Magnet

Hello Simon, Common problem area (particularly in this cold weather) can be a break/partial break in the wire within the flexible harness which runs from the body into the tailgate. Carefully pull back the rubber covering and inspect. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Peter, For what it means, both brands mentioned are most likely to have been ‘bought on price’, and particularly with Triple QX, it often comes or can come, as part of a Crossland filter combination. Crossland were once a very well respected brand, but now a bought-out brand mane exclusive to ECP. WouldI use them? No, but that’s a personal opinion. Based on the fact that DIY maintenance obviously comes free of labour charges, I always invest the savings by only buying quality parts - at best possible prices. To this end, I have stuck with Quantum oil which is/was the VAG recommended brand, and is usually listed on EBay. It has stood me in good stead with the humble A3 which now has in excess of 160K under its belt. Filters? only Mann or Bosch unless using VAG (at discount). Not sure of any of this helps. Kind regards, Gareth.

Perhaps I can now understand your earlier post about wanting to rev the engine at standstill!

Thanks for the reply some 4 months on. Sorry, another question:- why would you want to rev the engine at a high level sr standstill? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ian, Might be worth having a look at Beemerboy9 recent post on charges post Brexit, before committing to buy. Kind regards, Gareth.

You are very welcome to the opinions you canvassed for Andrew. I hope you get your problem sorted at the dealer you choose to use. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Andrew, ‘.....driving a cold car at 4 to 5,000 rpm would not be too far in my opinion.....unless you think that is wrong’. Sorry but for me, treating the car in that manner when cold, would equate to a high degree of disrespect for any piece of machinery. Couple this with your mother being inclined to drive on a flat tyre, then I bet there cannot be many potential buyers forming a queue to buy your used cars! Sorry Andrew, but you did canvas opinion. Anyway, your ‘misfire’ ( when up to operating temperature) obviously suggests something is wrong, and it may be associated with an incorrectly timed cambelt change by the main dealer, but that would realistically be rare - although not impossible. May I suggest you get the car inspected at another main dealer. Kind regards, Gareth.

Blinking heck Andy, never seen the likes! Just wondering what mileage this c5 year old car has covered, and what sort of service history it has under it’s belt? - or supposed to have. I would not be surprised if this filter may be the original, or judging by the state of it - may even have seen a previous life in another vehicle! If this were mine, I would be seriously looking to get the car comprehensively serviced by a main dealer or trusted local garage (using genuine VAG parts). Re. still smelling rich:- the car would benefit from a couple of good runs now that the new filter has been fitted. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Peter, Thanks for being in touch. As Kev says, in addition to listing your ‘wants’ on on line car breaker sits such as Partsfinder - there are more. Rather surprised this was categorised as non structural - quite nasty, and I would have thought not cheap to repair. Hope you find your parts. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ian, I too would go with your theory, and couple it with checking the Park switch -as starting points (pardon the pun). Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Uldis, but sorry, I don’t understand. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ian, Left and right, but only when cold is confusing. Normally such knock on lock issues are restricted to one side, or one side worse than the other, and is generally attributable to drive shaft issues. Your problem doesn’t sound like that, and I’m sure you will appreciate that trying to diagnose any such noise issue with out examining the vehicle is going to be difficult/impossible. Apologies, but I would suggest you get this carefully investigated at a trusted local garage as soon as possible, since the car is trying to tell you something. Steering and noises is not a good recipe! Perhaps you would be kind enough to let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Philip, If these trims are actually aluminium, then it’s likely that they will have been polished, but then coated with a two pack lacquer. Without seeing the current condition of them, it is difficult to recommend the correct treatment which will improve their appearance. Personally, I would not be tempted to use any abrasive type polishes unless you are certain that the existing coating has been eroded away. Can you post a photo of one of them? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Bruce, ‘......Serviced at Carshop at 36K.............and a few more times ..........now 70K’. Are you sure this was service 5 times in 35k miles? Can we assume you have seen invoices for these services, or have you just seen stamps in a book? If you are sure it has indeed been serviced at these intervals, then I would not be too concerned about the Brand x oil, assuming good quality filters have been used. No doubt the seller (dealer?) will be offering to service the car before you buy it, and if so, you may well end up with Brand x oil again. Re noise? If you are serious about buying this car, then I would be opting for an independent inspection at an Audi dealer or an independent, before agreeing to purchase it. Kind regards, Gareth.

Locking one way only Ian, or both ways? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Dave, Thanks for contacting the forum. I’m of no use to you with this one, I’m afraid , since with everything I’ve driven, the lights only come on when you open the door. Given the dealership a ring? I’m sure they will give you sound advice. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Christian, Thanks for being in touch. There are numerous threads where advice (and questions such as new/secondhand?) on where to try has been listed - even yesterday. I’m sure you will find suggestions via. search. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Ashley, You can buy mechanical assistance on the basis of a mechanic is a mechanic, is a mechanic, and you can keep going back to him ( or a number of such) and simply pay again and again for non specialist knowledge. You use the term ‘specialist’ and infer they are likely to be expensive. Not always the case, but they will specialise in your engine, and will know where to focus in a far quicker route - or you keep paying numerous small bills. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Michael, Apparently the air temperature sensor is incorporated in the MAP sensor, so that was changed to sort the issue. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Pete. It’s a great help if such information is provided within the initial post, to negate the need to suggesting avenues already tried. Try registering your want on Partsfinder etc. - there are more. Kind regards, Gareth.

Why don’t you entrust this to a trusted local diesel specialist Ashley? Far better than A.N. Other unknown normal mechanic. Ask a friendly taxi driver for a recommendation - they usually know where to go. Start by having an hour’s checking of the issue. Kind regards, Gareth.

Daft question Pete, but tried the Audi dealerships??

New or secondhand Pete? If secondhand, then register your want on on line breaker links, as has been suggested on here on numerous occasions. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Raymond, Thanks for being in touch. On back to first principles - first check the compressions on each cylinder and report back. If they are all acceptable then you would appear to have reasonably covered mechanical damage issues. I’m certainly not claiming this is your issue, it could be something like a camshaft position sensor which might also have been a victim of the whole damage scene. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks for coming back with the very useful update Richard. The lesson here is that you can have a service book stamped to the hilt, and assume that this is the be all and end all of a ‘good vehicle’, whereas in reality, it can just equate to an odd morning out on a ramp. You just cannot beat a discussion with the previous owner. Back to this car. Would I automatically discount it? Not before getting an estimate of how much oil this car is consuming in say 1,000 miles (I’m sure the previous owner will advise). If not frightening, then I would be asking myself how inconvenient and expensive this is going to be over say a year’s use. The car is 11 years old, and if all good in other respects, then what difference is adding some oil going to make to its overall enjoyment? At least you know the issue with this one. Refunding deposit:- I think you may well find that technically deposits are non refundable, so you could have an argument on your hands. Probably well worthwhile taking advice from CAB. Kind regards, Gareth.