Paws4Thot

Could that be "Ambiante"?

An earth cable is something that a DIYer or a local garage can make. The critical points to know are the points it connects between and the routing.

Inverness isn't that much closer to you than Maud, and I'd also recommend Victoria Garage over Hawco.

Hadn't heard the "weather doesn't warrant it" line before, but yes SUK have fairly recently extended the cambelt interval to 145_000 miles.

@Whitie , I've seen a slammed (and murdered out, but that's not important) Audi A6 Allroad. You'd have to undo the slam in order to sell the car to most people.

It may help if you say which body and trim level the car is.

Unless you were explicitly informed of an oil consumption issue with this car then by my reading of the OP, the Sale of Goods Acts will apply, and the vendor must repair the fault or reimburse you in full. Don't take my word for it, talk to your local Citizens' Advice.

Which I have never heard being used before this thread. Scuttle I understand, but not why it would be earthed. The heater box would be earthed though.

There is your problem; the "water box" is not a recognised vehicle term in any of UK, US or Australian English. It could possibly refer to the radiator header tank, but that wouldn't be earthed.

Likewise, which is probably why a slushbox, PDK or CVT doesn't appeal any more than a Scalextric car.

My concern is over the very existence of those joints, not the quality of the work under the tape.

Also @Felicia98noob - Well, me for one, particularly with the look of those 2 joints that appear to be covered in insulating tape.

No they don't; The battery light doesn't come on. So before doing anything else, check the alternator control wires.

When was the radiator last reverse flushed? I have a feeling the answer may be "never".

When was the air cleaner element last changed?

Many petrol stations also keep 25 or 50l calibrated fuel cans for self-testing their pumps between visits by Trading Standards and/or engineers (Eg Gilbarco ).

That likely means tools, hours of work, and new gaskets. A coolant sniff test will give you the same answers about the condition of the gasket faster, cheaper and with less work. There are several other people think there is an issue with your radio wiring too. Since no-one else has suggested this, I'm going to suggest downloading manuals and wiring diagrams from Erwin. Cost about 7 Euro and an hour of your time.

Also @Felicia98noob Speaking of, what is the water pump impellor made from? VAG plastic impellors typically have a life of 1 to 1.5 times the cambelt change interval.

More to the point, what transmission? The driveshafts connect the transmission outputs to the wheel hubs, and not the engine!

Er, that's what it's for.

If you can post a shot of the instruments, ignition on (no need to run the engine) we'll get a better idea what you're dealing with. As things stand both @Breezy_Pete and I have just made general statements.

@Heisnam As @Berisford says, although what @Warrior193 suggests does make sense. In this case most people would notice and ascribe the incorrect gear selection to driver error though.

@Uorren As @Breezy_Pete illustrates, the callipers with the 256mm discs literally have the text "FS-III" cast into the outer faces. I think the callipers with the 288mm discs will have "DS-3" cast into them. This was readily legible through the spokes on some wheel designs.

The service reminder on these cars is on a mileage/time, whichever comes first basis.

You mean the LCD screen? Given that it's 20 years old it could well need replacing.