Magnet

Thanks Awais, Do you have access to a lift or hoist, or are you conducting these inspections on your back? To me, it’s time to get it checked out where it can be inspected on a lift. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Apologies but the noise is barely audible, but my hearing is pretty poor.

Hello Chris, Thanks for joining. I think if you do a search for recent posts, you will see that VAG have now removed the time limit ……x miles, or x years - whichever come first.., and now only put a mileage limit of c130 miles ( I think but check). If your belt was changed 4 years and 46 K miles ago, then they they are now saying you can run it (safely???) for around another 8 years - or as long as it takes to reach their current mileage limit. Good news or bad?. Some are content to follow that ‘mileage limit only’, others - me included feel that will be taking a chance. I would suggest you read the opinions before deciding what best suits you. Under the old tried and tested system, your belt would need changing 5 years ( next year) from when it was last changed. Perhaps you could come back to us with your decision Chris. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. What mileage has this car covered to date, and what would be your anticipated annual mileage?

Many thanks for joining Awais, Having eliminated the obvious, have you checked whether one of the springs have broken - near to the spring seats? Kind regards, Gareth.

Welcome David, Have you, or someone else removed the wiper arms and checked whether the spindles are rotating or not. If not, then someone has to remove the panel which covers the linkage. Perhaps you would let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Dom. Sounds like you’ve got a great system, and with very good reason. Re. the fake filter - was it supposed to be a reputable brand, and from a recognised and establish seller? Best not name though. Good luck and kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Dom, Quantum oil - Superb- 438K. That would be enough of an endorsement without my ‘many years of using it’ suggestion. That really is incredible. Although I haven’t had any volume experience of using Opie oils, I understand they are reliable, and OK it generally costs you extra, but on a DIY oil change basis, does that really matter so much? EBay and ‘so many counterfeit parts on there’. Um, I’ve personally not encountered any issues with my purchases from sellers who I’ve had experience of, and trust. It sounds that we might have a similar philosophy insofar as I buy reputable brands at competitive prices (mainly off EBay and Parts in Motion etc.) but I don’t buy at cheapest prices on EBay. C.E. Automotive currently have a competitive price on EBay with Quantum, and I’ve bought my oil with them for a number of years to good effect. Main dealer parts? Yes, great, but generally not good for the wallet! Worth trying Discount Audi Parts (again on EBay) at Cardiff - Part of the now Mon Motors set up - was Cardiff Audi. They often offer a bit of discount. Also dealt with Aberdeen Audi at one time, but not sure whether they are still discounting. Hope some of this helps Dom. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Please note:- I don’t have any connection with any of the above mentioned businesses other than having bought from them in the past, and will probably buy from them in the future.

Suspect then?

Hello again Gideon, This is the same vehicle that you are intending buying?? Is it fair to ask why you are considering putting this 80k mileage engine under additional strain - do you really need the extra power? I take it you are at least going to renew the air filter before you undertake this, and ideally renew the engine oil and filter, unless it’s recently been done. I’m sure you will be aware that this will probably increase your insurance premium, but… Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Gideon, Well done for doing your homework, and there’s an off chance that someone on here may know of it. It appears the last owner has had it for almost four years, so that’s a positive. It was first registered in the Bristol area, so at least it’s remained in the West Country - we believe. Have you obtained a copy of the on line service history, by contacting a local Audi dealer? 4 new tyres sounds fine, but did you view it with the old tyres still fitted, so you have an idea of the evenness of tyre wear? Have you checked whether the dealer is fitting budget tyres or better tyres. If budget, have you considered making a contribution towards ensuring mid or premium range tyres are fitted instead? The on-line MOT history service appears to be offline at the moment - I guess you’ve checked that and now have a good idea whether advisories have been attended to annually. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. I’ll delete the duplicate for you.

Many thanks Stefan, Can I ask why the alternator and starter were recently renewed? Battery efficiency doesn’t simply depend on (‘static’) voltage - as measured when fitted to a stationary car ( this is effectively meaningless, as said) but the efficiency needs to be tested under load conditions where both voltage and its ability to maintain a high cranking current is assessed. Kind regards, Gareth.

Sounds great Deborah. Coded to the car? Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. sorry about all the questions.

Thanks David, Is this engine running on a chain rather than a belt? Hope someone comes up with a recommendation for you. Kind regards, Gareth.

Sounds great Dom, and thanks for keeping us up to date. Incase it helps, I’ve used Quantum Longlife 3 oil for annual oil changes for many years with our humble A3 - to good effect. Apparently is/was VAG’s recommended brand - blended by Castrol? I buy it at best prices from reliable EBay sellers. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Stefan, Electrical issues can be confusing, so always worth eliminating the simple things first. Apologies if this is known, but testing the voltage with a simple voltmeter is meaningless, and the battery (% efficiency) needs to be tested under load conditions. It would be worth getting the alternator output checked at the same time. If a new battery is fitted, then it would need to be coded to the car. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on Stefan. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Deborah, I too am sorry that the issues continue, and that a new battery hasn’t been a proper fix, but has the new battery been coded to the car? What make is the new battery by the way? Kind regards, Gareth.

Continuing the obscure, where you are, you will need an -er then!

Hello Stefan, Welcome, and many thanks for joining, and for describing the symptoms so well. No excuses necessary for your great English grammar. I think you could well be right in suspecting the Comfort Module, but I would add that the lack of the stop/start facility, can be as a result of a sub standard battery, since these vehicles certainly depend on an efficient battery. Do you know how old the battery is Stefan? It’s unlikely that it is the original battery, but not out of the question. Would you be able to get the battery efficiency checked (unless you know it’s a recent replacement)? With any electrical issue, it’s always useful to be able to eliminate the battery as being a contributor to those issues. Kind regards, Gareth.

Meter? - could be necessary on the dedicated supply - possibly likely?? Recouping some of the revenue lost through non use of fossil fuels? Increasing ‘road fund licence’ for EVs? Unless they increase this to over £thousand, the current tax (revenue) of c87p/litre of fuel would be seriously reduced via. the increased use of EVs, so increased electricity tariffs for charging them would seem to be inevitable - in my opinion (for what it’s worth! ). Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks Tony, Possibly too pessimistic for a weekend, but would it be too cynical to think your problem is likely to become more widespread? Pardon my ignorance with this, but is it such that all new EVs have to have a dedicated independent supply? If so, how long before this supply becomes metered, and the metered unit prices increased to try to recoup some of the revenue lost through the reduction in the use of highly taxed fossil fuels? Kind regards, Gareth.

So have you tried my suggestion - Bruce Forsyth or not? If you don’t have an assistant, can you commander some passing unsuspected for 5 minutes?

Hello Martyn, Welcome , and thanks for joining. Do you think the noise is associated with the actual engine, or perhaps transmission, or even suspension/ bodywork/ undertrays? Any chance you can clearly record this? Kind regards, Gareth.

Blinking heck Trevor, I’m a fully paid up member of older generation, with many years of experience behind me, but I failed miserably to get this one. Did anyone else get this first off? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Samanuel, Paranoid would be too strong a word for me, but (understandably?) over-cautious might be a much better description. From our side, we can’t be expected to be better able to judge this ‘totally unknown’ car more effectively than you or your uncle can, so regrettably, I’m coming to the conclusion that there is little else I can add in a situation where you are buying this car blind. What you haven’t answered is, if you bought this car ( sight unseen) at your offer price, how much cheaper would it be than buying a similar one where you can inspect it? Appreciate this is a closed auction, but can’t your motor trader uncle view the car for you? I’m struggling here Samanuel, since I feel you are no closer to deciding whether to buy it than when this debate started. If I can do any more you in terms of advice and suggested question asking then I’m really at a loss to know what it is I can do or say. Anyone else got any ideas? Please!! Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Patrick, It does seem to be getting quite a problem with many makes of cars, and include rear lenses as well - all very expensive units to change. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Burzo, Welcome and thanks for joining. I think it’s highly unlikely that the original posters will respond 10 years on, but we never know. I have removed your E-mail address from this open forum for your own security, and anyone can contact you via. a forum PM as necessary. Would you be able to outline what the exact issue is and what you have done so far to try to solve it. Kind regards, Gareth.