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2002 VW Golf refurb

Buttoned up the axles and front suspension today. Torqued everything to spec. Driver's side axle was easy because it's more accessible. Passenger side involved much contortion.
Next up is the timing belt. Might get that done tomorrow.

Oh and fixed the intake flapper valve on my new to me 2010 Audi A3 TDI.
More on this to follow.
Screenshot_20250806-123833.png
 
David said:
Buttoned up the axles and front suspension today. Torqued everything to spec. Driver's side axle was easy because it's more accessible. Passenger side involved much contortion.
Next up is the timing belt. Might get that done tomorrow.

Oh and fixed the intake flapper valve on my new to me 2010 Audi A3 TDI.
More on this to follow.
View attachment 68440
Click to expand...
We're thinking about swapping Linda's 2009 A3 TDI for a new Mini Cooper S. Had the Audi up on a hoist on Friday, Cleaned all the oil off the bottom. Short 10 minute drive. Back on the hoist and clearly the oil is coming from the crank main bearing. This means a complete transmission removal.
Just don't feel the energy for doing something that drastic. Maybe 10 years ago.
 
Dropping the transmission in the Golf was not difficult but it's not something I'd recommend doing unless you have a hoist and a concrete floor.
How many kms on your A3?
If it's low it likely worth doing.
 
David said:
Dropping the transmission in the Golf was not difficult but it's not something I'd recommend doing unless you have a hoist and a concrete floor.
How many kms on your A3?
If it's low it likely worth doing.
Click to expand...
About 135K. And it's been factory serviced for the last 16 years. Just had a new plastic intake manifold replaced because of lean mixture on left bank. Audi claimed they found a leak there. I couldn't make the fault go away for more than a day.

Then when we complained about the oil they stated they saw that the cam cover was leaking. It's not just a valve cover. It's the complete top side of the twin cam retainers. That cost a bundle. Might have happened from the disturbing of the intake manifold.

They also claim they are seeing some seepage from the turbo. And pretty soon we need to do the front disks and rotors... again. Like we did it what maybe 5 years ago?

It's actually in really good physical shape. The windshield and upper glass was replaced last year because she got hit by a rock on the highway.

Last week we had two fault codes with ambiguous signals from throttle pedal and throttle valve so either just all the cables disturbed and a noisy connection or yet something else is failing. When that fault showed up she lost acceleration and to some extent drive-ability.

She no longer trusts the car and since she has to open a pharmacy at 8AM being late or stalled at the side of the road is a no go.
 
jcdammeyer said:
About 135K. And it's been factory serviced for the last 16 years. Just had a new plastic intake manifold replaced because of lean mixture on left bank. Audi claimed they found a leak there. I couldn't make the fault go away for more than a day.

Then when we complained about the oil they stated they saw that the cam cover was leaking. It's not just a valve cover. It's the complete top side of the twin cam retainers. That cost a bundle. Might have happened from the disturbing of the intake manifold.

They also claim they are seeing some seepage from the turbo. And pretty soon we need to do the front disks and rotors... again. Like we did it what maybe 5 years ago?

It's actually in really good physical shape. The windshield and upper glass was replaced last year because she got hit by a rock on the highway.

Last week we had two fault codes with ambiguous signals from throttle pedal and throttle valve so either just all the cables disturbed and a noisy connection or yet something else is failing. When that fault showed up she lost acceleration and to some extent drive-ability.

She no longer trusts the car and since she has to open a pharmacy at 8AM being late or stalled at the side of the road is a no go.
Click to expand...
Sounds like it's time for it to go then.
I almost bought a 2006 Mini (Not an S) before I bought the Audi.
I'm slightly terrified of the Mini's because of some of the horror stories I've read about reliability.
If you're going new then you will have full warranty which is a good backstop for you.
They are fun as all get out to drive.
 
David said:
I almost bought a 2006 Mini (Not an S) before I bought the Audi.
I'm slightly terrified of the Mini's because of some of the horror stories I've read about reliability.
If you're going new then you will have full warranty which is a good backstop for you.
They are fun as all get out to drive.
Click to expand...

I managed to fold and injure my joints enough to get into a mini once. I'll never do it again. I'd rather walk. My wife could have sex in there but not with me.
 
Susquatch said:
I managed to fold and injure my joints enough to get into a mini once. I'll never do it again. I'd rather walk. My wife could have sex in there but not with me.
Click to expand...
I got to sit in a Lamborghini once. The seat wouldn't go back far enough for my legs to feel comfortable. So I cross that model off my want list.
 
I detest working on my daily driver. I tolerate changing fluids, brakes, and tires.

I always buy used and I choose my cars very carefully with priority one being reliability. I have done so few repairs during the last 30 years it would shock most people. Latest car 2005 Lexus is another example, I have done one small ($200) repair in the last 15 years.

Car before that 94 Lexus, no repairs until A/C acted up when 20 years old. At which point I sold it.

Car before that 85 RX7, only repair brushes for the starter $20 after about 7 years of driving.

My wife was determined to get an Outback when we started our family, what a POS, engine failed while under warranty twice. Engine light was on more than it was off. Sold that POS and replaced it with a Sienna, trouble free until 350k, then sold it.

I actually don't understand why people purchase cars that have a proven history of reliability issues.
 
2003 Corolla. Dullest car on the road, but 10,000 years from now an archeologist will discover it, put in fresh gas and a new battery and drive it home. Last major repair was replacing the Corolla emblem on the trunk, the glue failed after 22 years. And no one will ever steal it to go for a joy ride.
 
2007 Ram 2500 Megacab with the big Cummins engine. Still going strong. Lost the left side wheel bearings on the highway 3 years ago, the A/C quit 2 years ago, and the left upper control arm rusted through this spring. Thanks to @grease monkey for spotting it at our spring meetup. I'd have prolly driven it and never noticed till the right side went. No complaints. Very nice truck. Family all calls it a 5 star hotel on wheels. It's huge! Awesome on the highway or pulling a big flatbed or a big travel trailer. You can put six big 6ft6 guys in there and nobody will ever complain cuz Big Billy Bob is touching them.
 
DPittman said:
Eeeks I hope that's not the point the Sienna starts tk give trouble....mine has 335000kms.
Click to expand...
Apparently some people drive them to triple that. For us, the kids had grown so we didn't really need the van anymore and my wife now had her eye on a 450H. The only problem that van had was the tube for the rear seat A/C corroded and leaked. The guy that purchased it was a lucky guy, because that van had the oil changed every 4k, Krown every year. The engine sounded like new, the entire van drove like new, no squeaks, basically perfect.

How has yours been?
 
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