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Audi A4 Maintenance and Repair

2367 messages,  Last post on May 16, 2013 at 8:34 AM

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What is this discussion about? Audi A4, Convertible, Sedan, Wagon

    
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Messages Page 123 of 237

#1219 of 2367 Re: NEW TO AUDI - I have an A4 1.8T Q - Any tips?? [shevis_audi] by samueld

Apr 23, 2006 (3:40 pm)

Replying to: shevis_audi (Apr 04, 2006 10:41 am)
Hay Shevi,
           Congratulations on the buy, I personally would have stuck with the newer car but seems you got a good price. I have a 1998 audi 1.8TQM , and that red brake light definitely means something. Either of two things your brake fluid is low, not good, or whoever did the brakes did not get the ones with the sensors on them. I noticed you posted this twenty days ago so hopefully this problem has been resolved.
Lastly I would definitely take your car to either a Audi dealership just for a good inspection so anything wrong can be fixed before your 30 day warranty is up or another mechanic who you will be going to regularly for services. Trust me it will be worth the $70-$100 your going to spend just to double check the car.
E-mail me if you need further feedback.
 
-----> David

#1220 of 2367 Re: Wind & fume problem. [lcr6] by tcasboy

Apr 23, 2006 (5:03 pm)

Replying to: lcr6 (Apr 12, 2006 4:29 pm)
You may have already tried this, but you might want to check the moonroof to make sure it is in the properly stowed position. I had left mine slighty down and although it didn't leak or anything it was a bit louder than normal and even though I looked at it and could see it wasn't seated properly, cycling it open and closed didn't help. Turns out I had the swith slightly towards the down position and all I had to do was put it to the fully up position and the noise went away. I felt like a moron but at least it was a cheap fix!
 
TB

#1221 of 2367 White smoke by mjmaudi

Apr 23, 2006 (8:20 pm)

My 1997 Audi a4 2.8 is giving me a hard time starting. It fires up slow like a diesel motor when cold then a big white cloud of smoke comes out of the exhaust after that it seems to run ok until next time I start it . can someone help me troubleshoot this???

#1222 of 2367 Re: White smoke [mjmaudi] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 24, 2006 (11:22 am)

Replying to: mjmaudi (Apr 23, 2006 8:20 pm)
I'd have the cooling system pressurized and then test the engine for a leaking head gasket first off, as white smoke is a textbook sign of coolant in the combustion chambers. If you pressurize the system, you can remove a spark plug and actually see coolant on it, or in the cylinders.
 
If perhaps the smoke you see is light blue and not actually white, then you might have leaking valve stem seals or worn valve guides--not such a serious issue. A cylinder leakdown test is a way to test for this condition.

#1223 of 2367 Re: NEW TO AUDI - I have an A4 1.8T Q - Any tips?? [samueld] by shevis_audi

Apr 24, 2006 (4:09 pm)

Replying to: samueld (Apr 23, 2006 3:40 pm)
Thank you for being so sweet David!! Yeah, i'll get the Audi inspection done soon. Even though i dont really trust that they will look out for my financial interest with any other services...based on a couple of consumer complaints i've read online,a nd the fact that the other day, when i went in to ask about getting a replacement battery for my car remote, the guy said they would need a 2nd key. I told him that the small dealership said they only had 1. Then he told me the prices for buying a 2nd key since "usually" the cars have to be reprogrammed after changing the batteries. I was like "But it may turn out that it doesnt have to be, right?" and he said "No, its going to have to be reprogrammed". Little did he know, i had already read the manual pretty much front to back cover, so i knew that (apparently) you could program the remote locking system by yourself using one key. Anyway, i went to Radio shack and got the batteries, then pressed unlock on the remote from inside the car, followed by pushing the unlock button on the door. That didnt work. Then i was like "Maybe i need to put the Key in the door after pressing the remote, instead of doing it from the inside. So i unlocked it via the key and the remote IMMEDIATELY worked. So that was great. Well, along with the Brake light, the ABS light is on too. And one Audi place told me that that Automatically means i need a new ABS Control Module. But im thinking that maybe its just that sensor that i've read about. Im interested in getting the Timing belt replaced, just to be on the safe side. They quoted me at $1,700 for that. A guy at NTB told me i could get that done for several hundred, but then an Audi guy told me not to let anyone tell me that and that those people probably wouldnt be doing it right.
 
Thanks again for taking the time to give me some helpful hints David. I had written about the car on a different website - heres the link to it if you want more updated/complete information...and have some time on your hands. lol. I wrote two reviews, one is called : "Small Interior..." http://www.carsurvey.org/review_89324.html and the other one is called "Great performance and features" http://www.carsurvey.org/review_89425.html I'll revisit this Edmunds website to check for replies (apparently i get a notice via email of any posts that occur anyway). Well, so far, im loving my Audi. I hope you guys are loving yours. And feel free to talk to me! Thanks.
*By the way, is there a REPLAY button for CDs (I have the 6-disc CD changer in the trunk)?? If so i havent read about or found it yet. The battery went dead the other day. I was late for work, but i was SO relieved that it was just the battery - an easy fix...once you find somone with jumper cables. lol And it was probably my fault - long story. But its a 99, so im thinking it was probably due soon anyway. I'll buy a brand new one for my baby soon.

#1224 of 2367 Ignition does not want to turn off by jtdavis

Apr 24, 2006 (7:25 pm)

We have a 97 2.8 liter A4. I had wanted an Audi since the coupe came out when I was in high school. We purchased our A4 in 1998 with only 17,000 miles on it and loved it for the first few years. Then the nightmare began. I dont have the time nor willpower to revisit all the repairs and money spent on this vehicle, but we have spent upwards of $8000 so far. I will just say this. Find a good mechanic and stay as far as possible from Audi dealerships.
Now our A4 has a new problem. I started it up and moved it into the garage and the ubiquitous "load noise" started to come from under the hood. I cant tell where the noise is coming from due to the plastic engine cover. It sounds like air rushing. When I tried to turn off the car, the ignition switch didnt want to turn off. The car shut off as usual, but it felt like something was holding back the key from turning all the way off. I turned it all the way off, took the key out, and the radio remained on and the car beeped as if the key was still in the ignition. This one feels a little more troublesome than the usual oxygen sensor problem. Does anyone have any idea what may be causing this?

#1225 of 2367 Re: NEW TO AUDI - I have an A4 1.8T Q - Any tips?? [samueld] by mason3

Apr 24, 2006 (9:40 pm)

Replying to: samueld (Apr 23, 2006 3:40 pm)
Hi, I am new to sites of this sort but I need all the help I can get. Seems like you are having one of the problems I am having. I just purchased a '98 Audi A4 5 speed. It did not come with an owner's manual which I will purchase for about $19.95 plus tax. I had a nervous feeling since purchasing it about a week and 1/2 ago. First the radio needed a code, I finally got. Then I needed an amp, previous owners took it and cut the chords. I didn't have to pay, the dealer did but sound system is horrible, need to change it. The amp does not belong to an Audi. To top it off the 6 CD changer is not fully in tact. The part for the CDs is missing. Display screen that shows the temp & gas mileage disappeared??? Now today, the brake fluid light came on, then the MPH 2 sign keeps showing up about 4 hours afterwards. Someone please inform me before I trade this thing in. I hear it's a good car but I do not think I got one of the good ones. Also, what type of gas, and oil does this vehicle take?

#1226 of 2367 Radio won't turn on! 2002 Audi A4 3.0 by nycaudi1

Apr 25, 2006 (6:26 am)

Replying to: mason3 (Apr 24, 2006 9:40 pm)
Help - my radio won't turn on! It still glows, but no text, no sound....not even that SAFE message I've read about. Any tips on where I might find the fuses, or anything else I should do before bringing it to the dealer? thanks!!

#1227 of 2367 Re: A4 Front suspension problems [pitsnogle] by gdb20

Apr 25, 2006 (10:26 am)

Replying to: pitsnogle (Feb 18, 2006 1:23 pm)
I have a 2001 A4 1.8T and I was quoted for 745 just for the tie rods. I'm kind of skeptical to spend that much money then to find out that was not the problem. I have been hearing this intermittent noise from the front end. I drove the car from dealer this morning and it is very quiet. ofcourse they have not heard they noice since It comes and go. I'm thinking of driving it for a at least another week to see what happens. any suggestions?

#1228 of 2367 Re: A4 Front suspension problems [gdb20] by jtdavis

Apr 26, 2006 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: gdb20 (Apr 25, 2006 10:26 am)
Yes, stay far away from the dealership and find a good mechanic familiar with Audi suspensions. I thought Audi had solved these front suspension problems. Here is a list of my front suspension woes we have had on our 97 A4:
 
Jan 2002: Replaced left front outer tie end.
Mar 2002: Replaced both front stabilizer links.
May 2002: Took car into dealership because the front suspension was still making load "clunking" noises. Nothing was fixed as the mechanic would have to "replace the entire front suspension to fix the problem."
Aug 2002: Front lower ball joints "noisy" diagnosis by Audi mechanic. Nothing repaired as "everything would have to be replaced."
Jul 2003: Replaced right front tie rod assembly.
Apr 2005: Replaced right front CV axle.
 
With all this work, the only difference I could feel or hear was the first repair. By 2002, I had given up on solving the problems. We now drive the car(when its running) with constant stretching and clunking noises coming from the front suspension. So, is it dangerous to drive your car with tie-rod problems? I cant say, but the experience with my car my be informative.

Messages Page 123 of 237

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