Marm Toastsmith

Washed it.

Looks as if it's 13cm I need so you can leave them where they lie. Clock picture for the numerologist shiters out there.

I expect so, haven’t investigated yet. That’s very kind of you, thank you. I’ll check it out and get in touch.

Not yet, but an internet search has led me to the same conclusion (i.e. that it's worth a try before taking the dash apart). I have at least managed to run a head cleaner through the cassette player - annoyingly the deck didn't like it much, constantly reversing direction while it ran, but it seems to have done the trick. Farty speaker aside, tapes sound great. It's so nice to have CD and tape in the same car - I've actually bought a bluetooth adapter for the stereo too that I'm yet to fit...

Service bits ordered...half from GSF and half from Euro... didn't bother with a sump plug as I've also got a Toolzone pela-style oil pump on the way

I’m chuffed, ABS was a cheap and relatively easy fix and the car was nearly given up on previously because of it… CV joint is also noisy so I’ve booked it in to have that done, I’ll probably get him to do the flexi hose mentioned on the MOT too. Not sure where the oil’s leaking from but it’s pretty minor and doesn’t seem to mark its patch. I’m planning to change oil, filters and plugs myself, all are overdue and I’m hoping plugs will cure the misfire. Engine light is an O2 sensor heater bank which I also need to look into. Then there’s the heater flaps to troubleshoot, they won’t provide any warm air on the drivers side windscreen, actually quite a pain in the arse, albeit classic VAG that I have to use an old tea towel to demist the windscreen. And we’ve got a buzzy speaker on the left hand side. And some cosmetic bits - I bought a little bottle of touch up paint. Faults aside it’s a very nice car to drive, the V6 motor is supremely smooth and quiet, and now it’s proved itself in the MOT test the car deserves some love. I got my mechanic to present it for a test, apparently the MOT tester has a later “stanced” A4. He commented that this would look good slammed. I’m actually considering raising the ride height…

Funny this has been bumped up... I need new spark plugs for the Audi right now. Obviously not Bosch. Think it's going to have to be NGK, although Denso are temptingly priced.

I think the air con was on, maybe. I’ve pushed the ECON button, but haven’t opened the bonnet to see what the fan’s doing. Anyway, have a pic of my two Y-reg lovelies showing some surprisingly similar styling cues. 2001 was a good year, it’s hard to believe these two classy modern* cars are both 22 years old.

Don’t think it was switched on but will check. Was wondering if it’s viscous coupled fan, haven’t checked it out.

Yes, thinking about it there was a mention of misfires when I first hooked up the VCDS. No obvious sign of misfire, the engine runs well. I suspect the coil packs are original. Plugs are likely to be due replacement - maybe I’ll do them all and see if I can troubleshoot coil packs at the same time. I’ve also noticed the cooling fan is running all the time. Possibly slightly noisy, too. Need to keep an eye on whether it’s warming up properly and stuff.

Also pleased to receive a parcel containing paperwork and service history from my dad's partner. My dad thought it hadn't been kept but she's a careful sort. She had it from new, then just me and my dad. Nice to have a car that you know the history of. There are a few stamps in the book, and quite a few bills for later repairs and maintenance.

As mentioned elsewhere (https://autoshite.com/topic/56126-aldi-abs-fault-troubleshooting/#comment-2883826) today I replaced the ABS module with a used replacement from eBay. Pretty chuffed that it seems to have cured the fault, at £36 it was a cheap fix. I followed the technique in the video above which was fiddly but OK. Will keep the original - if the replacement fails I'll send it for reconditioning, Next on the to-do list is investigate the engine management light which is constantly illuminated and which blinks when you "push on". There's a mention of an 02 sensor fault on a recentish bill from my dad's ownership but I'd like to check it on the VCDS. I suspect the MOT may bring up one or two more issues, there's a slight knock when turning right and a few clunks from the front end, there was a mention of ARB bush/pin wear previously, I'll probably farm those out to the mechanic who's putting it in for the MOT.

Yes please! I’ll send a PM. When I just told her Mrs T remarked on what a nice place this forum is. She‘s right.

Nice to see this getting some love!

Right... 2 "ilink" ditchfinders fitted to replace the 2 crumbling and ancient tyres, the newer old tyres rotated to the front. Also had front tracking adjusted, I've been able to feel it pulling to the right slightly, very possibly a result of the recovery operation. Feels much better. Was a good chance to have a look underneath. It's as clean as a whistle, and there's no sign of damage from the misshap. Unfortunately one of the centre trims didn't make it. Gonna try some superglue, they all need a paint too, we'll see...

Well bought, I was incredibly tempted by this but having just acquired another German estate it didn’t quite make sense… glad it’s come closer to me though!

Mine are shattered on the back, too - actually not sure about the front clip you linked to because I’ve avoided disassembly thus far. Saying that it would make sense if that’s what’s causing the headlight to be loose. I can’t work out whether the kit below might be the solution - I’d like to replace the entire mechanism really but this looks a different design. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166340080985?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=aItDB3dDQ9C&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=jw4FDSTTS7W&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Excellent will get them ordered.

Bought some fancy new lightbulbs in an effort to do something about the dreadful headlights. Fitted them and cleaned the contacts while I was at it. The bulbs I removed are possibly original judging from the numbers printed on them but I'm not convinced that there's anything wrong with them. Lenses and reflectors both look pretty clean. What is possibly causing an issue is that the n/s headlight is apparently loose in the mount (although it seems to generally be happy to sit in the right position) and when I touched one of the adjusters it fell apart in my hands. I'm loath to take it apart and investigate further until I source spares though - the other adjuster looks similarly brittle and about to break. . @Snake Charmer? Or I might ask my local volvo guy, he seems to have lots of bits stashed.

Some parcels arrived. Aerial fitted. Made a start at trying to remove the ABS module as per this video - plan is to send it off for reconditioning (£100 via ebay) but I might have a look at secondhand too. Got a month 'til the MOT expires and it can still be driven with the module removed. Unfortunately access to the torx screws is super tight so I've ordered a little 1/4" hex ratchet and will try again when that arrives... might have been easier to remove the wheel and screenwash reservoir after all.

Spent a pleasant couple of hours cleaning out the boot and interior. Or at least the worst of it. Still a few stubborn dog hairs, sticky remnants of god knows what and dubious stains on the seats. Next step will be a wet cloth and maybe I'll buy a can of something for the upholstery. Found a couple of quid under the drivers seat, Ka-ching! It seems my dad eats a lot of sweets and has spent a fortune on parking recently. Fixed* the rear 12v socket (what luxury!) although it doesn't magically pop out like the front one, I think something's missing. It'll do. Also found a switch on the floor which looks a bit like a symbol for a roof mounted infra-red heater / beam-me-up button and noticed where it had come from. Replaced it. Let me know if you know what it actually does. Then I set the clock. It started off in the late nineties, hard to believe this car is 22 years old. Better.

Home! Long drive due to traffic… Have a belated pez shot. Car performed beautifully although the engine light did flash when I pushed it a bit harder.

Why did they fill the ventilation systems of late 90s / early 00s cars with disintegrating foam? And how comes it never runs out?

We were mid way through removing parking tickets that had fallen behind the dash. All clear now. The ABS warning light went out for a good 10 minutes earlier. I’m happy that it’s an intermittent fault. Waiting for another ferry. It leaves in half an hour. I think we are the only vehicle in the queue with a non-idling engine. People are idiots. I can’t decide whether the moss should be removed or encouraged.