Stevey Y

Hi I can better that this morning was minus eight so I had to cycle the glow plugs three times to get it to start, the best bit was no screen washers for the first two hours as some lame brain !Removed! engineer thought its a good shout to use an armoured plastic transfer pipe to the jets mounted on the bonnet and despite running neat screen wash the bar steward still freezes up, none of my Fords ever did this as the feed pipes were between the inner surface of the bonnet and the insulation, the award for genius goes to my old Alfa 147 where the washer bottle top area was wrapped around the expansion tank so it was always warm and never froze up in the ten years I owned it, I am gradually beginning to see through the myth of Audi build quality how did they miss this one when testing. Steve.

Hi Gents just going through my first proper winter in the A6 and just thought I would highlight a couple of experiences, no problem starting at -6 degrees but unless you leave it for at least fifteen mins it takes an hour or so before you get red hot air, regens are far fewer as below +6 degrees the EGR won't open otherwise allied to the really cold air coming in the car would not run therefore less reburning of the exhaust gas, all seasons tyres are a must have not found any side roads with thick snow that I can't get in and out of and you can see where the extra money went, all in all very pleased, oh and usual strange noises from the discs first thing as the thousands of tons of road salt corrode the surfaces of the discs overnight also getting slightly less to the gallon as the extra cold intake charge of air can't atomise the fuel as efficiently, bigger fuel droplets don't burn as well. Steve.

Hi have a look at Powerflex bushes they may well do replacement bushes for the subframe and you don't have to take the frame out to replace the bush. Steve.

Hi the two most expensive parts of a car for the manufacturer are the interior and the ECU. Steve.

Hi sounds like the pump is on its way out it is actually housed under the seat. Steve.

Hi any source you like as long as the part number matches, I would buy new as there is never any indication with second hand, I.E. how old/miles etc. Steve.

Hi its the width of your tyres, anything over 225 will produce this effect, unfortunately if you love the wheels that much thats the price. Steve.

Hi the IAT sensor will either be in the air filter box or integrated with the MAF not the MAP as thats a pressure sensor, its worth checking the wiring to the MAF for breakages etc if yours is in the airbox again check the wiring there is also the problem at the moment that very low ambient temps can cause this code, try giving the MAP a clean as well. Steve.

Hi the part number is the 4G0 number bottom left, put that in eBay and I think you will find you are spoilt for choice they are probably used on Skodas and a lot of other VAG models and are an easy change don't worry about the letter at the end of the number as thats a year denomination. Steve.

Hi if the gearbox has never had a service it is most likely the mechatronic unit that has failed, mind you try changing the oil and filters first as that often brings the box back to life again. Steve.

Hi this is what I keep trying to put across to people there is no such thing as cheap diagnostic units if you buy the best upper level of any platform you will get the best out of it, better still you don't have to pay the thieving Shiiiiiits at Audi their greedy rates, WIN,WIN. Steve.

Hi yellow is a non urgent fault red means serious, get the car scanned for faults as this will tell you the sensor that is playing up. Steve.

Hi it could well be that the rear N/S calliper/ handbrake is sticking as the brake system works diagonally I.E. front N/S and rear O/S are one system, front O/S and rear N/S are the other tandem, when the rears stick they don't allow the front partner calliper to release their pressure so they have minimal contact with that disc and cause it to bind and warp the new disc. Audi as usual are talking bullocks about the other stuff Steve.

Hi mirrors don't need coding its probably a break in the loom between the door and body, another one answer wonder, cheers easy, Steve.

Hi living on the edge with that one its a belt which is long overdue for a change. Steve.

Hi its only the mirror lens thats held on with double sided tape the backing pad with the heater element is soaked with a bonded resin which can't fail but the element inside can. Steve.

Well asked, it will make a difference to any diagnosis so would plugging it in for fault codes. Steve.

Hi check the connector to the light for corrosion on the unit itself and the plug, normally its a bad earth caused by those two components if so buy a good quality contact cleaner and give both sides a good hosing down, also check the wiring to the plug for breakages/deterioration. Steve.

Hi they all do it not just Audis, when I was running Mondeos that was there favourite trick as well as spreading foam crumbs all over the carpet I used to go down the breakers and find a car that was picked clean and buy the passenger seat foam and use that as it had less wear, I think the new foam is probably your best bet and is easily fitted so that will be it for another 168k by which time I think you will be past caring LOL. Steve.

Hi have you tried cleaning the throttle body as if this is filthy and the butterfly valve is sticking that throws up a code for the position sensor. Steve.

Hi is it a H7bulb or a D3S bulb, or a Ds5 bulb, does it have fish eye lenses or just a good old reflector, they are not all the same and a picture will help. Steve.

Hi Gareth well done, I would lay strong money that the plug in and the part are not even close to the Audi figure just for the sensor, who dares wins Rodney as Dell boy used to say. Steve.

Hi why are you going to Audi any half decent independent garage can sort that out, the vehicle needs to be scanned for trouble codes that will give you your answer. Steve.

Hi the cable will not work on its own its an interface that will have to be connected to a laptop that already has the appropriate software on it, the cable on its own is useless otherwise as you need something to connect it to, other than that pay your local independent garage to put it out with their scanner, if you own a car 2000 onwards some sort of VAG software device is a crucial part of maintaining your own vehicle, I put my service light and inspection due to bed with mine. Steve.

Hi this is the problem with remaps you will probably have to buy an uprated clutch, LUK own Sachs so I very much doubt there is any difference as as long as the dimensions are the same the branding is irrelevant. Steve.