Superb attention to detail. I love seeing your work on the older mules! Keep it up 
Goodbye Vauxhall (sort of), well hello Audi S3
- Thread starter Harvey
- Start date
I noticed my S3 oil filler cap had oil vapour around it so my additional o-ring under the lip fix wasn’t working. During my research I’d seen an EA888 Gen3 oil cap seal kit on AliExpress so took a punt and exactly three weeks later these arrived.
I'm really impressed with the quality and finish. They seem to be some sort of dense silicone like substance unlike the OE rubber which has gone hard.
The fit is perfect to the oil filler cap, they simply pressed on lovely using your hands.
The cap itself felt a little tighter than it was previously to fit so lets hope this stops any future oil vapour escaping and messing with my lovely clean engine bay.
For anyone interest the AliExpress seller I purchased from is here, the price has gone up since I bought but not by much. There is also another seller I’ve found since buying here which looks identical and cheaper. So take a deep breath and go buy direct from China and avoid those costly European post-Brexit delivery fees hahahahaha.
I'm really impressed with the quality and finish. They seem to be some sort of dense silicone like substance unlike the OE rubber which has gone hard.
The fit is perfect to the oil filler cap, they simply pressed on lovely using your hands.
The cap itself felt a little tighter than it was previously to fit so lets hope this stops any future oil vapour escaping and messing with my lovely clean engine bay.
For anyone interest the AliExpress seller I purchased from is here, the price has gone up since I bought but not by much. There is also another seller I’ve found since buying here which looks identical and cheaper. So take a deep breath and go buy direct from China and avoid those costly European post-Brexit delivery fees hahahahaha.
Not used the S3 much recently so it’s ticking over on its heart monitor and the Accumate is doing its thing keeping the battery healthy in this cold Winter spell we’re currently experiencing.
I decided to take a punt and swap over the button cover for the MMI screen as my retrofit last year used the later button bar with the screen on/off logo and not the early up/down version.
A careful, gentle and then more forceful level under the button using one of my plastic pry/trim tools soon had the job sorted. Looking much more period correct for my MY2017 S3 with roll up/down MMI screen.
I decided to take a punt and swap over the button cover for the MMI screen as my retrofit last year used the later button bar with the screen on/off logo and not the early up/down version.
A careful, gentle and then more forceful level under the button using one of my plastic pry/trim tools soon had the job sorted. Looking much more period correct for my MY2017 S3 with roll up/down MMI screen.
I always say its the little things that countNot used the S3 much recently so it’s ticking over on its heart monitor and the Accumate is doing its thing keeping the battery healthy in this cold Winter spell we’re currently experiencing.
I decided to take a punt and swap over the button cover for the MMI screen as my retrofit last year used the later button bar with the screen on/off logo and not the early up/down version.
A careful, gentle and then more forceful level under the button using one of my plastic pry/trim tools soon had the job sorted. Looking much more period correct for my MY2017 S3 with roll up/down MMI screen.
MikhailCompo
Registered User
er: 139994"]
So to celebrate this momentous occasion I had a tweak in VCDS and activated the passenger mirror dip when reversing in bit 2 & 3 long coding for module 52. Works a treat and really does help to stop the nearside rims getting munched against gnarly stuff.
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Do you need to have electric folding mirrors for this feature?
I enabled it using OBDeleven but cant get it to work.
So to celebrate this momentous occasion I had a tweak in VCDS and activated the passenger mirror dip when reversing in bit 2 & 3 long coding for module 52. Works a treat and really does help to stop the nearside rims getting munched against gnarly stuff.
Do you need to have electric folding mirrors for this feature?
I enabled it using OBDeleven but cant get it to work.
No you don't require elec folding mirrors as I activated & used this feature prior to the elec folding mirror retrofit & it worked perfectly. If your vehicle is a rhd make sure your mirror switch is in the lh mirror position when selecting reverse otherwise the mirror dip won't function. It'll remain in the dip position out of reverse unless the vehicle is moving at 10mph> or you move the mirror switch out of the required position for the feature to work.
I've posted this elsewhere on the forum in a rather interesting thread relating to your car ownership history here but thought I'd also stick it in my on-going vehicle tinkering diary for all your amusement 
My vehicle ownership list; I've been driving since 1995 and I tend to keep cars a good few years, some of which I've still got.
Alas, no pics of the Nova Diamond I'm afraid as well as the cars rusting away the pictures also have.
Astra L Max Power here we come!
Astra Starmist, one of the two I've owned but don't know which this one is.
Astra GSi, 202K on the clock and still made above book figures on the rollers.
Astra SRi, low mileage but required a bit too much work under the skin so waved bye bye.
Omega GLS workhorse 1.
Calibra SE9 lovely motor but started going pink so moved it on.
Cavalier Cesaro tidy and did what it says on the tin...rust.
Frontera workhorse 2.
GTE 16v complete with the legend himself John Cleland (BTCC with honours) who I met at a photoshoot back on 2009 at Knockhill circuit as I had a magazine feature with my car.
Vectra Super Touring 200 or ST200 for short, nuff said, still got it, going nowhere.
Astra Artic now with a lush V6 that I rebuilt and wedged under the bonnet. Wifey loves it so it's staying.
Vectra VXR Estate getting very very rare now with only 134 estate made.
Touareg Altitude V10 workhorse 3 in style, beast and will never be forgotten.
Amarok V6 workhorse 4 with all the AdBlue shenanigans and 550Nm of go.
Audi S3 which will be a long term keeper as the wife & I love it
My vehicle ownership list; I've been driving since 1995 and I tend to keep cars a good few years, some of which I've still got.
- Vauxhall Astra L mk2 1.3L 5 door
- Vauxhall Vectra Super Touring 200 #0005 of 38 produced, still owned since 2001
- Vauxhall Astra Starmist 1.4L
- Vauxhall Astra Starmist 1.4L, yes another one
- Vauxhall Astra GTE 16v mk2, still owned since 2004 was stock now a fully fledged road legal track car with gnarly bits
- Vauxhall Omega Estate GLS 2L
- Vauxhall Frontera 2.2L 5 door
- VW Touareg Altitude 5.0L V10, very sad day when this was sold but served it's time well
- VW Amarok 3.0L V6, current ownership
- Vauxhall Nova Diamond 1.2L
- Vauxhall Astra Arctic 1.6L but now with a 3.0L V6, still owned since 1999
- Vauxhall Astra GSi mk3
- Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8L mk2
- Vauxhall Calibra SE9 2.5L V6
- Vauxhall Cavalier Cesaro 1.8L
- Vauxhall Vectra VXR Estate 2.8L V6 Turbo
- Audi S3 mk3 FL, current ownership
Alas, no pics of the Nova Diamond I'm afraid
as well as the cars rusting away the pictures also have.Astra L Max Power here we come!
Astra Starmist, one of the two I've owned but don't know which this one is.
Astra GSi, 202K on the clock and still made above book figures on the rollers.
Astra SRi, low mileage but required a bit too much work under the skin so waved bye bye.
Omega GLS workhorse 1.
Calibra SE9 lovely motor but started going pink so moved it on.
Cavalier Cesaro tidy and did what it says on the tin...rust.
Frontera workhorse 2.
GTE 16v complete with the legend himself John Cleland (BTCC with honours) who I met at a photoshoot back on 2009 at Knockhill circuit as I had a magazine feature with my car.
Vectra Super Touring 200 or ST200 for short, nuff said, still got it, going nowhere.
Astra Artic now with a lush V6 that I rebuilt and wedged under the bonnet. Wifey loves it so it's staying.
Vectra VXR Estate getting very very rare now with only 134 estate made.
Touareg Altitude V10 workhorse 3 in style, beast and will never be forgotten.
Amarok V6 workhorse 4 with all the AdBlue shenanigans and 550Nm of go.
Audi S3 which will be a long term keeper as the wife & I love it
More future service stock as I managed to source a DSG/S-Tronic genuine filter that VAG list as a filter for life but I say if you can change it then you should. My box is the DQ381 (0GC) which I thought took filter no. 0GC325183A but the supplier is an Audi dealer who I sent my VIN/reg and they confirmed filter part no.0GC325183 fits plus they included the o-ring seal.
More future service stock as I managed to source a DSG/S-Tronic genuine filter that VAG list as a filter for life but I say if you can change it then you should. My box is the DQ381 (0GC) which I thought took filter no. 0GC325183A but the supplier is an Audi dealer who I sent my VIN/reg and they confirmed filter part no.0GC325183 fits plus they included the o-ring seal.
Where did you see it listed for life? DSG fluid and filter should be changed ever 40,000 miles according to my service documents (for the S3 that is). Of course they do modify these quite a bit over the life of the car but it would be crazy to not change the DSG fluid and filter at regular intervals.
S-Tronic transmission -
Change fluid and filter element for clutch hydraulics
Every 40,000 miles A3 Sedan and Cabriolet Non-B-cycle 2.0T, S3, TT, TTS, S5, S6, S7 4.0T, and R8 (4S) only
If you read the official VAG SSP 556 The 7-speed Dual Clutch Gearbox 0GC it’s clearly listed on page 30 highlighted below.
I have a 2016 facelift S3 and the “MyAudi” app says dual clutch S-tronic gearbox fluid every 80k miles. My car is coming up to 38k miles so if my app is incorrect, I was planning on changing the fluid at 80k. There’s no time limit specified that I can see either
Interesting to see this for the 7 speed. I have a 2017 with 6 speed so filter changes still applies for my side. I would be curious to see your filter condition when the time comes (if you ever change it that is). I assume your 7 speed still has the filter housing on top of the transmission?
I have a 2016 facelift S3 and the “MyAudi” app says dual clutch S-tronic gearbox fluid every 80k miles. My car is coming up to 38k miles so if my app is incorrect, I was planning on changing the fluid at 80k. There’s no time limit specified that I can see either
My apologies that I forgot to clarify engine type. You may be 80,000 for the change if B-cycle model:
Yes the DQ381 filter sits on top of the box & shortly after the release of the servicing data for this S-Tronic/DSG the schedule was revised from 80k to 38k. There's a lot of misleading info floating around regarding this but me being me I'll be serving it, both oil+filter, way before the recommended scheduled 38k
Gave the wife’s Astra mk3 V6 a visual inspection the other month and noticed the l/h front Koni shocker was leaking from the top adjuster. Only a minor weep but required fixing nevertheless.
Removed both front struts, note the hub is part of the unit so not a quick job like on modern stuff.
After enquiries a refurb for my existing shocks was going to be just shy of £200 (pair), brand new replacements were around £240 (pair) or a completely free fix using my old spare GTE track day suspension. I opted for option C, a free fix. After stripping the mk3 suspension I found I had used mk2 GTE 16v inserts and my GTE kit was actually mk3 GSi so perfect for what I required.
Fresh mk3 inserts going in and manly stilsons used to tighten the locking nut which should be 200Nm. I’ve had the locknut come loose previously so a blob of thread lock and good tug on the stilsons should put pay to that happening again.
Boshed the Cav mk3 V6 Eibach spring on, top mount gubbins and repeated for the other side. Leak resolved for no expense, winning.
Once I’d got the struts refitted, I rerouted the ABS and brake pad wear sensor wiring more neatly as I was never happy how it looked previously. Much better this time with cost free shocker replacements being the best.
Removed both front struts, note the hub is part of the unit so not a quick job like on modern stuff.
After enquiries a refurb for my existing shocks was going to be just shy of £200 (pair), brand new replacements were around £240 (pair) or a completely free fix using my old spare GTE track day suspension. I opted for option C, a free fix. After stripping the mk3 suspension I found I had used mk2 GTE 16v inserts and my GTE kit was actually mk3 GSi so perfect for what I required.
Fresh mk3 inserts going in and manly stilsons used to tighten the locking nut which should be 200Nm. I’ve had the locknut come loose previously so a blob of thread lock and good tug on the stilsons should put pay to that happening again.
Boshed the Cav mk3 V6 Eibach spring on, top mount gubbins and repeated for the other side. Leak resolved for no expense, winning.
Once I’d got the struts refitted, I rerouted the ABS and brake pad wear sensor wiring more neatly as I was never happy how it looked previously. Much better this time with cost free shocker replacements being the best.
Managed to source the correct transmission oil part no.G055529A2 for my DSG box (DQ381) at a bargain price, sorry Audi S-Tronic is a mouthful. From what I’ve researched the box takes 6L for a complete dry fill and around 4.6L for an oil change (+filter) so I grabbed the full 6L knowing it gives me wiggle room.
I can happily report after a few hundred miles of mixed driving the oil cap is no longer weeping & has no visible oil vapour around it as you can see below. The EA888 Gen3 aftermarket oil cap seal comes highly recommended, see my post here for further details and links to purchase.
I can happily report after a few hundred miles of mixed driving the oil cap is no longer weeping & has no visible oil vapour around it as you can see below. The EA888 Gen3 aftermarket oil cap seal comes highly recommended, see my post here for further details and links to purchase.
Back to my Vauxhall roots for the last few weeks as I’ve been safely storing a rare 2002 mk4 Astra SRi Turbo while a friend moves to a new house. It’s been a rolling project for him since 2014 and slowly being restored back to original.
I can’t help myself so while it’s been with me I’ve treated it to a wash including in the fuel filler cap area, inside the rims and under the bonnet. It beaded rather nicely after it’s final rinse.
This lot is going as the OE airbox, intake and intercooler will be refitted.
I removed the VXR etched branding from the tailpipe after checking my mate wanted it gone. I have no idea why Milltek did this in the first place. Attacked it with wet’n’dry 600/1000/1500/2500 grit before a final Autosol polish. The pictures don’t really do it justice as it looks so much better in the flesh.
Managed to sort the cooling fan continually running with the ignition on traced to a/c pressure switch loom plug corroded due to missing weather seal. Cleaned the crank sensor which had a scary amount of metal filings attached as well as removed and cleaning the spark plugs before a hot compression test with all cylinders +/- 5psi.
I’ve never been a fan of the mk4 hatch and prefer the coupe looks but it’s been nice playing with something different.
I can’t help myself so while it’s been with me I’ve treated it to a wash including in the fuel filler cap area, inside the rims and under the bonnet. It beaded rather nicely after it’s final rinse.
This lot is going as the OE airbox, intake and intercooler will be refitted.
I removed the VXR etched branding from the tailpipe after checking my mate wanted it gone. I have no idea why Milltek did this in the first place. Attacked it with wet’n’dry 600/1000/1500/2500 grit before a final Autosol polish. The pictures don’t really do it justice as it looks so much better in the flesh.
Managed to sort the cooling fan continually running with the ignition on traced to a/c pressure switch loom plug corroded due to missing weather seal. Cleaned the crank sensor which had a scary amount of metal filings attached as well as removed and cleaning the spark plugs before a hot compression test with all cylinders +/- 5psi.
I’ve never been a fan of the mk4 hatch and prefer the coupe looks but it’s been nice playing with something different.
The S3 got its weekly wash early yesterday and the paintwork is still looking fresh.
I grabbed a fresh tube of Autosol a few months back and it finally had some use.
The quad tips were just beginning to mark up and that’ll never do so they were subjected to a good hand buff and came up well. This is the r/h pair with the l/h looking identical and a lovely mirror finish. Oh, I do like a nice shiny tip making it even more exciting when you have four to look at!
It does upset me when you see a nice-looking vehicle which has never had any loving given to the chrome exhaust tips
It doesn’t take much to keep them fresh so come on peeps give them some joy and get buffing.
I grabbed a fresh tube of Autosol a few months back and it finally had some use.
The quad tips were just beginning to mark up and that’ll never do so they were subjected to a good hand buff and came up well. This is the r/h pair with the l/h looking identical and a lovely mirror finish. Oh, I do like a nice shiny tip making it even more exciting when you have four to look at!
It does upset me when you see a nice-looking vehicle which has never had any loving given to the chrome exhaust tips
It doesn’t take much to keep them fresh so come on peeps give them some joy and get buffing.
Nice tip Harvey!!!
Had a poke around the S3 last night with my VCDS having realised I can check the number of times the S3 had been launched using the procedure aptly titled Launch control programme within the user manual.
I’m pleased to say my S3 has never ever, just as I thought, been launched. Goes to show it’s had a controlled and pleasurable up bringing. For anyone wanting to check their car and having access to VCDS it’s in Module 02. The German>English translation fir the description is “anzahl launch control anfahrt > number of launch control approach”. I was also checking where the transmission oil temp value was located for when I change the fluid and filter in the future.
I’d read but not realised the S3 comes with a fake exhaust noise which is Module A9 (sound actuator) so I’ve now turned it off completely having been at 100.0% when I checked prior to turning it off at 0.0%. The vehicle is loud enough for me, so I don’t need some reprobate synthetic emulated sound pumped into the car thank you very much. If I want a loud car interior experience, then I’ll jump in my GTE and take that for a drive as it really does hurt your eardrums.
On a sad note a stone hit the screen the other day while driving along in traffic. It's at the bottom r/h of the screen in the black boarder area.
On the face of it doesn’t look bad until you look more closely and see the spider legs on the layer below. It’s the size of a 5p so I’ll keep an eye on it and if needed buy a new screen, so annoying.
I’m pleased to say my S3 has never ever, just as I thought, been launched. Goes to show it’s had a controlled and pleasurable up bringing. For anyone wanting to check their car and having access to VCDS it’s in Module 02. The German>English translation fir the description is “anzahl launch control anfahrt > number of launch control approach”. I was also checking where the transmission oil temp value was located for when I change the fluid and filter in the future.
I’d read but not realised the S3 comes with a fake exhaust noise which is Module A9 (sound actuator) so I’ve now turned it off completely having been at 100.0% when I checked prior to turning it off at 0.0%. The vehicle is loud enough for me, so I don’t need some reprobate synthetic emulated sound pumped into the car thank you very much. If I want a loud car interior experience, then I’ll jump in my GTE and take that for a drive as it really does hurt your eardrums.
On a sad note a stone hit the screen the other day while driving along in traffic. It's at the bottom r/h of the screen in the black boarder area.
On the face of it doesn’t look bad until you look more closely and see the spider legs on the layer below. It’s the size of a 5p so I’ll keep an eye on it and if needed buy a new screen, so annoying.
The use of 'launch control' was one of the first things I had checked on my car too, and thankfully mine has not been used either - I think it's just too complicated. If you have ever been in a car when it has been used, and if you have a shred of mechanical sympathy, you will never want it done to your car!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Checked the speaker thing and Mine is also turned off too - thankfully, I just don't understand it. - discuss!!
Bad luck about the stone chip, I would have it 'sealed' as the least invasive option if it's covered on your insurance.
Boy home tomorrow!!!!!
Checked the speaker thing and Mine is also turned off too - thankfully, I just don't understand it. - discuss!!
Bad luck about the stone chip, I would have it 'sealed' as the least invasive option if it's covered on your insurance.
Boy home tomorrow!!!!!
Get a piece of sellotape over that ASAP
It's 12 years exactly to the day that I dragged my (at the time finished) track car all the way up to Knock Hill for a magazine photoshoot as featured in the June 2009 edition of Total Vauxhall. I can't forget it as I had the absolute pleasure to meet the 90s BTCC legend John Cleland who I got to sign my slam panel and passenger in my own car when he drove it round the circuit. It was worth all 13 hours of trailer towing and strangely for Knock Hill the sun came out! The car has evolved since then but from the outside looks identical. The other Astra GTE in the background is owned by Vauxhall and is part of the Vauxhall Heritage Centre collection.
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I’ve had the tiny chip from the other week repaired by AB Screens who I’ve used in the past. Andy said as the chip was so small and where it’s located it was difficult to tell if the repair will last, at the very least it was worth a try so time will tell.
It was as cheap/cheaper to use my local screen company directly than it was to go through via insurance and use a national company who inflate prices which the insurance companies then pass on to the consumer with higher premiums, moan over. If you’re in the Nottingham/Derby/Mansfield area and require a screen sorting try contacting AB Screens directly, the number is on the funky work van or website link above.
It was as cheap/cheaper to use my local screen company directly than it was to go through via insurance and use a national company who inflate prices which the insurance companies then pass on to the consumer with higher premiums, moan over. If you’re in the Nottingham/Derby/Mansfield area and require a screen sorting try contacting AB Screens directly, the number is on the funky work van or website link above.
Are you pleased with the repair? my daughter had a chip done on her Lupo the other week before her MOT, by Halfrauds and it was CR __ P the fitter said he could not go inside the car because of Covid and left the repair resin sharp on the outside! needless to say I finished the repair at home it was snagging my wash leather!!!
