My A2 is going to be off the road for a very long time.

Agreed, only needed axel stands, jacks and two 16mm spanners. Springs being collected and brought home by my Mrs. Top mounts exploding with internal rust, bottom mounts yellow dust. Both to be collected from Audi tomorrow. At least the rust treatment and paint will have chance to dry. Re test booked Thursday.
I wanted pressed steel arms but all the sources I looked at were out of stock. Then I thought quality cast arms should last 100k. I’ll never drive this car that much further. Got a good deal; decision made.
Pressed steal are better if you can get them I would suggest.
 
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UV dye now dumped in the engine, my latest attempt to find that oil leak, but car going nowhere until Thursday. I’m beginning to suspect one of the rear central engine cover retaining screws.
 
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Keep going man. I’m thoroughly impressed with your determination and fixing skills. Another couple of little jobs and you’ll have a sorted little motor.

Then you can look at upgrading a few things...




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Pinkythelabrat said:
Keep going man. I’m thoroughly impressed with your determination and fixing skills. Another couple of little jobs and you’ll have a sorted little motor.

Then you can look at upgrading a few things...
Click to expand...

Thank you, I have quite a confidence in dealing with mechanical issues but this little car really has seriously challenged me over recent months. It has almost pushed me too far, I’ll never buy another Audi.
I have another thread, “Will the Audi A2 ever be a classic?” Motivataded by a combination of my difficulties and the disaster facing Simon. We both have descions to make. For me the descion is made, my car owes me £2k of motoring then it will be retired to my old car shed.
 
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Having to postpone the MOT. Had the wrong springs supplied twice and looking like I may have to go to Audi.
I have 3blue 2orange springs that are longer than standard, presumably because I have a factory tow bar?
3blue 2orange must be standard on some VAG vehicle, any ideas?
 
The coloured dots on the springs denote the weight of the vehicle. They do differ depending on whether you have open sky, leather seats etc.
 
Special edition said:
The coloured dots on the springs denote the weight of the vehicle. They do differ depending on whether you have open sky, leather seats etc.
Click to expand...
Thanks Special Edition, I did wonder why my A2 looked a little tipped forwards. My springs are approx 15mm longer than the standard TDi springs I have so far been supplied. The extra length will be to accommodate towing and as I do I'm going to need the longer springs.
Time to call the main dealer..
 
Main dealer opens in 60 seconds; this what I have manged to establish. By comparing my spring, number of coils, OD, length and gauge with data on German websites I have a pair of panoramic sunroof springs. Nice and cheap in Germany but not managed to find one in stock in the UK.
Why do we have to pay so much for parts when they are in stock???
 
Good news... there are other alternative springs that members are happy to fit but I prefer to stick with the correct dots.
 
Got the Audi springs; doddle to fit despite being 15mm longer than standard. Off to the supermarket for a celebratory beer, all along trying to reduce my seat height. No satisfactory adjustment, my A2 is definitely butt up head down. Anyway, and otherwise, feels quite sorted.
There is the oil leak, hopefully the UV dye will be making its way to the leak. Also there’s the knock on take up of drive. However as this is new I assume it is something I have done to the car. Not worried, let’s see if anything develops.
So is my Eco Shopper back on the road? Nope, MOT expires at midnight, retest Monday ☹️
 
I think the opposite stance is pretty common - back lower than front - and I’ve seen it referred to as ‘Pooping Elk’.
Since I’ve never seen such a catchy name for high back I think you can maybe christen the stance.


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Not back in action for long though. I think I have finally traced my oil leak to the engine cover screw that is difficult to access because of the EGR valve. Lost count of the number of times I have refitted that gasket so this time the EGR valve is coming off for a clean at the same time.

Also had horrendous knocking noises yesterday, sounds like an engine mount or drop link. They are all fine so CV joints? Possibly an existing fault made more obvious by the change to cast suspension arms. Deep joy, yet more cost :-(
 
Pinkythelabrat said:
Ooh! Good luck. Hope it’s nothing too serious.


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‘This is a little embarrassing so I will say it very quietly; the knock was a slightly loose and worsening front OS wheel.
In 40 years of DIY motor repairs I have never before made that mistake. I tighten the bolts / nuts and then go round again with a long breaker bar and then fit the trim / nut caps. I usually work alone.
The A2 has required two working on it at times and after the subframe was fitted I asked my mate, did I tighten that wheel? He had seen the first tightening not knowing I go back for a second. Nothing showed on the test drive then with miles it started to work loose.
My fault for working off process but the wheel didn’t come off and I found the issue before ordering CV joints. ?
 
philward said:
‘This is a little embarrassing so I will say it very quietly; the knock was a slightly loose and worsening front OS wheel.
In 40 years of DIY motor repairs I have never before made that mistake. I tighten the bolts / nuts and then go round again with a long breaker bar and then fit the trim / nut caps. I usually work alone.
The A2 has required two working on it at times and after the subframe was fitted I asked my mate, did I tighten that wheel? He had seen the first tightening not knowing I go back for a second. Nothing showed on the test drive then with miles it started to work loose.
My fault for working off process but the wheel didn’t come off and I found the issue before ordering CV joints.
Click to expand...

Once in 40 years is great going! I reckon I’ve done worse in a couple of years!

Well done for spotting it and fixing it. All good now?


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Almost, oil leak bits on their way. Engine cover and EGR valve off next week.
Went on a long motorway run yesterday, seems much more economical. Could be the car is improved or perhaps it’s the proliferation of safety cameras?
Probably a bit of both.
 
Here’s an interesting one; I’ve been out of the A2 for many months driving other cars I own. I can say without reservation the A2 is by far the least engaging to drive. The A2 is a brilliant concept with, apparently, timeless styling and good fuel economy. However get behind the wheel and it’s a bit of a dog turd.
I think I need to find a corner in my old car shed. The difference is this one comes out in winter or when something needs towing.
 
I think I have transferred you to my own thread Pinkythelabrat:

Pinkythelabrat said:
You’ve really had a ‘mare with this buddy. On the bright side... at least you’ve been able to fix it all. If this had been me and a garage I’d have spent thousands doing all the work you’ve done with no real idea of whether it was done well or not.

Hats off to you.

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Click to expand...

This carry on has cost me in excess of a couple of thousand. When it's over, oil leak and front suspension still troublesome, I'll post up the amount of work I've done.
A few more months, and despite being in the dog house right now, the A2 will be our longest continuous service car at 15 years.
 
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