the signal to the ECU as to what the boost pressure is. So say you're in 2nd gear at 3000rpm, and plant the throttle, with an ECS race N75 it will over-boost to stupid levels, before the ECU goes oh s*it!!! And then opens the wastegate on the turbo resulting in a huge dip before finally settling at normal boost pressure. On a power graph with one of these ECS piles of ar5e gravy, the boost goes through the roof at 3000 rpm, then 4000 rpm it drops to below standard, then settles until the next gear change, then starts over.

In a nut shell, complete utter waste of money and a great way to destroy your turbo and blow boost pipes off ;)

Ben
 
Sam_ said:
Yeah that's them. I bought them separately as they didn't do them together at the time. Ah well. The cam cover one is a pain to install...
Click to expand...

but the one advertized only has the adapter not the whole pipe ...
 
they would be nice to put them but at 52$ a ****** meter that expensive besides that ull need the 10 AN pipe on both ends of not mistaken but i think if you could as im thinking of that too
 
I just use goodridge push fit hose in the ends. You don't need the full on braided stuff unless you need bling. And if its up against another hose it'll wear through it quicker than rubber.

I went AN12 (19mm) as the standard hose was that from memory. I bought all my fittings from the states, way cheaper.
 
Sam_ said:
I just use goodridge push fit hose in the ends. You don't need the full on braided stuff unless you need bling. And if its up against another hose it'll wear through it quicker than rubber.

I went AN12 (19mm) as the standard hose was that from memory. I bought all my fittings from the states, way cheaper.
Click to expand...

Ok, awesome - I skim read your initial reply and missed the bit about 4 mm silicone hoses, just need to measure the lot and get it done now. Pretty keen to replace that plastic pipe that joins to the crank case connector, at least this lot is easy to get to; the pipes under the throttle body look like a hassle, plus I don't have the VAG tool to get the clips off...
 
Whip the inlet off, makes life way easier and it's not too hard. You can clean the injectors (get a cheap ultrasonic bath), throttle body and fit a phenolic gasket (034 are cheapest I think (includes bolts + gaskets)? IE might sell them? Or Badger5 of course) while you're at it ;)

You'll need a one way valve for the brake servo line too if you're doing a full tidy up of the lines.
 
Sam_ said:
Whip the inlet off, makes life way easier and it's not too hard. You can clean the injectors (get a cheap ultrasonic bath), throttle body and fit a phenolic gasket (034 are cheapest I think (includes bolts + gaskets)? IE might sell them? Or Badger5 of course) while you're at it ;)

You'll need a one way valve for the brake servo line too if you're doing a full tidy up of the lines.
Click to expand...

Sam do you think it would be possible to take a photo of the pipes latching on to the An12 pipe ? pretty please :)
 
Sam_ said:
Whip the inlet off, makes life way easier and it's not too hard. You can clean the injectors (get a cheap ultrasonic bath), throttle body and fit a phenolic gasket (034 are cheapest I think (includes bolts + gaskets)? IE might sell them? Or Badger5 of course) while you're at it ;)

You'll need a one way valve for the brake servo line too if you're doing a full tidy up of the lines.
Click to expand...

Ja, it defo does do wonders for the space in the bay, so I think you may be onto something there - and the injectors are probably in need of a bit of work too. Good suggestion. :)

Problem with doing all this stuff is that it's a mission to remember where everything goes!

Sam, really like those pipes dude - putting that on the to-do list.
 
Yeah but once you take it all off you realise you dont actually need half of it heh.

I went with black for the OEM look mind you. Would have liked black fittings too but ah well.
 
Sam_ said:
Yeah but once you take it all off you realise you dont actually need half of it heh.

I went with black for the OEM look mind you. Would have liked black fittings too but ah well.
Click to expand...

lol i hope so as im doing the thermostat coolant temp housing, rear discs and pads...brake sensor and other stuff so i thought while there i would do it ... but concerning the slot in pipes i would only get on right ? im just a tad confused on the set up really i got i need to get a 13mm pipe for the brake servo and put in a one way valve.. then get couple 19mm hoses.. get the 12AN fitting pipe but the pipes that fit on it it be on one end only the oil filter housing no ?
 
Sam_ said:
Yeah but once you take it all off you realise you dont actually need half of it heh.

I went with black for the OEM look mind you. Would have liked black fittings too but ah well.
Click to expand...

I'm with you - after reading tufty's thread I realised that OEM looks better, so I've ordered a black Badger and Forge DV, and I'll try and make sure I use black hoses (supplier dependent.) Only thing which will ruin the look is the cone filter, but beggars can't be choosers I guess.

I'm so far down the line I might as well take it all off, plus the car's not going anywhere soon anyway.
 
well who's going to open the hood of the car and see it ? besides you and some other car enthusiast while yes i think oem is nicest i still prefer blue :p
 
Well I done it in black to match my B5 TIP, 007 etc and mine's venting to atmosphere which as you know, is a no no here too along with almost anything so didn't want to draw attention to it. I don't like it looking like a Halfords showroom under there anyway but like you say, each to their own.
 
lol yeah i agree hence why im contemplating gettting it ****** black which isnt too bad.. ive bought everything i need just need to getthe one way valve that seems soding hopeless to find on ebay
 
Sevv said:
lol yeah i agree hence why im contemplating gettting it ****** black which isnt too bad.. ive bought everything i need just need to getthe one way valve that seems soding hopeless to find on ebay
Click to expand...

Dude, so you can't find it either? Thought I was just being daft, actually started feeling sorry for myself for a second. lol
 
ZAS said:
Dude, so you can't find it either? Thought I was just being daft, actually started feeling sorry for myself for a second. lol
Click to expand...

yeah i keep getting water and air valves with a lever its ridiculous.. cant find it if anyone can send us a link ZAS and i would be very grateful
 
lol and i sat looking for a good 20-30mins oh well... so you reckon someone like repco would have it Sam ?
 
Sevv said:
lol and i sat looking for a good 20-30mins oh well... so you reckon someone like repco would have it Sam ?
Click to expand...

Sevv, I hit the jackpot today! Went to a local motorsport place to look for silicone hoses and they stock exactly the same stuff that Sam has installed, so quite stoked - just need to take the guy a pic of the AN10 fitting I need and then I'll be sorted. Plus they sell nice braided hoses, and the price is ok for the length I need.

Of course, the fittings are red and blue, but you can't see them under the mani so it's all good. :p

JB
 
ZAS said:
Sevv, I hit the jackpot today! Went to a local motorsport place to look for silicone hoses and they stock exactly the same stuff that Sam has installed, so quite stoked - just need to take the guy a pic of the AN10 fitting I need and then I'll be sorted. Plus they sell nice braided hoses, and the price is ok for the length I need.

Of course, the fittings are red and blue, but you can't see them under the mani so it's all good. :p

JB
Click to expand...


thats really good mate i found some of a US ebay seller will cost me 100$ all up but i think sam said he was using the AN 12 fittinggs so thats what i think you need to go for matey
 
I'm not sure it's essential but I felt it didn't do any harm to stick with the 19mm (AN-12) stuff. You'd probably be fine with AN-10 too. I mean that's what IE etc supply after all. I used adapters to go from AN-10 to AN-12:

IMG_1293.jpg


Crap photo sorry. I didn't use the iPhone dock though haha
 
Sam_ said:
I'm not sure it's essential but I felt it didn't do any harm to stick with the 19mm (AN-12) stuff. You'd probably be fine with AN-10 too. I mean that's what IE etc supply after all. I used adapters to go from AN-10 to AN-12:

IMG_1293.jpg


Crap photo sorry. I didn't use the iPhone dock though haha
Click to expand...

Great, this is exactly the kind of picture I needed. This place sells from -4 up, so I think I'll be able to make a plan. Of course, the bit from IE that goes into the crank case still needs to be sourced, but hopefully I can make a plan to get one, or maybe I can even ask someone to fabricate one for me.

Top marks!
 
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