Audi A2

[inconsistant]

2 hours ago, SiC said:

Btw these early FSI lumps much prefer Super Unleaded and really don't like 95 octane. 

I’d read this, so filled it with superplus unleaded or whatever the premium is called, apparently they run better and more economical with it than the normal stuff. Good to have it confirmed, thanks!

[inconsistant]

1 hour ago, Sigmund Fraud said:

EML was due to an EGR flow code when I owned the car, hence the EGR pipe replacement (done during Alan Prost's tenure). A VCDS scan will help you work out if it's still the same code (in which case the valve itself may be to blame), or whether there's another issue. The good news is that the car's age means a lit EML will not be an MoT failure anyway

Good to know, thanks. I believe life with the fsi sounds like needing to get used to seeing the EML on. Sounds like EGR issues are pretty standard. Just good to know what’s causing it. 

1 hour ago, Sigmund Fraud said:

Oh, and get yourself on the A2OC forum. There is loads of know-how on there, and it's also the best place to source A2-specific parts at reasonable prices.

On there already! What a great place! The 924OC is friendly and supportive but the A2OC is something else!  So much useful stuff and knowledgable people on there!

[RoverFolkUs]

Re EGR flow: 

Check the port nearest to the throttle body, they get coked up. 

It's also worth checking if the flow flap is operating correctly, the teeth could strip out and that's especially likely on a ~20 year old engine. You won't get a code for the actuator itself because the ECU thinks it's still working as it's moving, but it may not actually be actuating anything. Hope that makes sense!

Worth checking. Don't just chuck another EGR at it before checking everything else unless you have a good idea it's borked or can see it's physically blocked etc. 

1st March 2003 onwards for EML to fail MOT so as mentioned above, you're lucky there. 

Remember, for as long as the ABS light is illuminated, it's disabled and you don't have any ABS!

Ride height, I bet there were a couple of options for springs and shocks (did these have a sports* suspension option?) And unfortunately the wrong ones may have been fitted. It doesn't really matter, and the difference is rarely more than 40mm or so. But that might be your answer

[Fabergé Greggs]

I’m really starting to hanker for one of these- can anyone give me an indication of what they’re like for interior space compared to something like a Mk1 Focus? 

[inconsistant]

2 hours ago, Fabergé Greggs said:

 interior space compared to something like a Mk1 Focus? 

About the same size but feels tall rather than long. Rear legroom similar. Boot shorter but deeper. Narrower, would struggle to get 3 adults in the back comfortably. Some A2s like ours have 2 rear seats &  belts, some have 3 seats/belts but don’t think the rear seat split folds on the 5 seaters

You’re welcome to check ours out if a trip to CR6 is convenient. 

[Sigmund Fraud]

14 hours ago, RoverFolkUs said:

Ride height, I bet there were a couple of options for springs and shocks (did these have a sports* suspension option?) And unfortunately the wrong ones may have been fitted. It doesn't really matter, and the difference is rarely more than 40mm or so. But that might be your answer

There were two suspension options (standard and sport), and then different springs depending on the engine fitted and the presence of the optional panoramic roof.

The springs fitted to inconsistant's car are the correct type ; I know, because I had checked the parts catalogue before buying them. They are, however, cheap aftermarket parts rather than genuine Audi. There are threads on the A2OC which suggest many aftermarket spring manufacturers take a "that will do" approach rather than exactly match the original specifications ; this could explain why the ride height may seem a bit on the high side.

[RoverFolkUs]

31 minutes ago, Sigmund Fraud said:

There were two suspension options (standard and sport), and then different springs depending on the engine fitted and the presence of the optional panoramic roof.

The springs fitted to inconsistant's car are the correct type ; I know, because I had checked the parts catalogue before buying them. They are, however, cheap aftermarket parts rather than genuine Audi. There are threads on the A2OC which suggest many aftermarket spring manufacturers take a "that will do" approach rather than exactly match the original specifications ; this could explain why the ride height may seem a bit on the high side.

I suspected there might have been a couple of options so that explains it. The aftermarket have possibly confused the factory specifications between each part numbers so the "correct" ones are manufactured longer. As I say, not really an issue as the measurable difference is rarely more than an inch or two, it's just a possible explanation for it

Have had it on modern peugeots where there are two types of shock absorber for no apparent reason other than one being a 45mm knuckle and the other 50mm 🤷 

[inconsistant]

A bit of progress with the A2...

I had a go at soldering in a bit of temporarily ABS wiring in the drivers wheel arch to see if it was the chaffed wiring that was the problem.

ABS light still on. Our ever helpful neighbour has a fault code reader so he plugged it in to have a look at what was up. Lots of codes showing so reset and had a look at what came back. Code for mechanical failure of the drivers side ABS Sensor showing so that will need replacing to hopefully put that light out and get it MOTed. Other fault codes related to the EGR stuff so not sure whether the EML is on because of the Oil Level Sensor or whether it's something EGR related.

I had a go at the paint on the spoiler. Rather than doing what you're supposed to and check the results of the paint stripper on a tiny bit that is out of sight I merrily slathered the stuff all over, waited, repeated, waited and hosed off.

I mean, I couldn’t make it look any worse could I?

Oh, yes it appears I could.

Going to leave it as it is for the moment while I either work out a plan for refinishing the spoiler or I find a cheap replacement tailgate the same colour to maybe do a swap (the spoiler is bonded onto the tailgate).

Someone on the A2oc site noticed from one of my pics I had the wrong jack.

Correct jack now bought, the old Lupo/Polo/Arouser one available for cost of postage if anyone wants it. 

Managed to empty my first tank of fuel, and according to my calculations it’s managed 33mpg, which has been mostly local driving and a couple of train strike day commutes into London, including my first visit to the multi story car park in Penge. What a place. Very relieved to be in a small manouverable car!

Last week it went to the mechanic for new ABS and oil level sensor, and a general check over. He cleaned out the EGR flaps and pipes and stuff I don't understand. Came back with no warning lights on and he'd even put it through its MOT which was due next week, so it's got a fresh MOT! Hurrah!

I can now spend some time and effort fixing some of the other low level niggles. Looks like it’s a keeper and will remain in the fleet for the time being, so I thought I'd introduce it to the 924, both cars were built in the same ex-NSU Neckarsulm factory 21 years apart!