Hello from Dublin

carlosfandango

carlosfandango

New Member
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Hello and thanks for letting me join. Just picked up this 2003 1.4 Petrol and I’m very happy with it.
I’ve been hoping this would come my way for a very long time and finally earlier this week it did.
Has been lying up for well over a year and is suffering from emissions problems which I’d like some advice on. Cat? lambda? Common problem?
It’s got a few scrapes but overall in very good condition and has only 45k miles.
Drives exceptionally well, apart from needing a little heavier throttle when pulling away in first (guessing related to emissions issue) but it’s solid, pulls well etc.
Slight wobble on braking so new discs on the shopping list.
Had a mouldy interior but sorted all that now (with astonish mould spray) and gave her a deep clean.
Passenger door strap was broken but addressed that and the non functioning window on the same door.
I’d love to get a set of roof bars for the car but was wondering about the sky roof and clearance?
It’s not my only car but about to become a daily driver with the current price of fuel - all my other stuff is a bit saucey on petrol and diesel.

I’m looking forward to reading the threads and hopefully contributing to the forum.

CFD
 
carlosfandango said:
View attachment 96027

Hello and thanks for letting me join. Just picked up this 2003 1.4 Petrol and I’m very happy with it.
I’ve been hoping this would come my way for a very long time and finally earlier this week it did.
Has been lying up for well over a year and is suffering from emissions problems which I’d like some advice on. Cat? lambda? Common problem?
It’s got a few scrapes but overall in very good condition and has only 45k miles.
Drives exceptionally well, apart from needing a little heavier throttle when pulling away in first (guessing related to emissions issue) but it’s solid, pulls well etc.
Slight wobble on braking so new discs on the shopping list.
Had a mouldy interior but sorted all that now (with astonish mould spray) and gave her a deep clean.
Passenger door strap was broken but addressed that and the non functioning window on the same door.
I’d love to get a set of roof bars for the car but was wondering about the sky roof and clearance?
It’s not my only car but about to become a daily driver with the current price of fuel - all my other stuff is a bit saucey on petrol and diesel.

I’m looking forward to reading the threads and hopefully contributing to the forum.

CFD
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Welcome to the best car forum. You will have access to the best possible advice on your A2.
If your car's been laid up for a year, I'd suggest that an oil and filter change, a dose of Cataclean and a good blast using the full rev range might well sort the emission issues.
Enjoy your A2.
 
Jeff Sutcliffe said:
Welcome to the best car forum. You will have access to the best possible advice on your A2.
If your car's been laid up for a year, I'd suggest that an oil and filter change, a dose of Cataclean and a good blast using the full rev range might well sort the emission issues.
Enjoy your A2.
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Thanks Jeff, good advice there.
I believe it was laid up because it failed it’s NCT (MOT) on emissions but I’m surprised because of the low mileage. I’ll do a service and decent drive and see wha the results are. I’ll let you know!
Thanks again.

CFD
 
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Welcome, as has been said you will find most problems have been asked and have suggested fixes or actual fixes, sometimes it’s better to use Google to search the A2OC though

Love the original A2 lightweight alloys


Sent from the future
 
carlosfandango said:
Thanks Jeff, food advice there.
I believe it was laid up because it failed it’s NCT (MOT) on emissions but I’m surprised because of the low mileage. I’ll do a service and decent drive and see wha the results are. I’ll let you know!
Thanks again.

CFD
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It's likely that the low mileage and subsequent emissions fail came about because your A2 was only used for pottering around at town speeds. A bit of spirited driving might well sort it out.
 
Nice looking vehicle - I run 2 A2's here in France and have had a set of roof bars since 2003 sourced with a good discount from Beechwood Audi in the Midlands at the time !! From memory I think they were not suitable for OSS cars as I had one at the time and had to use on the non OSS car. I will try to get the Audi information out that came with them and update you.
 
JWT said:
Nice looking vehicle - I run 2 A2's here in France and have had a set of roof bars since 2003 sourced with a good discount from Beechwood Audi in the Midlands at the time !! From memory I think they were not suitable for OSS cars as I had one at the time and had to use on the non OSS car. I will try to get the Audi information out that came with them and update you.
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Audi roof bars car be used with OSS (though not with it open!!!) however I must be honest, I’ve never been brave enough to try it!!!
 
Jeff Sutcliffe said:
It's likely that the low mileage and subsequent emissions fail came about because your A2 was only used for pottering around at town speeds. A bit of spirited driving might well sort it out.
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Run it on Super Unleaded, Shell V-Power if possible, the combination of detergents, and absence of/low level of alcohol (E5, nor E10). It needs to flush out accumulated build up.
Seriously consider getting it scanned, or, even better, get yourself a free copy of VCDS Lite. You'll then know where the emmissions problem is.
Mac.
 
Yes that's the book - I still have those sticky pads on the car and can't get them off - they look terrible now as the sun has caused them to flake
 
JWT said:
Yes that's the book - I still have those sticky pads on the car and can't get them off - they look terrible now as the sun has caused them to flake
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I still have a new set of sticky pads


Sent from the future
 
Wow guys! What a great bunch of replies and suggestions. Thanks so much. I can tell that this forum is going to be a great resource.
I wasn’t aware that the alloys on my car were lightweight ones? But thanks for the info.
I’m presuming that an OSS car is one with the glass roof? Love mine, but have noticed that’s it sometimes is reluctant to get to the ‘second’ stage of opening. Further investigation is needed there and lots of lubrication.
Thanks for the suggestion also on the diagnostic software download. I’ll definitely do that - hopefully getting it plugged into a dealer diagnostics during the week through someone I know but I’ll be doing the service and cataclean regardless.
I’m loving the car and can see it as a ‘long termer’ as it’s armadillo characteristics really appeal to me and the amazing story behind these models is wonderful.
I’m doing a list of things to sort and will update as I go (I do like a picture of a repair and I’m guessing you do too!).
Other cars in my stable are - ‘94 Mercedes W124 saloon, ‘01 P38 Range Rover, ‘76 2 dr RRC, ‘73 series 3 Land Rover, ‘79 flat tracker build T140 Bonneville, ‘69 Fiat 124 spider and a ‘05 T5 campervan that I’ve just sold as it seems like the right time!

I’m sitting down now to watch retro power’s latest episode on YouTube with a glass of wine and then further googling on the A2.

CFD
 
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Sadly the oss is very troublesome it seems. There are parts that have been improved and remanufactured by owners on here that solve the issues your experiencing. Also there are one or two specialists in removing and refitting them, giving you factory fresh oss. Don't forget a2oc on the end of your search string. Good luck. And nice garage!
 
ds20prefecture said:
Hi @carlosfandango I'm in Killiney if you want to chat. I've a 01 1.4 with about 4 times your mileage so at least you know they can be reliable :)

I'm in envy of your sunroof but from all i've read they're fragile enough so maybe better off without.
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Howya! I’m the same Carlosfandango from boards / backroads etc so I think we’ve met? Either way, thank you for your hospitality 👍🏻
Yes, the sunroof is magnificent but time will tell if it’s going to be more of a liability.
Haven’t had time to look at the car since before the weekend but looking forward to getting stuck in and getting her properly roadworthy. I’m hatching a plan for a European road trip at the end of the summer and was considering the wee A2 as the car for the journey.

CFD
 
carlosfandango said:
Howya! I’m the same Carlosfandango from boards / backroads etc so I think we’ve met? Either way, thank you for your hospitality 👍🏻
Yes, the sunroof is magnificent but time will tell if it’s going to be more of a liability.
Haven’t had time to look at the car since before the weekend but looking forward to getting stuck in and getting her properly roadworthy. I’m hatching a plan for a European road trip at the end of the summer and was considering the wee A2 as the car for the journey.

CFD
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Can't imagine a better car from your stable for long distances. The Merc would be lovely too and made for it, but the fuel bill would suck the enjoyment out of it.

My sister (A2's near-future owner) is currently swanning around Connemara, then off to Kerry, Donegal, Longford and hopefully back to Dublin over the next 2 or 3 weeks.
 
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