First project 1996 b5 A4 saloon build

[Mcga1-17]

Hi guys just purchased a 1996 1.8 b5 A4 with about 180k on the clock, completed a visual inspection before buying and everything seemed in order for 20+ year old car, with light amounts of bubbling on the arches and a bit of lacquer peeling. The clutch is high but not slipping as I would expect with a high milage car without a previous replacement. There also looks like a slight oil leak from the rocker cover gasket which isn't too difficult to sort.

My plan is to get the car in tip top shape ready for a rally next August from London to Romania and back and keep the car as my first project.

Are there any common issues or faults I should keep an eye out for when looking to get it back in shape.

Thanks Adam.

 

[russell.hammond]

Make sure the PCV system is working properly before you replace the gasket. I didn’t and had to replace it twice! Also get a cheap eBay cable and the free version of VCDS. Then you can scan for codes.


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[Mcga1-17]

Make sure the PCV system is working properly before you replace the gasket. I didn’t and had to replace it twice! Also get a cheap eBay cable and the free version of VCDS. Then you can scan for codes.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Awesome thanks for the tips.

 

[Moniek88]

Good luck with the project mate, Ill be following

 

[Mcga1-17]

First day of work today, checked the air filter which was slightly dirty but fine and cleaned out the air box of various detritus.
While removing the scuttle and battery discovered the cabin filter which will need to be seen to in the future.

The biggest discovery today was when I removed the battery and found half of the battery tray rusted away with a temporarys of metal stopping the battery from falling through.

I saw the collected water under the scuttle when I went to view it and after removing the battery poked the gunk out of the gromet and drained fine but not completely, is there another under/near the brake master servo?

 

[Moniek88]

Yes, they should be another drain on the other side mate.
Doesn't look good in there, hopefully is only surface rust.

 

[Mcga1-17]

Yes, they should be another drain on the other side mate.
Doesn't look good in there, hopefully is only surface rust.

Awesome thanks.

Hopefully it's just surface rust that a bit of wire brushing will get rid of, will be giving it a good dry and clean out tomorrow to know the full extent of it.

 

[Moniek88]

The biggest trouble it will be the access to it. Very fiddly job in there.

 

[Mcga1-17]

The biggest trouble it will be the access to it. Very fiddly job in there.

I can only imagine. Seen a few threads suggesting a wire coat hanger to get all the crap out the drainage holes so that might be my first port of call, then look at moving some stuff about if that fails.

 

[Mcga1-17]

After a few days of rain got round to getting rid of all the muck. Almost all of the rust was on the surface and was taken care of with a wire brush and some white spirit to clean before a kick of paint and a new battery tray.