DolphinA4'02

Hey guys, i just got an estimate back from the stealership and was wondering what you guys think i should get done or not...

I had it towed in b/c it was overheating because of a faulty water pump and one of my windows was stuck down. I thought these would be a simple, relatively cheap fix (under 1k), but here is what they came back with for what i "needed" to have done now:

<i>
Vehicle overheating water pump not working recommend water pump and t-belt replacement $1800 (water pump,tbelt,thermostat,tensioner,roller,drive belt
Window regulator broken psgr front $465 (window regulator)
Oil leak from valve cover gaskets $625 several oil leaks present valve covers need to be addressed first
Upper control arm bushings torn $830(suspension control arm bushings X4)
Power Steering rack leaking $1750 (power steering rack fluid alignment required)
Motor Mounts leaking $685 (driver side psgr side motor mount)
</i>

All i want is just want to get it running so that i can have someone else fix these 'leaks', sell it, or try and drive it till it dies or something. I just am unsure of what to do. I can't spend that much on this car...

It is a 2002 A4 quattro with 75,000 miles

Please let me know what you think i should do! I don't have $6200.00 to spend on a car that is worth 8K!!

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PDX04a4

holy crap stealership, so in order this is what i would do to get it running:

tbelt/water pump. obviously the car wont be drivable and its an extreme risk to even try with a bad water pump and tbelt. must be done first. 1800 is absolutely ridiculous, a local indy here in portland quoted me about 900 for the job. DIY, you could do it yourself, but its pretty tough especially if you have never done engine work.

valve cover gaskets, wow they are absolutely ripping you off. this was the first diy i ever did, cost me 35 bucks for the gasket (i have a 1.8t), took me about 1 hour to do the job. search audizine for the DIY, its very straight forward and simple to do. dont pay 600 for that, what a joke. and its not the first thing that needs to be done, i drove with a leaky gasket for who knows long, probably over a couple thousand miles.

window regulator is also a DIY, not that expensive either. for now just get your window up. again search audizine or the tech articles for window regulator diy, plenty of resources there.

the bushings, you can diy if you want. thats a lot of money and i would atleast attempt a diy. save hundreds of dollars, not critical to driving, but you want to get fixed.

motor mounts, same as bushings. dont have much info on those though, sorry.

the big one, the steering rack is going to be expensive no matter where you go. its NOT a diy, so i would try and find an indy to do, i was quoted 1300 for mine. since im poor and cant afford it, im just monitoring my power steering reservoir and filling it up when it gets low. i might eventually try a power steering flush and fill with this fluid that is supposed to block power steering leaks, i cant remember the name, but you can search for it. its much cheaper than replacing the whole rack if it works. you absolutely need to watch the fluid level though, if it gets too low you could burn out your power steering pump which will add quite a bit to the bill.

Dubliner

Second the comments on the power steering. My stealership noted a leak also and suggested a $2G fix. I bought power steering fluid from their service dept. for $20 and will top up as needed. Has not been a problem.

Dubliner