Today, tried to remove the climate control module to see what has failed inside. I know its a fan within the unit, but need to identify if it's important or not, got all the connectors off except the heated seat switch connectors. For some reason these don't want to budge, I now know where in the unit the fan is but need to know if its important and something I can fix.

Whilst the centre console was in bits, I removed the rest of the old Nokia kit from the car that I can get to. All thats left of that now is the RF aerial which is hidden in the transmission tunnel from where the wire goes, the rest is now all removed (Microphone, Speaker, all the wiring).

Have you fixed the oil leak yet? has it got any worse?

The oil leak has not got any worse, in fact i'd go as far to say its stopped. I have not added any extra oil for quiet sometime now and the oil level seems to be remaining at max. However that may just be because most of its been in there a year now, and after the next oil change I have no idea if its going to start leaking again.

The only real headache at the moment is the Check Engine light, it spends more time on than off. I reset it last weekend with VCDS, drove the car about 13 miles this week (30 miles in the last 3 weeks) and its back on again. The fault code is Cat below efficiency threshold, however this has been the case for a while now. The light is however coming on more often, so the cats are now obviously less efficient than 12 months ago. I hope however that as long as the light stays off for the MOT, they will still be well within the MOT tolerances, just as last year. I think the combination of short trips with the engine temp barely reaching 90 if at all is not helping.

buy some cataclean and stick it on the tank. works great that stuff

Really nice cruiser u got there, Manny!

As u know i nearly bought one, then got persuaded to go for S8,

afterwards decided it was too much to maintain and finally got a Superb instead!

Looks like u had quite a bit of fun with it too - and u taken it overseas!

Did Audi loaded it with a solar sunroof too?

U enjoy her!

Out of interest, which car has the most leg room?

And which the better cruiser (A8 or Superb)?

PS: Worth converting to LPG (as was my original plan)?

No solar sunroof, but it is the rare optional full glass one rather than the standard steel or more common solar roof.

The Superb has more rear legroom, however the A8 makes a better cruiser. Rear seat passengers say that although less legroom the seats a way more comfortable for long periods. Front seats are really comfortable and the double glazing makes it very quiet, less than 2K RPM at 75mph.

She's going overseas again in June, more than 3.5K miles will be covered over a period of 3 weeks.

I always see the Superb like a Tardis.

It dosent look that big on the outside, certainly looks narrow.

Amazing how its got masses of leg room and a deep boot.

But i do find the seats a bit narrow.

The A8 on the outside is HUGE!

So i guess it has masses of wide deep seats of comfort?

How about starting a new thread for the trip overseas with pics so we can follow u abt (or at least start it whn u return)?

I do an annual thread each year with the car and its travels.

Here is the 2012 one which the Audi completed.

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/239835-mannys-run-to-the-sun-2012/

Audi has now past 183,000 miles and in the last couple of weeks has had a full service, including fuel filter, air filter and a new set of spark plugs. The service was completed by a local VAG specialist who I can thoroughly recommend, great customer service just like it should be.

The service highlighted a number of issues that required attention before the MOT in April, including both track rod ends, CV boot and the exhaust sleeves which connect the front and back parts together. Last week they were all sorted except the exhaust sleeves, so the car should be ready to roll for its MOT.

Following all the above the car feels like a different beast, better power, better steering feel and less knocking from the front.

MOT is being done on the Audi tomorrow (19th) along with having the final outstanding piece of work from the service completed. Hopefully it will pass, the CEL may or may not be on depending on if its a good day or not, but the CEL is not a failure currently according to a current MOT tester.

Good luck on the MOT, mate!

And the verdict is...... PASSED.

But I have a nice list of advisories, that will require attention in the future.

-----------

Offside Steering Rack Gator deteriorated.

Offside Front anti rollbar linkage, rubber mounting deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement.

Power steering pipe slightly corroded

Nearside rear lower suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement

Offside rear lower suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement.

--------

There are two more with regards to the exhaust, but these have already been dealt with, because the car was MOT'd before the exhaust sleeves were replaced.

So she has another 12 months of MOT, and some more expense at some point to fix the above items.

------------

The emissions were perfect, and given the mileage amazingly good, despite me having below efficient cats according the ECU.

Fast Idle

CO = 0.01% Vol, Limit = 0.2% vol

HC = 8 PPM, Limit = 200 PPM

Lambda = 1.009, Limit = 0.97 to 1.03

Natural Idle

CO = 0.01% vol, Limit = 0.3% vol

Trivial items to sort thn :-)

Another 12month happy trouble-free motoring!

Well done and enjoy!

And thats the insurance renewed for another year, £199 for fully comp with business use included, not bad for a 3.7 260BHP V8. The joys of living in a low risk crime area.

Bloody ell - thats almost cheaper thn my classic insurance!!!

Well done, mate!

Time for another update.

 

The Audi made a successful and uneventful journey to the Costa Del Sol and back at the end of June, and the mileage continues to be racked up.

 

Now on just short of 191,000 miles, I've owned the A8 for almost 2 years.

 

But

 

Subject to an inspection on another car, the A8 will be going up for sale early in the new year.

 

Because

 

I should be picking up another A8 on Saturday, all things being well. When I hopefully collect the car, watch out for the A8 thread part deux. Replacement is 3 years newer, so D3 shape with 128K miles,  3.7 V8 Petrol engine but this time with 280BHP and lots of toys. The replacement has one minor issue, which should hopefully be cheap to fix.

Wow!

Another A8?

Why not a Superb?

Or an S8?

All the best and keep us posted!

Glad to hear that this ones done you well and you are sticking with the A8. D3 is where Id be aiming for, very nice, hope it works out for you.

I have now the new A8, so this one will be popping up for sale in the new year. it will be going a lot cheaper than most, it has a lot of miles and the bodywork is not in the best condition and will need some TLC, will be priced as such. Keep an eye out in the new year.

 

MOT is until May 2014, currently declared SORN.

Good work. Remember to update that signature

I've just moved this thread from the Freedom members cars to General car chat to get some exposure, the reason will be popping up shortly.

I've just moved this thread from the Freedom members cars to General car chat to get some exposure, the reason will be popping up shortly.

 

??? [drums fingers]  :think:

 

Gaz

Lovely, wellied my mate's years ago, my son swears it changed from second to third at 80, I was too busy watching the road - just left the gears to the wonderful tiptronic!!!!

??? [drums fingers] :think:

Gaz

For sale section?

For sale section?

 Doh! 

 

Cheers Matt.

 

Gaz

I moved it here, since the car is now for sale. The thread was previously located in the Freedom members area, so had a limited audience.