Things to look for: 2001 A4

[rocketscienceracing at comcast.net]

> Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2004 02:00:49 -0500
> From: Richard Beels <beels at technologist.com>
> 
> Father-in-law has decided to buy a 2001 A4.  quattro, V6, manual, 50K 
> miles, fully loaded.
> 
> What are the vehicle-specific things to look out for on this one.  I 
> vaguely remember something about the coilpacks going bad or something but 
> have no personal experience with this model year.

FWIW, here's my A4 laundry list:

1. Control arms (really the just the joints, which are available separately, but not from the factory).
2. Wheel bearings. If they aren’t howling already, just start a “planned replacement program” as soon as you get the car.
3. It will probably be leaking oil everywhere: front seals, rear seals, oil pan. Make sure to drop the undertray and take a look. The undertray really only exists to keep oil off your driveway :-)
4. Timing belt: just do it!
5. Check all the hose related connections, i.e. power steering leaks, even windshield washer fluid leaks. The OEM crimp style hose clamps don’t account for hose compression over time and get loose.
6. Random electrical problems, especially the dreaded “air bag light”. Most of these are caused by rising resistance levels in the affected circuits due to oxidation of the contacts in the connectors. Don’t ask me what kind of plating they used on the contacts, but it gets worse with time.
7. The cruise control stalk switch really suffers badly from item 5 above, worthy of it’s own separate item on this list.
8. Oxidation and delamination of the side-view mirrors. An easy fix. Also, check that the heated mirrors still work, if so equipped, they burn out quickly.
9. If the car has the fancy trip computer display, these are prone to failing (dim, then gone).
10. If the car has a sunroof, check for proper operation. Electrical problems with the control switch and mechanical problems with the track are common.

That's it!

Scott
98.5Ar1.8Tqm