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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 46 of 237

#447 of 2367 Oil Sludge Woes Plague Volkswagen, Chrysler by innocencekills

Sep 05, 2004 (10:30 am)

Gr8t;
 
Just when I was looking to buy I came across this article over at cars.com
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Volkswagen is warning 426,000 VW Passat and Audi A4 owners of an engine oil sludge problem, and the Center for Auto Safety is asking the Chrysler Group to correct sludge problems and extend the warranty on 2.7-liter V-6 engines in 1998-2002 model year vehicles.
 
Sludge buildup causes engine performance to deteriorate. In extreme cases, sludge can cause engines to seize.
 
Affected Volkswagen models are 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines on 1998 to 2004 Passats and 1997 to 2004 A4s. VW won’t say how many engines have been replaced or repaired, or what it is spending to fix the problem.
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Link is here http://www.cars.com/news/stories/090104_storya_an.jhtml?page=news- story&aff=national

#448 of 2367 1998 A4 2.8 Fuse Box by jaidee1

Sep 08, 2004 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: KarenS (May 23, 2001 7:27 am)
Hi,
 
Do you know where the Fuse Box is? I did not have the book when I bought this car. Thanks.

#449 of 2367 Fuse Box 448 by giggs

Sep 08, 2004 (8:04 pm)

The '02 A4 3.0 fuse box is located on the driver's side of the dash board. Don't know about the '98 A4. Check it out to see if it's the same. Greg

#450 of 2367 Upper control arm failure - dangerous? by jrozes

Sep 13, 2004 (9:59 am)

I have a 1998 A4 1.8T at 90k. The dealer is telling me the ball joints on my upper control arms are cracked and need replacing. I've searched the forums and I understand that this is a common type of failure for Audis of this vintage.
 
My concern is this: the dealer is all over the map with regard to the severity of the problem. When they first told me the joints were cracked, I asked if it could wait since I was already in for a timing belt change and some other expensive repairs. Their reply was that it's not too serious a problem and that the worst that would happen is the ride would get bumpier and noisier.
 
Now the last time I took it in, the mechanic told me I shouldn't drive the car until they're replaced, that I would lose control of the vehicle if they failed. The way in which he said it, coupled with the previous statement that noise and vibration was all I had to worry about, really set off my BS detector. I don't feel like I can get a straight answer out of these folks now.
 
So is my car really an accident waiting to happen, or are they just trying to pressure me into expensive repairs? FWIW, there is no noise or vibration right now - I wouldn't think there's any problem at all if the dealer wasn't barking about it.
 
Thanks,
Jonathan

#451 of 2367 Re: Questions about reliability and gas [kristin] by banx

Sep 15, 2004 (3:44 pm)

Replying to: kristin (Aug 29, 2004 12:21 am)
You ask "if premium gas is absolutely necessary, since it is getting more and more expensive. Has anyone had a problem using regular grade gas?" I assume the manual calls for 91 octane. You could use 87 or 89 octane, but performance will suffer. Instead of 220 hp, your car will have much less hp available. Why pay for premium performance and not get it due to having bought cheaper, lower octane gas? There are knock sensors to adjust the ignition when you use a lower octane gas than required, but if the sensor fails, you could have engine-killing detonation. Is it worth the risk? How many miles do you drive a year? If 20K miles and you get 22mpg, that's 909 gallons/yr. If you bought 93 octane instead of 87 octane, that's $.20 extra/gallon or around $182/yr, or about $3.50/wk. That's a small price to pay for full performance from your Audi. What you could do to save $1/wk is fill it with 87 octane when the gauge is down to 3/4 of a tank, then fill it with 93 octane the next time, when the gauge is down to 1/2 tank. The weighted avg of the octane will still be at 91. If this extra cost of the gas gives you pause, you may want to consider another vehicle.

#452 of 2367 Oil Sludge by cole

Sep 17, 2004 (10:26 am)

Has anyone had an oil sludging problem? I've got a '97 A4 1.8T but didn't receive the oil sludge letter from AoA. My low oil pressure light has been coming on intermittently for about 1 month... It's in the shop now being checked out for the 2nd time. The first time (just before the oil sludge letter was issued), they told me that I just needed an Audi oil filter!

#453 of 2367 Vibration and scratching noise in the gas pedal by oburg

Sep 20, 2004 (8:31 pm)

Just got a new A4 1.8 CVT. There is one thing which worries me - the first time I start moving after starting the car, I feel a scratching noise and vibration through the gas pedal. It only takes a fraction of a second and goes away. A service shop says that that's how traction control is activated. But still the sound is a bit strange. Any thoughts?

#454 of 2367 oburg it's normal for the A4 by rowlandj

Sep 21, 2004 (4:37 am)

That noise is normal and it is the ABS system running a self-check and pressurizing.
 
I have confimed this with many other owners over the past year so it is one of those 'they all do that' noises and nothing to worry about.
 
JR

#455 of 2367 Noise from driver's side Rear of 2001 A4 2.8Q by pickupwbb

Sep 22, 2004 (6:09 am)

I have seen a couple of posts on this and I am curious if anyone has had any luck. There seems to be a subtle sort of grinding from the rear driver's side of the car. When I turn to the right it is very noticeable but when I turn to the left it is non existent. It kind of sounds like the binding sound you hear when a 4x4 pickup drives by. Just had new brakes and new tires put on and there are no loose parts. Is this part of the Differential or Quatro system? Any help would be appreciated. O/w this car has been solid for 55k miles and some hard driving over rough dirt roads. I do have the sport suspension on this car.

#456 of 2367 Oil Sludge Victim by hatemya4

Sep 23, 2004 (10:10 pm)

I have 2003 A4 1.8T and my car has been in the shop for now 22 days. It all started with oil pressure warning sign coming on all of a sudden with loud beeping. I originally thought the engine oil level was low, so I immediately filled it with a quart of oil. The warning initially went away, but the next day it came back and I had to take the car to the dealer. On the way there, my engine sounded like a car I just dragged out of a junkyard. (Together with that high pitch hissing noise everytime I come to a rolling stop, my car just looked new, but sounded like 1980 Buick) Anyways, they told me that my oil pump failed and luckily(?) the engine wasn't damaged. I am not so sure that I trust their diagnosis. Right before this happened, my driver side seat warmer was broken during 100 degree heat, so I had the car in the shop a week before this oil sludge problem occurred. I am going to look into filing for lemon law claim to get rid of this car and get something more reliable - a Japanese car. Be careful with Audi cars. Talk to people who own them before you consider owning one yourself.

Messages Page 46 of 237

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