took the A4 in for a checkup; $1300 estimate comes back
08-23-2004, 05:08 PM
#1
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took the A4 in for a checkup; $1300 estimate comes back
So I've had this 98 2.8 A4 a few weeks, it's running great as far as I can tell, but I figure I should have someone check it out just to be on the safe side. So I take it in to this import car place for a free examination. This is what I get back:
2 Valve Cover gaskets leaking; clean and replace
2 gaskets 91.70
labor 240.00
Right Front motor mount broken/leaking
motor mount 84.75
labor 160.00
Hole in Left front CV boot
CV boot 38.95
labor 160.00
belly pan and retainers missing
belly pan 120.00
10 retainers 20.00
labor 40.00
R/F turn signal loose (the one on the side near the door)
Turn signal 62.95
labor 20.00
What do you guys think? Any of this DIY for the average guy? Sounds like the motor mount and CV boot are the most crucial... some of it baffles me though... how does a belly pan just go missing? I think I'm really getting the Audi experience now...
still love it though
2 Valve Cover gaskets leaking; clean and replace
2 gaskets 91.70
labor 240.00
Right Front motor mount broken/leaking
motor mount 84.75
labor 160.00
Hole in Left front CV boot
CV boot 38.95
labor 160.00
belly pan and retainers missing
belly pan 120.00
10 retainers 20.00
labor 40.00
R/F turn signal loose (the one on the side near the door)
Turn signal 62.95
labor 20.00
What do you guys think? Any of this DIY for the average guy? Sounds like the motor mount and CV boot are the most crucial... some of it baffles me though... how does a belly pan just go missing? I think I'm really getting the Audi experience now...
still love it though
08-23-2004, 05:13 PM
#2
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some is DIY
the turn signals you can buy updated clear ones or smoked for around $25-30 on ebay and install them yourself in about 5 minutes.
the belly pan im not sure how hard an install that is labor wise, but i know the retainers dont cost $2 each.
For the rest of that stuff I'm sure judging by the other jobs it may be on the high end so find out if anyone in your area can work on any of those jobs
the belly pan im not sure how hard an install that is labor wise, but i know the retainers dont cost $2 each.
For the rest of that stuff I'm sure judging by the other jobs it may be on the high end so find out if anyone in your area can work on any of those jobs
08-23-2004, 05:17 PM
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Well...here's a breakdown...
Valve cover gaskets - replace 'em if you got money, leave 'em if you don't. Worse case, you leak a little oil, and maybe it smells like burning oil from time to time.
Motor mount - definately replace. If the engine starts to rock around excessively, the problem will cascade.
Hole in CV boot - odds are the damage has been done. If you don't fix a hole right away, dirt will contaminate the joint, and lead to premature failure of the joint. If you find a hole in the boot (and don't definitely know that it was recent), best practice is to replace the entire CV joint. So, for now throw a little duct tape on it, and see how long that carries you. When the CV joint has had it, you'll heat some clicking. Also, see if you can inject some grease (whatever is used for CV joints) into the tear in the boot (DIY) before sealing it up...just in case some grease found it's way out.
Belly pan - junkyards or buy new via mail order. (see/bookmark link below). It's common for this piece to be forgotten by quick chance oil places. Sometimes it will get ripped off by deep snow, etc.
Turn signal housing - take it off and see what the problem is. Replace with a used piece, or consider putting the money towards the 1 piece headlamps used on 99.5+ models.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1960796.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1960796.phtml</a</li></ul>
Motor mount - definately replace. If the engine starts to rock around excessively, the problem will cascade.
Hole in CV boot - odds are the damage has been done. If you don't fix a hole right away, dirt will contaminate the joint, and lead to premature failure of the joint. If you find a hole in the boot (and don't definitely know that it was recent), best practice is to replace the entire CV joint. So, for now throw a little duct tape on it, and see how long that carries you. When the CV joint has had it, you'll heat some clicking. Also, see if you can inject some grease (whatever is used for CV joints) into the tear in the boot (DIY) before sealing it up...just in case some grease found it's way out.
Belly pan - junkyards or buy new via mail order. (see/bookmark link below). It's common for this piece to be forgotten by quick chance oil places. Sometimes it will get ripped off by deep snow, etc.
Turn signal housing - take it off and see what the problem is. Replace with a used piece, or consider putting the money towards the 1 piece headlamps used on 99.5+ models.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1960796.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1960796.phtml</a</li></ul>
08-23-2004, 05:22 PM
#5
AudiWorld Super User
DIY all but the CV boot ,with pan off mount is already easier to get to...
you can get a pan from wrecking yard,(it does aid cooling)STFA on that.You can get enough help from AW to learn to do the lamp and gaskets on your own.
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08-23-2004, 05:49 PM
#8
if you're mechanically inclined...all of that is DIY. cheap.
the hardest and most important to ahve done are the CV boot and engine mount. the other stuff you can do later and/or easily yourself.
08-23-2004, 06:04 PM
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Thanks for the advice.. probably let em do the mount and CV
But I could handle the rest. The signal light actually still works, it just is loose in its mount. Just picked up the service manual and am reading up on that stuff now...