What have you done to your Audi A4 B7 today?

[Matt275]

That looks perfect Matt. And last indefinitely kept like that. I forgot to mention, I did find rust on the centre box of the exhaust - it recently passed the MOT so isn't blowing, just the outer casing, but has deteriorated since 2 years ago - so I'm going to get that renewed. Not too expensive. I've toyed with fitting the 170 twins/valance, but that may be a faffle. Yesterday I applied the Moto grease to inside all four wing lips, which are without any rust, but just to keep them that way.


I've never done it, but it's a bit of a pig - yes right at the back to the right of the fuel filter. If your engine is burning a bit of oil between services, then all is good. It's when your oil level rises that would be the issue, then fuel would definitely be adding to the oil. I like an engine to burn a bit of oil, within spec, you know it's good then. Mine still burns less than Audi allows for, after all these miles, and I think that is pretty remarkable and a testament to these engines.

Last night driving home it did another regen, finished just in time before I got home.

So this morning I did some lower gear higher RPM driving. Nothing nasty, but holding 4k rpm in second and third for 3-400 yards a few times. The car certainly didn't mind or complain!
A BRD definitely smooths out after 2.5k, and keeps it's puff all the way to 5k, but that's not a place I put my rev counter needle to very often. I have too much mechanical sympathy - coupled with hex shaft anxiety hahahha

Next up will be a shot of Millers EcoMax into the tank. Maybe about 50ml when I next fill it and then drive normally. I've got 2 full bottles in stock at the moment, needs using up.

When I check what the fuel is like in my new filter in a few weeks, I may put a 20ml shot of Millers directly into the filter, never done that before, but doubt it would do any harm. Dipetane is a good one too.

I've seen people do 1.9 PD Liqui Moly diesel purges by connecting a small in line filter and a few clear lines at the main filter / rail and running it neat from a plastic bottle for 15 mins on tickover / revving a few times. Not sure I'd try it though....probably harmless enough, but man I'd kick myself if it did some sort of damage somewhere. I'm pretty sure Liqui Moly is meant to be added to the tank, the whole bottle in one hit I think.

I'd like to remove my front arch liners at some point, most likely ok under there, but for peace of mind and may apply a few sprays of BH Dynax UC. I've never had them off before.

 

[B7Tourer]

Next up will be a shot of Millers EcoMax into the tank. Maybe about 50ml when I next fill it and then drive normally. I've got 2 full bottles in stock at the moment, needs using up.

Funnily enough Matt, I've been trying an experiment over the last 3 tanks. I've always filled up with V-Power and noticed the difference; well there's a place near me that's sells the very cheapest diesel; not a supermarket, a country family owned station - everyone goes there. So I bought some of that Millers. The results are brilliant, quite noticeably better than even the V-Power, and it's over 30p a litre cheaper too. The Miller's Ecomax works out at about 2p a litre, so a massive saving and seeming benefit all round.

5K rpm, wow!! I've never seen that in my car, lol.

 

[Matt275]

Oh yes it is good stuff for sure, been around years. Well I say 5k..perhaps it's a bit less than that....before the rev limiter anyway lol

 

[B7Tourer]

I should add to another plus that occured with the Miller stuff is, when you're caught short you can fill up on any old sh!t too, lol.

 

[B7Tourer]

Oh yes it is good stuff for sure, been around years. Well I say 5k..perhaps it's a bit less than that....before the rev limiter anyway lol

The rev limiter changes whether you've got traction on or off. In idling for example with it on, I believe it cuts out around 2.5K (diesels); obviously higher in gear. I'd be curious about what happens during the MOT since they are specifically not allowed to switch it off - any light on is considered a fault condition.

 

[PDLH]

The rev limiter changes whether you've got traction on or off.

I learnt that a few years back in the snow, I thought it's not bad, went to the bottom of the hill to turn around, and could not get back up again, it kept spinning out half way up the hill and the limited kicked in.

In the end a freind said turn off the ESP and it drove up the hill first time as the revs were able to go higher in a low gear

 

[Jamsmoo]

Sorting the window reg

 

[Charlie Farley]

yep , that looks very familiar.

 

[PDLH]

Sorting the window reg

Having done 3 out of 4 on my old B6, that is definately a familiar task. I dreamed they had improved the design by the B7 or at least the reliability of the part!

 

[Matt275]

Exhaust tips cleaned inside today. I realised the other week when I cleaned the outsides that they are actually a tip within a tip.

I've done this to try and gauge how well my DPF is or isn't performing. With the torch up there it's just a healthy grey, looks black below but that was after I sprayed a tiny bit of water. I was going to fully Gunk it with a brush and rinse with plenty of water, but with the angle of the tailpipe and rear boxes, water would've sat straight into the boxes - harmless yes I know, but not ideal.

I ended up using a dollop of Mr Muscle on a microfibre to cut into the soot....made light work of it to be honest, and a tiny mist of water and wiped out with kitchen roll.
Still doesn't really look clean, but you can see where I've cleaned and it's clean to the squeak lol.

Just going to monitor how it changes colour and how quickly versus mileage etc.
I did the same on both sides.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Hi Matt , I seem to recall that there is a technical design reason for that, something to do with airflow and the cyclonic effect, which helps with extracting the gas flow. That's what was suggested...

 

[Charlie Farley]

I have also cleaned the tips on the allroad this afternoon, they don't seem to get very sooty, and it's been a few weeks of ownership and they have been allmost soot free , not sure thats good or bad..lol

 

[Matt275]

That's interesting, quite possibly, I mean the outer tips certainly aren't anything flash, chunky and a bit barbaric looking if you ask me hahaha
Although they do come up pretty well with a bit of Autosol to be fair.

 

[Matt275]

I have also cleaned the tips on the allroad this afternoon, they don't seem to get very sooty, and it's been a few weeks of ownership and they have been allmost soot free , not sure thats good or bad..lol

Have you driven it yet with the plug in tuning box?

 

[Charlie Farley]

Have you driven it yet with the plug in tuning box?

I have indeed Matt.
Fitted it on Thursday afternoon, nice easy install, not quite as easy as they state on the allroad, but fine for the most part.

The difference is like day and night, such a big improvement, well worth doing and that just in normal gearbox drive mode, stick it in sport mode and , wahoo, it's away like a scalded cat.
the best couple of hundred pounds I spent for some time.
Currently in no4 tune so a nice compromise on uprated output and fuel economy, will be trying out no6 and 7 next week.

 

[Matt275]

Wow Rob that's sounds brilliant, I don't think they do one for my car lol

 

[Charlie Farley]

I think they do Matt.

 

[Matt275]

Perhaps they do, but hex shaft anxiety is a real thing hahaha

 

[Charlie Farley]

Just enter yor reg details and it will tell you

https://tdi-tuning.com/en-gb?registration=

 

[Charlie Farley]

Perhaps they do, but hex shaft anxiety is a real thing hahaha

But you don't need to use the max setting, it has 7 .

 

[Charlie Farley]

It will just enhance performance, you'll get better MPG anyway, even if you don't use the power increase that much.

 

[Matt275]

What's the name of your tuning box?

 

[Charlie Farley]

the Allroad tips, they are the same as yours with the vent on the top.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Hear

 

[Charlie Farley]

the Allroad tips, they are the same as yours with the vent on the top.
View attachment 282551

But I will be removing those down outlets for some nicer polished stainless steel straight tips of an appropriate diameter outlet.

 

[B7Tourer]

I have also cleaned the tips on the allroad this afternoon, they don't seem to get very sooty, and it's been a few weeks of ownership and they have been allmost soot free , not sure thats good or bad..lol

A proper working DPF should aid in keeping the tips relatively cleaner longer... you can see this on newer diesels, that rarely now seem to have sooty tips.

I realised the other week when I cleaned the outsides that they are actually a tip within a tip.

The 140s twin tips at the side don't have this. Maybe another reason these go so black so quickly?

The difference is like day and night, such a big improvement, well worth doing and that just in normal gearbox drive mode, stick it in sport mode and , wahoo, it's away like a scalded cat.
the best couple of hundred pounds I spent for some time.
Currently in no4 tune so a nice compromise on uprated output and fuel economy, will be trying out no6 and 7 next week.

I don't want to sound like a killjoy. But these boxes operate by interupting both fuel and boost to fool the ECU into thinking everything is standard, unlike a proper remapping. Whilst they do seem to have good reviews and are amongst the better of this type, Darkside tested this particular box against some others and found the manufacturer's gains claims to be around 50% in real life RR tests. Still a worthwhile gain but since they are effectively 'fooling' the ECU it's unknown what the long term effect could be on it's true ability to maintain the engine condition, especially with a DPF. I'm totally unfamiliar with the 2.7, but I would definitely urge caution, as with remaps, for the 2.0TDI, if the oil pump has not been modified (Matt) They also cost more like 350 quid for the 2.0TDIs when I checked, for my car.

Perhaps they do, but hex shaft anxiety is a real thing hahaha

I was going to write a 2025 definitive multi-part guide to everything that is known so far, and the options, about the 2.0 TDI oil pump/hex key/balance shaft failures, if anyone is interested. As a taster it can effect both Audi installed/revised 77 and 100mm shafts, in all VAG deriviatives, from 2004-2015, PD and CR! Which has been little written about anywhere.

 

[B7Tourer]

But I will be removing those down outlets for some nicer polished stainless steel straight tips of an appropriate diameter outlet.

Straight tips will show the inevitable diesel smoke more on the overun, especially at night in the rearview, just so you know. The down design is designed to make that less objectionable and embarrassing which is all I care about lol. I'm gonna check today what types my new SS system is going to have.

 

[northpole]

@Matt275 liquimoly diesel purge method you've seen on the mk4 forum works on every pd engine. You literally run the engine of the cleaner to clean out the injectors. This method is faster than the really slow method of just chucking it in the tank. There are more products that do the same and I have done that method on numerous of diesel engines( I don't just work on my own cars) anyway if done right it doesn’t cause any harm.

You could just drop it in the tank but it'll take forever. And the results even after you've finished that fuel completely the injectors probably will need another bottle to clearout the injectors.

 

[B7Tourer]

Straight tips will show the inevitable diesel smoke more on the overun, especially at night in the rearview, just so you know. The down design is designed to make that less objectionable and embarrassing which is all I care about lol. I'm gonna check today what types my new SS system is going to have.

Well straight tips it was - the only other option was going to be bent SS pipe, and this was so much better. I'm super happy with the work; even quieter than before; and lifetime guarantee. They must of been proud the work too, since they took photos for their website:

 

[B7Tourer]

This was the state of the centre box before, that passed the MOT a couple or so months ago. And the reason I had the new one. Now I see it was made in Poland, no disrespect to them - I wonder whether it was original and OEM? Edit: it appears to have the VW logo, so I guess it was, not bad for 275K:

 

[Matt275]

Nice install that. Is that the Lanoguard I can see near the fuel tank? And did you Lanoguard the rear-most part of the spare wheel well or is that paint?
On a B7 it's surprising how much of that area you can see, the towing eye etc, especially if the car is parked down a slight slope.

 

[Charlie Farley]

A proper working DPF should aid in keeping the tips relatively cleaner longer... you can see this on newer diesels, that rarely now seem to have sooty tips.


The 140s twin tips at the side don't have this. Maybe another reason these go so black so quickly?


I don't want to sound like a killjoy. But these boxes operate by interupting both fuel and boost to fool the ECU into thinking everything is standard, unlike a proper remapping. Whilst they do seem to have good reviews and are amongst the better of this type, Darkside tested this particular box against some others and found the manufacturer's gains claims to be around 50% in real life RR tests. Still a worthwhile gain but since they are effectively 'fooling' the ECU it's unknown what the long term effect could be on it's true ability to maintain the engine condition, especially with a DPF. I'm totally unfamiliar with the 2.7, but I would definitely urge caution, as with remaps, for the 2.0TDI, if the oil pump has not been modified (Matt) They also cost more like 350 quid for the 2.0TDIs when I checked, for my car.


I was going to write a 2025 definitive multi-part guide to everything that is known so far, and the options, about the 2.0 TDI oil pump/hex key/balance shaft failures, if anyone is interested. As a taster it can effect both Audi installed/revised 77 and 100mm shafts, in all VAG deriviatives, from 2004-2015, PD and CR! Which has been little written about anywhere

I am aware of how they work, but to be honest, some are better than others, and if used sensibly, are ok.
Also can be removed as easly as fitted, a hard remapp back to factory would cost more due to the double flashing cost.

but hey, it does what is says on the tin.

 

[northpole]

@B7Tourer you went for the right tips to be fair, i get the reason for the downturned tips/ downwards angled tips on the diesels but to be honest... i rather not see those diesel tips at all... hide it out of view and have a clean bumper without the exhaust holes... sadly there are non for these cars... but nope if you go for SS cat- or turbo-back, then by all means go for a set of nice dual tips or go twin exhaust , either single or dual tips.

it does look nice and looks like they did an excellent job.

 

[northpole]

@B7Tourer i checked the partnumber on your old midsilencer including the name turns out, yes made in Poland, manufacturer Gillet, no not an oem supplier for Audi but for Porshe... same stable as the other VAG cars so they must have had a rummage in the parts bin to get that oem pipe under the car. (funnily enough i got a similar midsilencer under my car, with it also having only 1 rear exhaust box) and aparently the exhaust boxes, from the cat back, on the NA 2.0 20v FSI and the 2.0 tdi's are interchangeable only difference is the rear exhaust tips either straight n turndown tips, box sizes and dimensions are the same, according to the info i found in Etka, the Bosal website and from Gillet.

 

[B7Tourer]

Nice install that. Is that the Lanoguard I can see near the fuel tank? And did you Lanoguard the rear-most part of the spare wheel well or is that paint?
On a B7 it's surprising how much of that area you can see, the towing eye etc, especially if the car is parked down a slight slope.

Yes that's Lanoguard Matt, over Hammerite. It is surprising, I quite like it really, but it does mean keeping it trim, lol. I missed quite a bit of Lanoguard coverage, I realised when the exhaust was off; particularly the rear subframe, hidden by it. I don't need the ramp again but tomorrow I'm going to get under and finish it off properly.

@B7Tourer you went for the right tips to be fair, i get the reason for the downturned tips/ downwards angled tips on the diesels but to be honest... i rather not see those diesel tips at all... hide it out of view and have a clean bumper without the exhaust holes... sadly there are non for these cars... but nope if you go for SS cat- or turbo-back, then by all means go for a set of nice dual tips or go twin exhaust , either single or dual tips.

it does look nice and looks like they did an excellent job.

Thanks Northpole... you've often got a slightly different aesthetic to many I would say but that's what makes us all different, lol... I really like the dual tips, preferable to a single one, which were available on some of the 8Vs and 1.9s I believe. The original rear silencer has two seperate pipes out and is bigger, not sure of the design reason why, since there is no more smoke from this new one. I dislike the hidden ICE exhausts... it smacks of emebarassment that they are even ICEs. I love exhaust tips, preferably dual at each side. Interesting data on the old one, I would say almost certainly fitted at factory though - many parts are VW in these cars and shared over various VAG products, though I could be wrong.

I am aware of how they work, but to be honest, some are better than others, and if used sensibly, are ok.
Also can be removed as easly as fitted, a hard remapp back to factory would cost more due to the double flashing cost.

but hey, it does what is says on the tin.

It came out as the best one in that Darkside test, so it is one of the best ones, but as I say non of them realised more than half of the maker's claimed gains. It can be easily removed, which is a great thing too, but it then takes time for the ECU to adapt again, or rather the ECU recieving true feeback to adjust - just something to be aware of for say emissions before an MOT perhaps, and possible attendant over and above carbon build up, from standard. But hey Rob, I'm not a fan of remapping diesels in any form, particularly where there's a DPF, so don't listen to me, have fun.

 

[B7Tourer]

I forgot to add... horror of horrors, lol... when I rocked up to get the exhaust fitted, I noticed someone yet again in the village has done a hit and run on my car, whilst exiting or entering by my parallel parked car; scraping the driver's corner bumper and lip. I've touched up a little and T-cut the white car's marks, but it's booked in to my paint guy on the 22nd, to have it done properly. This is the fifth time, round here, this has happened and Rob's painted it!

The fabric centre armrest cover also arrived. The black stands out against the dark grey too much, so I'll have to dye it, but at 17 quid and the only one in fabric I've ever found it's not too shabby.

 

[northpole]

I just dislike the turned down exhaust tips with a passion. Just hide the complete exhaust if it has to have a turned down exhaust tip. Even better if it's designed to be out of view completely. But that is my opinion and has my preference.

 

[Matt275]

I just dislike the turned down exhaust tips with a passion. Just hide the complete exhaust if it has to have a turned down exhaust tip. Even better if it's designed to be out of view completely. But that is my opinion and has my preference.

My B5.5 Passat and MK4 pipes are hidden, invisible at any other angle than at ground level really.

 

[Charlie Farley]

Sadly, I do like a nice exhaust tip...not the Carlos Fandagos ones though..lol

 

[northpole]

I never said I don't like straight exhaust tips... those are fine it's the turned down, looking like a limp wiener sausage facing down in shame of it's loss of masculinity thing i don't like... now that i said it a lot of you will see it that way too lol