So long 😞 Forum LCBL Star '05 Audi A8 D3 3.0TDi

[Split_Pin]

Fixed.

An absolute cuntae a job, but I knew it would be. The 2 18s holding the carrier on at the back are both massively tight and inaccessible.  Linking an 18 and a 19 ring end together worked eventually. The parking brake had at least 25ml of brake fluid inside it!

The parking brake had a shitfit when I tried to wind in the calipers back in, the brake got stuck on and the car then said no to the scanner but turning everything off and on again sorted it.

Thankfully front calipers are quite reasonably priced given their size because they are very common across VAG. They're single piston as well. Should I ever need one.....

[Schaefft]

It's great to see the A8 continuing to improve, very satisfying to watch!

[sierraman]

Probably teaching you to suck eggs here but for the love of god use an axle stand. It’s only got to fall off once…

[SiC]

On a OEM scissor jack too 🫣

[Split_Pin]

35 minutes ago, SiC said:

On a OEM scissor jack too 🫣

It's designed for the A8 though and fits perfectly into the jacking point. 

I didn't use an axle stand as I'm not going under the car, but will do for next time 👍

[DirtyDaily]

I had an OEM jack from a Jaguar fail on me. Thankfully I wasn't underneath it and the wheel was still on

[goosey]

the jacking point failed and this one got spat out from under the car, I was only using it to put the spare wheel on as I had a flat tyre 

[Split_Pin]

Aye point taken.

[mk2_craig]

Well done for continued perseverance! Does it have much else still needing dealt with? 

[Split_Pin]

1 hour ago, mk2_craig said:

Well done for continued perseverance! Does it have much else still needing dealt with? 

Not at the moment but no doubt there will be something around the corner.

Sensible me days now is the time to sell it but it is still an amazing way to travel!

[Schaefft]

11 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Sensible me days now is the time to sell it but it is still an amazing way to travel!

Can you wait ~2 months before you make a decision on that?

[TrabbieRonnie]

11 hours ago, Split_Pin said:

Not at the moment but no doubt there will be something around the corner.

Sensible me days now is the time to sell it but it is still an amazing way to travel!

As others have said, well done with it SP.  They are complicated (and aging) beasts, but I agree about the travel experience! 

Once I've finally welded up the Mazda, I'll be tackling the A8's cambelt/water pump...  Not a job I'm really looking forward to, but I can't imagine not wafting around anymore!  

I think they're fundamentally a really strong and well-built car, the petrol V8 I've got actually seems quite old-fashioned as engines go, and not too overwhelming to work on.  The only real trouble I've had with it has been down to the way all the body, transmission, suspension and braking systems are threaded into and through each other.  They just don't work very well if one link in the chain is broken.

However, as you know, when working there's not really much to match them... and nothing at all for the same money!

My lads make up 2/3rds of a rock band now, so the huge boot for gear, and cabin space for lanky young musicians has been a godsend.  If they'd made an estate version it would have been a more luxurious Volvo, as it is it really is incredible what you can fit in.

Yours will be in a good state for the next person if/when, and they really are worth keeping going.  Yours is even economical fuel-wise!  I have tried to talk my good lady into having 'his and hers', but she won't now give up the old 80 which I can't really argue with!

[Split_Pin]

28 minutes ago, TrabbieRonnie said:

estate version

I can't mentally unsee that now, how awesome would that have been!

[Split_Pin]

1 hour ago, Schaefft said:

Can you wait ~2 months before you make a decision on that?

It's fine it'll probably break again on Friday and won't be going anywhere until next payday 😂

[Schaefft]

12 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I can't mentally unsee that now, how awesome would that have been!

It existed in official concept form, the 2001 Audi Avantissimo, which was bigger and more luxurious than the much later C6 A6:

[TrabbieRonnie]

10 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I can't mentally unsee that now, how awesome would that have been!

The concept car was an estate (Avant!) as well!  Even the centre console was just about there...

[TrabbieRonnie]

Too late!

 

[Split_Pin]

Mercy me!!

[SiC]

On 22/07/2024 at 22:47, Split_Pin said:

It's designed for the A8 though and fits perfectly into the jacking point. 

I didn't use an axle stand as I'm not going under the car, but will do for next time 👍

As above, they're for emergency use and replacing a wheel doesn't involve having ligaments under the car. The contact patch on the bottom of them is tiny too.

I always jack up, drop onto axle stands and leave the jack slightly below to catch. If wheels are off then wheel under the sill. That way you've got 3 independent points of failsafe - axle stands, jack and wheel. 

Seriously dude, I say this as we all don't want you put out of work and/or seriously hurt just because you didn't do a few basic precautions. 

[yes oui si]

Last thing any of us want is a squished shiter. 

[Split_Pin]

Well fuck.

I was speeding up to join the motorway but the car would barely accelerate. 

I got a flashing glow plug light and my code reader gave these 2 codes for the turbo actuator as I expected. 

The car otherwise runs smoothly and there's no smoke.

Hmm

 

[wuvvum]

Bugger.  Sounds like the front bumper is going to have to come off again.

[Schaefft]

Maybe just a hose that popped off then?

[Bren]

9 minutes ago, Schaefft said:

Maybe just a hose that popped off then?

Or split? It's nearly twenty years old.

[DirtyDaily]

I'm on team check for physical breaks. Hoses, intercooler etc.
Though I'd of thought if it was a bad break it'd run like complete shit.
Next maybe egr.
Then perhaps the turbo actuator. Believe it's an electric unit on the asb engines, not sure how you go about testing them.

[Split_Pin]

I would definitely have heard if a hose had popped off I think.

The actuator on these needs calibrated with a special tool, VCDS won't do it unfortunately. Most just buy a whole new turbo.

[SiC]

Are the turbos up top on these?

A quick Google suggests there are actuators available as aftermarket on some 3.0TDI turbos.

[Split_Pin]

5 minutes ago, SiC said:

Are the turbos up top on these?

A quick Google suggests there are actuators available as aftermarket on some 3.0TDI turbos.

I think it's down under the coolant reservoir.  You can get an actuator but even VCDS can't calibrate it, you need some kind of special tool. I know that, apart from an Audi specialist near me whose labour rate is £110 per hour, nobody around my way will touch it.

[Spiny Norman]

38 minutes ago, Split_Pin said:

I would definitely have heard if a hose had popped off I think.

 

I heard nothing when my Saab 9-5 did exactly the same thing. Must be worth eliminating what might be fixed with a £2.99  Jubilee clip before condemning the turbo?

[DirtyDaily]

Turbo is right at the back of the engine. Access is quite good if it's anything like my A6.