Magnet

You can try Neil , but not really an acid indicator of the battery’s efficiency Neil. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Duncan, My best advice would be to look up the contact phone number of LUK ( premium clutch manufacturer) and pass your question to their Technical section. They will be able to give you a definitive answer. Be equipped with the VIN as well incase needed. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Neil, but testing the battery ‘at rest’ with a simple multi meter is virtually meaningless. You will need to get it tested using specialised equipment. Halfords etc. should be able to do this, but I have known batteries to even pass this test, but not being capable of satisfying all parameters monitored by the battery condition monitor - if fitted. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Rizwan. I could be wrong, and often are, but would I be surprised if that description was one made up by the seller? If so you may have to expand your search and break this down into individual parts. Kind regards, Gareth.

Sorry Rizwan, it could be me, but a ‘rad pack’ isn’t a term I’ve come across before. Kind regards, Gareth.

‘Offers in the region of ? ‘ please Alan, to avoid potential buyer and seller being messed around. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Peter, Could you post some pictures and give some more details - mileage, servicing history etc. More importantly - the price - or at least ‘offers in the region of £x’ please. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ian, I had some good deals with Car Parts in Motion in recent times. (no connection) Might be worth a try. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mario, It’s not uncommon to have condensation within light units. You could try removing your ‘mastic’ and thoroughly drying out the unit with a hair drier, before carefully resealing it with a good quality sealant. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Neil, Always worth checking the alternator output. Eliminate possibilities before moving on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Mario, It’s possible that adding a bead of mastic has made things worse since you’ve probably now ‘locked in’ the condensation. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Marc, Sorry to hear all your good work and expense has unfortunately not solved the issue. I’m very much from the school of DIY fixing wherever possible, and so can sympathise with your plight. If it were mine, having spent time, effort and expense on it, I would now seriously consider ‘investing’ in an hour’s expertise with a trusted local diesel specialist - not an ‘ordinary’ local garage. It’s quite possible that they will have come across such issues before, and would be able to home in on the offending component. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Nickie, Many thanks for joining, It certainly sounds as if adding an additional earth lead has worked, so I guess it’s a case of biting the bullet and giving it a try -assuming the battery is as serviceable as it should be. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Dan, It seems you are working through it, and you will eventually eliminate leaks or faulty units. If the compressor is below par - as they often are due to ceramic piston ring wear, then Bagpiping Andy ( on Ebay) will be your best source of parts or replacements. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Welsh Andrew:- sorry not sure what you are trying to say.

Hello Jordan, Its usually spotted when you fully lift the tailgate and look up towards the hinges - a convoluted rubber ‘hose’. Kind regards, Gareth.

The answer has already been written in the above post - in my experience.

Hello Stephen, Thanks for joining. It’s worth checking the wiring within the flexible harness twixt body and tailgate. This is a favourite place for wires to fracture - particularly in cold weather - due to years of flexing by opening/ closing. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks A, Well cars sell when advertised, and biding time is fine, but a decision to buy or not to buy has to be made during the time slot when no one else has bought it. I guess we’ve all been there, and my conclusion is that if anyone was that keen in the first place they would have bought it. Please accept this as not being too critical, but I think your concern about the water pump, gave you an excuse -rather than a reason - not to commit to buy it. Having said that, hopefully this thread will have armed you with enough additional information to do the essential homework before expressing any serious interest in the next vehicle. Good luck with your search. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ian, As I understand it, E10 has been the norm on the Continent for a few years, and again as I understand it, there hasn’t been many reports of disastrous consequences with its use in older cars. I used it in three 20 year + cars last year, and a bit when allowed during Covid - well they are still running! I get the impression with yourself that ideally it’s E5 - or nothing - and I think you will have to consider the possibility of the ‘or nothing’ bit, since fuel stations are unlikely to occupy one tank with much slower selling E5. Again, I think it’s been justifiably pointed out on here that E10 is ‘up to’ 10% Ethanol, and doesn’t necessarily mean the ethanol content is consistently at that maximum. Just a thought. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Richard, Many thanks for joining and posting a very informative advert, for what seems to be a ‘nice buy for someone’. Let’s hope it finds a deserving home. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello A, Wondered if you decided to buy it or not - ? Kind regards, Gareth.

So what are you going to do Graham?

Hello Graham, Please see the responses under the duplicate post. I would certainly follow the advice of the supplying dealer ( rather than Audi’s crazy schedule) and get the cambelt and water pump changed, and indeed thank them for stepping over the line. My regime is to change it every 5 years, irrespective of mileage. Worth getting the auxiliary belt changed at the same time. Of course, you don’t have to use the main dealer, but being old fashioned, I would ensure a main dealer water pump was used. This is reinforced by a rattling 2 year old /10K miles covered water pump on a family non Audi. This kit was from a reputable ‘manufacturer’. Of course, it’s your call in respect of whether you renew the belt assembly or not. Perhaps you would let us have your thoughts Graham. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Shark, If you are looking for improved comfort, why on earth are you looking to use run-flats, and put up with their inevitably much firmer sidewalls - unless rim design dictates. OK no one can argue about the significant benefits of run-flats on the safety scale, but it’s a bit like walking around and going dancing in safety boots - Incase something falls on your toes! Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Jon, Can you be specific and list what price you want for the car please? If you are all unsure, you could list it on EBay etc. and let it find its worth by auction. Kind regards, Gareth.