[A4] A question for the Audi Experts...

[Beth Leonard]

wow -- people really respond to this Audi fans website!
I am going to look into changing my oil to something other than 5w30... !
And I will look into the control arms... funny the mechanic at the most
well-known foreign car shop in town said nothing would take away the
squeaking from the control arms... even grease?? (I am smarter to know that
wasn't true, but maybe not smart enough to try it!) :)
Not leaving the country, just want it to last through the winter here in
Michigan...
no blue smoke from the exhaust..
thanks a lot for all the advice/info! really appreciate it!
oh yeah, and so not mechanically-inclined enough for the timing belt job.
just have an uncle that knows audis in and out.
too bad not speaking at this point, or he'd do the job!
Thanks again!
Beth

On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 11:06 AM, Nicholas Stock <nickstock at gmail.com>wrote:

> I'll echo some of Richard's comments...the timing belt on the 1.8T motor
> was always a concern (the tensioners were prone to premature failure if I
> remember correctly) and I think the community was recommending changing the
> timing belt and tensioner every 60K or so...however, I'm not sure if they
> came out with an improved tensioner that lasts longer...anyway, it does
> sound like your due (expensive). The oil sounds like a more serious
> issue...either one or more of your piston rings is on it's way out (do you
> see any blue smoke from the exhaust?) or you have a serious leak
> somewhere...Were you planning on buying a different car in 8 months or
> leaving the country? :-)
>
> If you're mechanically inclined you can do the timing belt yourself, took a
> friend and myself about 6-7 hrs to do the job on my old 1.8T but it's not
> for the faint of heart.....
>
> Nick
>
> On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 2:12 AM, Richard Hurt <rnhurt at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> A couple of things:
>>
>>   - There was a recall on the control arms, so you might see if it applies
>>   to that car and get them fixed for free.
>>   - Timing belt needs to be changed YESTERDAY!
>>   - Going through oil is never a good thing; is it burning it or leaking
>>   it?
>>   - 20k miles per year?  Wow, thats a lot of driving.  I hope it was all
>>   highway miles.
>>
>> --
>> Later...
>>  Richard           http://KangarooBox.com - We make IT simple!™
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Aug 11, 2010 at 12:11 AM, Beth Leonard <bethanyleonard at gmail.com
>> >wrote:
>>
>> > I currently drive a 1999 A4 1.8T Quattro with 217k. Timing Belt was last
>> > changed at 147,000. Was told by local shop it needed drivers side
>> control
>> > arms, but not too bad yet.
>> > Other than that... in really, really good running condition -- although
>> > burns through oil crazy, have to had at least 2-3 quarts between
>> consistent
>> > every 5000 miles...
>> > Need advice on what to do... car has been impeccably maintained
>> > mechanically, although interior hit... sell or hope it will last another
>> 8
>> > months? Any estimate for what I would start at for selling it to private
>> > seller?
>> > Sorry, I know vague, but any advice?
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Beth Leonard
>> > bethanyleonard at gmail.com
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > A4 mailing list
>> > A4 at audifans.com
>> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/a4
>> >
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>
>


-- 
Beth Leonard
AmeriCorps Health Advocate
SIREN/Eaton Shelter
245 S. Cochran Ave.
Charlotte, MI 48813
517.543.0748
bethanyleonard at gmail.com