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Audi A4 Maintenance and Repair

2132 messages,  Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 9:57 PM

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

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#41 of 2132 squeaking noise and maybe a solution for the check engine light by bqtlee Apr 26, 2002 (10:16 pm)
I am experiencing squeaking noise from the front wheels of my 2001 Audi A4 1.8T when I am pressing on the gas while making turns. This happens during the first 10 - 15mins of driving after being parked for a couple of hours or more. After 15 mins or so, the sound goes away. The Audi technician has already cleaned the front brakes but still no luck in removing the noise. The noise sounds like something is rotating and touching a metal part. It sounds more like as if a belt is slipping while making a turn.   Does anyone have any ideas what could be the cause?   In case anyone is interested, initially I had problems with my check engine light keeps going on and off intermitently. I took the car to the shop many times and the mechanics couldn't figure out the problem and their computer keep pointing out that there is no problem (since the check engine light never comes on when my car is in the shop). Finally, the mechanic pump the gas tank with some sort of smoke and noticed that there was a small hole on top of the gas tank. They said that I could not drive the car and they had to replace the whole gas tank. Well, after waiting for about 1.5 months for the gas tank, they replaced it and so far (has been around 7 months) the check engine light has not come on.
#42 of 2132 speakers by lecram777 May 06, 2002 (4:28 pm)
I am thinking of upgrading the speakers on my 99 audi avant. it has the stock concert system. But circuit city told my that the system is amplified and the speakers and head unit are perfect for each other. I would need to change the whole system if I want any change at all. Is this true.
#43 of 2132 Head Gasket by zinzan May 19, 2002 (7:04 pm)
I am the original owner of a 98 A4 2.8Q with only 32k miles. I like the car and was planning to keep it for another 3-4 years. The dealer's mechanics just informed me that the engine is leaking oil and that the head gaskets are the problem to the tune of $3,500. Needless to say, I'm disappointed. Is anyone aware of a problem with 98 2.8s or am I just lucky?
#44 of 2132 Help - Problems w/ A4 ???? by deacref May 26, 2002 (5:56 pm)
I posted this on another thread - so if it is seen twice - sorry. I'm considering buying a used A4 - 1999 - w/ 37,000 miles. I have read a lot of posts - and it seems folks have had a number of servicing issues - where a lot of things have gone wrong with their A4. Am I just being paranoid - or is it a problem car? This would be a car for my teen age daughter - and wondering if it's too much car for her. But -I want something that is reliable - the car and her. Also - the price ? The dealer is asking $21,000. Said it was marked down from $23,000. It's got a sunroof - sports tires - Bose system - automatic -etc. Do you think that price is in line - or should I haggle? Thanks for your help. Replies to this message: mer71 (May 10, 2005 9:12 pm)
#45 of 2132 Audi Problem Solved by cpranger22 May 31, 2002 (9:17 am)
deacref, you are not being paranoid, you can expect to have a lot of problems with this car. If you are looking for something reliable for your daughter, meaning you don't think she'll take the time to take it to the dealer every time something goes wrong, this is not the car for you. I just traded in my '99 A4 1.8T/auto/cold whether/sunroof/52Kmi. and the most I cold get them to give me was $13,000 so I'm sure there's a lot more room in the price if you decide to go with it. I wouldn't. How about a brand new Jetta for the same amount of money (or less)? My niece just got one and they love it.
#46 of 2132 What do you think of A4 Avant by ric310 Jun 07, 2002 (10:57 am)
I am looking into a 1998 A4 Avant 2.8 with 78,000 miles ( a lot I know). What can I expect. I have been driving a 1992 Honda Accord EX 5 speed Wagon for years and have loved it. I have had no problems with this car. Can I expect the same reliability from the A4? What price should this '98 with that kind of mileage go for, I think under $12,000, Am I off. thanks
#47 of 2132 speakers for A4 by harlequin1971 Jun 13, 2002 (10:27 am)
Most OEM stereos can be upgraded in small or large steps. Overall, replacing speakers is the easiest way to upgrade sound without getting too involved with the car's stock system. Not sure what Circuit City meant when they told you that the amp and speakers were "matched." I don't own an A4, so I could be off a few facts, but I assume you have separates up front and in back (8 speakers total) powered by an amplifier directly connected with the head unit in dash.   A good car stereo specialist should know the location of the stock amplifier and whether or not the speakers would be an easy or complicated upgrade. About the only problem I could see is if the amplifier also contains the crossovers (unit that divides full range sound into 2 or 3 separate ranges, highs to the tweeters and lows/mids to the larger woofer speakers.)   Even if the amplifier does house the crossover units and is hard wired to the speakers, the crossover points should be easy enough to match up with an after market speaker.   I installed an ADS system into my BMW318, powered by an after market Sony ES Head Unit. I decided that the BMW system just didn't meet my needs for sound. I make the following reccommendations to you in this order of importance:   1. Replace OEM speakers with high quality after market speakers. Companies like MB Quart, Boston Acoustics, Infinity, or even kicker might make good choices. Try to listen to a few different pairs in the sample room, they won't sound like that in your car, but at least you can get a feel for their strengths and weakness for sound reproduction. General rule is too avoid buying speakers from companies that make everything (aka Sony, Pioneer, Alpine) and instead buy from companies that make their living selling only speakers...makes sense, if that is all they do, they have to be good to live!   2. Add a subwoofer. Nothing makes a more dramatic improvement in overall sound in a car system like a well-matched subwoofer. This can be tough if you stick with the stock system, but not impossible to do. General rule of thumb, smaller subwoofers produce tighter bass response, bigger subs go down to lower frequencies. If you don't listen to rap or dance music, a pair or 8s or a 10 should be plenty of bass to give you a meaningful improvement in sound. Spend a few extra bucks here for a good enclosure, the box that houses the sub is often more critical to sound than the sub itself.   3. Scrub the OEM amplifier. Some very good after market amplifiers can be purchased out there that are flexible enough to connect with OEM head units or with after markets. Without going into too much explanation, OEM radios tend to "speak" with other components in their systems at different levels than after market one will (high level versus low level signals.) Choices for good amps are nearly endless. The more you spend on an amp, usually, the more power and features, and sometimes, more channels. A 5-channel amplifier with a built in sub crossover would be ideal, sending power to the front, back, and sub speakers.   4. Scrub the head unit. Here is where I start to cry. Finding a head unit that will match the aesthetics of your lovely A4's interior. The majority of the after market in car audio is geared towards 16-25 year olds with multi-color dancing displays and the displays get worse as you move up the ladder to the more expensive, higher quality head units. No advice for you here - good luck.   5. Sound deadening - the final frontier. If you want to squeeze more performance out of a full blown system, the last step is usually to add sound deadening panels into the trunk, door, firewalls and floorboards. These panels can significantly reduce noise and dampen the parts, preventing sound rattles and harmonic resonances inside the vehicle. This is the last step in most high end systems, after this, you start all over, with more expensive equipment each step of the way.   Hope this helps a little to someone. Replacing the OEM speakers should be easy...consider finding a better resource than a disinterested clerk at a big box retailer. Find a good custom shop in your town that caters to higher end competition installations, and you will quickly find a major difference in approach and in the final sound of your car.   Good luck.   harlequin
#48 of 2132 head gaskets - leaking oil by tim_hooligan Jun 17, 2002 (6:37 am)
my 2001 A4 1.8T was also leaking oil, but this started with about 5000 ticks on the odometer. fortunately for me, this was under warranty and the dealer fixed it. They stated it was a valve cover gasket leaking and a tensior belt needed adjustment too. whatever. whoever built my car just got back from oktoberfest or something.   i am also getting the grinding/rumbling in second gear like a previous poster stated. it's not a squeaking, but more of a vibration. they cleaned the brakes, but i keep telling them it's only in second gear and at low speeds. if you turn, it gets worse. now i'm waiting for the tranny to drop out of it.   actually, i'm hoping it leaks oil again so i can pull a lemon law out of my pocket. A4's are nice, but i can't be having my car go in every month for something else going wrong. if i wanted that, i'd saved a couple thousand and bought a FORD.   if anyone has any ideas about the grinding, please chime in.
#49 of 2132 Help needed on whether to purchase a 98 A4 by tsuoying Jun 17, 2002 (10:49 am)
Hi everyone, I'd like to pick your brains and experience on the following issue. I'm considering purchasing a 98 A4 2.8 Quattro with manual transmission and the sports package (suspension). Everything was fabulous about the car but when test driving it, I thought the tachometer needle was reading too high. Cruising at about 60 mph on a level road on 5th gear, the needle was at 4200 - 4500 rpm. And when doing moderate acceleration from dead stop, the needle hit almost the end of the red zone. Is that normal?? I can almost accept the red zone at low gears but 4500 rpm at 60 mph with 5th gear? What would it do at much higher speeds? Does the Quattro somehow adjusts for the higher speeds without linearly upping the rpm?   Do you A4 owners observe this to be normal? I'm not expert with transmissions or engines but the engine did not sound overly worked at those rpms. I thought maybe it's just the meter and everything is amplified by 30% or something. Is that possible? Or is what I described perfectly normal? Any help you nice folks can provide would be great! Thanks!   paul P.S. please email to pthuangaol.com if you could also...
#50 of 2132 wow by lecram777 Jun 17, 2002 (12:13 pm)
thanks harlequin, that really helps alot. You're definitely right, I should go to a specialty shop. They know what to do and what definite choices I have for this car.   thanks

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