Magnet

Thanks Tim. Never did hear anymore from our Oliver. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome Jeremy, First thing to check is that you have 12 volts at the heater connection onto the rear screen. If you do, likelihood is that you have a damage-break in the actual screen heater element. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Shakir, Re. stop/ start. Do you want one with or without, this nasty, engineering averse system? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Emily, Opinions vary, and I would agree with Kev -P. Perhaps one important question to answer before moving forward in any (in caps) direction:- Can you confirm the Lion battery was the correct one for your car, and that it was coded to the car when first fitted? If not, it could toast the battery, and vice versa - the alternator - as the alternator treats the new battery - charge wise - as if it were the old defective battery. Replacing with Bosch? Yes, perhaps some years ago, but I now prefer Exide Premium, but of course it’s your choice. Kind regards, Gareth.

There are far more, and more competitively priced suppliers than ECP.

Thanks Kev. but beware of disconnecting Audi batteries, and the potential need to re- code after. Over on the Jaguar forum, there seems to be opinion that JLR systems don’t need recoding after fitting a replacement battery, but….

I know a localish motor factor who just won’t stock them, although having an account with ECP.

Lion battery- bless you. As I’ve said many times before, this brand would be firmly at the bottom of my desirability list. ‘Mixed reviews’ is being too kind. Worth bearing in mind that Euro Car Parts are believed to have re-branded them - can’t remember the new brand name, but something starting with S ? as per their exclusive Starline. Kind regards, Gareth.

Exactly Peter - hence professional all- parameter testing is required to confirm/ refute battery overall efficiency with battery condition critical vehicles.

Does your battery tested measure its cold cranking current Peter? Of course, everything boils down to maki g your own decision on what you want todo.

How are you going to test the battery Peter?

Excuse me being blunt Huw, but why on earth are you replying to a 7 year old post!?

Are you trying to tell us that this 19 year old car is £11K?

Please don’t talk to yourself Peter! With all electrical issues, take the cheapest route to component elimination, and get the battery efficiency tested, before investigating anything else. Halfords stores will do that. Worth getting the alternator output checked at the same time. Please let us know how you get on Peter. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Paul, My similar era humble A3 has started to behave in a similar fashion, although mine will unlock via. the door switch - but very hit and miss with the fob. I’m considering renewing the lock assembly with a cheap aftermarket one from EBay - as a trial. Kind regards, Gareth.

Sticky caliper piston/s sounds more probable.

£££££s

No problem at all Edd, it’s just that detail is important when you are trying to diagnose without access to the patient! Are you going to follow advice given, but obviously no obligation to do so?

No coolant use -great. So you can ignore the emulsion as being due to coolant mixing with the oil - hence not HG. Thanks for the caps in ‘only’ ( I don’t shout). Worth re-reading your first post:- ‘…we use this car almost exclusively for ~1 mile school runs…’ I can only reiterate the actions I would take if it were mine. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on Edd.

Thanks Edd, Does the car lose any coolant? If not, then the emulsion cannot be arising from any head gasket issue, and is probably serious condensation due to short runs and a failed thermostat. If it were mine:- Get the thermostat renewed ASAP ( don’t know why you would suspect the water pump because the car doesn’t get up to temperature). Treat the car to an engine oil flush, new filter and fresh engine oil - I use VAG’s Quantum Longlife 3 , but change it every year on an average usage of c7K miles). Get the car read for fault codes. Please let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome Edd, and thanks for joining. There is a lot of conjecture about ‘mayo’ and jumping to the conclusion that it is a definite indication of head gasket failure. I would say in your case that it is certainly due to/ aggravated by unacceptably short runs, and the fact that the engine doesn’t reach operating temperature - even if the thermostat was serviceable - which it isn’t! The fact is Edd, this engine is having a hammering, and is likely to suffer from the equivalent wear that would be encountered on a car operated on motorways and having done say x10 times the mileage of yours. Before going any further let’s start with an important question:- how often is the oil changed and when was it last changed? Kind regards, Gareth.

Don’t over think it Asem. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Just follow Steve’s advice Alan, and you shouldn’t go wrong. As said, I would certainly also renew the auxiliary belt at the same time - again, I use Gates. Worth ordering yourself some correct coolant - Comma brand should be fine. Please let us know how you get on, what you buy, where from, and at what prices. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello, Why on earth Autodoc and spurious brands?? Whatever you do, do not buy on price for this critical application - always buy quality parts at best prices. I’ve always stuck with Gates, who were one of the OE suppliers to VAG. I don’t have any connection with this company, but try entering your reg. no. into Parts in Motion ( Exeter ) website and see what their prices are. When you have done that, look on EBay for their listings for the chosen part - often a little cheaper via. this route. Unlike Autodoc, they do free delivery. Always renew the auxiliary belt at the same time. 135k miles an cambelt never? renewed? Glad you got away with that one! Please let us know what prices you come up with. As has been said, worth checking parts price at Audi for comparison. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Where is Rogers?

Do you have a multi meter to check bulbs, earths, continuity etc? If not, it’s worth buying one to move forward on this.