₦airaland Forum

So today I passed by the workshop- the had already mounted the radiator and AC condenser unit. Unfortunately they had to reuse the old condenser unit because of a mismatch at both inlets (or is it inlet and outlet??) of the condenser.

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/Uyo-20130807-00423_zpsd3027be3.jpg


Old/Original condenser inlet looked like this (notice the groove inside the hole); The AC hose/Pipe was designed in such a way that it would only create an airtight connection within the grroved inlet

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/IMG-20130807-00425_zps67008f2c.jpg

The new condenser inlet looks like this-smooth and without a groove

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/Uyo-20130807-00422_zpsda736a4b.jpg


The only solution would have been to get AC hoses that would match the new condenser, but after the stress of getting just the radiator hoses, I hate to think of what sourcing for AC hoses/pipes would be like.
Will have to trade in the condenser for some other part.

Good thing is that I'm done with Engine issues. Next is the transmission fluid/filter change and the petrol pump change...

...And then the pimping would start...

the legend: What if i help you source the parts in Ladipo market (lagos)?

Hmmm... depends on the quality of the parts.
Sofar, going by my enquiries in the leading spare parts market in Nigeria (Ladipo-Lagos, Obosi-Onitsha and Alaoji-Aba), most of the Audi parts that you'd come across would be second hand and while I could buy a second hand radiator, or maybe AC compressor, or even a 2nd hand complete engine, It won't make sense to buy second hand rollers.

If you have a dealer who has the brand new original parts, then thats cool with me...

Thanks Bro.

[quote author=Somorin#1]One quick question, the timing marks in white (the newer looking ones) on the camshafts, were those made by your Engineer or were those there before?[/quote]Made by the engineer as far as I can tell. I wasn't at the workshop when timing belt housing was removed so I can't say for sure whether those marks were there before.

[quote author=Somorin#1]I can feel your frustration about not having access to parts.

Why couldn't you just halt until Sienna can ship them to you?[/quote]My car is in a company workshop that would normally not work on private cars-and they want to expedite the work so they can get back to working on company cars.
I would thus have to use DHL in shipping the rollers and hoses down-and that would cost like 60k or thereabouts from the UK.
I mistakenly thought that the 'timing belt kit' would have all the rollers I need-otherwise I would have ordered the rollers separately the last time.
And as regards the hoses, We could never have predicted that we would need the hose replacements until the original radiator arrived and we could compare the outlets.

The old rollers are still good and smooth running though. Even my Engineer said so, just that he would have loved to change everything to new...

And I do have a budget to stick to....

New serpentine belt (aka fan belt) fixed.
Still stuck with using the old rollers... :-(

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/Uyo-20130803-00395_zps10191dad.jpg

After a futile search for the brand new rollers, I had no choice but break a rule... I am recycling the old rollers and using just the two brand new rollers (one on the water pump itself) and the brand new tensioner that came with the timing belt kit.
Feel a bit bad, but it would have been too cost prohibitive to order just 2 rollers (which are quite heavy) and have them DHLed down-I have a budget to stick to...
I was assured by my Engineer that the old rollers were still good enough and had no obvious issues.

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/IMG-20130731-00392_zpsabe795e8.jpg

The old rollers are highlighted with red circles while the new ones are highlighted with squares.

It can really be frustrating sometimes to work in an environment where original spare parts are either non-existent or available only as cheap fakes. Even for the Japanese cars, a lot of the 'new' parts available are also cheap chinese fakes...

A luta continua

An afternoon at the breakers' aka 'ndi mgbuka' (in Igbo)

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/Uyo-20130731-00389_zps5debd1f3.jpg

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/IMG-20130731-00388_zps5edfd078.jpg

Donor vehicle;

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/Uyo-20130731-00391_zpsa20c9088.jpg

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/Uyo-20130731-00390_zpsbe3c38a5.jpg

Back to the workshop

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/IMG-20130731-00393_zpsa1923200.jpg

Its a match yay

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/Uyo-20130731-00394_zps91857eb6.jpg

Burger01: t-alive, pls how do i get the Double DIN Pioneer sound system? Any link in Lagos. I need it ASAP.

Well done!!

Umm, got them from a dude that imports electronics from the US. Cost about 29k to Lagos. Could give you the guy's details if you're interested. PM me...

Siena: t-die, you definitely have the hydraulic tensioner, and one of the rollers shown on ETKA/ETOS.

Affirmative to that. But need the second roller and the hose.

Off to the market and keeping my fingers crossed that i would come across the hose at least. Am not too optimistic on finding a new roller, but one can never tell...

Bonding with your car by poring over the Engine schematics...
Going into the mechanic village myself this afternoon to source for the rollers and radiator hose

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/Uyo-20130731-00387_zps7d699f30.jpg

In a bid to 'reconstruct' the old radiator, the former owner had his mechanic remove the plastic tank (black part of the radiator) which had sprung a leak and replace it with a metal tank. In the process of doing this, they also removed the OEM lower radiator hose (which has a bleeding valve) and replaced it with some hose which was simply plugged into the radiator.

I thus also need a new or used lower radiator hose.

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/Uyo-20130730-00382_zpsf9b6d4ce.jpg

Meanwhile I snuck out today to the workshop- They're doing the timing belt change first. Unfortunately the timing belt kit I ordered did not include the timing belt 'rollers' (hope thats the correct term). Am having to source that locally from here (I have gotten assurance from a VW parts dealer that he has them in stock as brand new)

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/Uyo-20130730-00380_zps78e803f9.jpg

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/IMG-20130730-00379_zpse164a8d2.jpg

The new water pump has already been installed-thats the newish looking metallic part in the middle of the engine to the right.

Emperoh: Omo, tDie, better recruit someone for the pictures oooo
I don't want story. .. . . . . .i need full pictorial representation!!



Now, to the bolded. I have always associated this with VW cars.
My cousin's passat has already started sagging, my friend's Golf IV and a Jetta taxi i used sometime back also had this sagging. Not just the roof, but the door linings as well.

Sienna, what could be the issue here? Low quality? Weather? Poor build? What actually? Cos this is very unsightly and embarrassing at the same time

Common problem with Audis and VWs of that era seem to be the interior trim-especially fabric and plastics. I've seen numerous Audis and VWs-even high end models like Touaregs, A6s and even an A8 with peeling interior plastic buttons or sagging roofliners etc. Its also a very common and recurrent theme in online Audi and VW enthusiast forums.
Meanwhile my soon to leave 2002 Peugeot 307 has a spotless interior with brand new looking interior trim.
Guess all car marques have their shortcomings.

Siena: T-die, nice one!

Have you decided on wheels yet? I've got some nice ones, just turned up, 3 different designs. I'll send you pictures at some point.

Cool. Will be expecting the pix... While my pocket recovers a bit... ;-)

I have been hyper busy at work recently and haven't had time to update this thread. Its not like anything much has happened anyway.
In the meantime, I decided on upgrading the OEM Bose CD Player to a more recent but affordable Double DIN Pioneer sound system with all the perks-Bluetooth audio, Mp3, Ipod control etc . I however had to get a Double DIN installation kit for the Audi A4 B6.

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/TOBYDIE-PC/Audi%20Project%20Photobucket/Uyo-20130729-00377_zpsbbae3815.jpg


And then today, I got that all important phone call to bring in my car for continuation of the restoration process. Yay!!

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/TOBYDIE-PC/Audi%20Project%20Photobucket/IMG-20130729-00378_zps1e7c3853.jpg

The order of work is as follows

PHASE A; Fixing of all outstanding Engine and transmission issue/Preventive maintenance; timing + serpentine belt change, Water pump and Petrol pump change, transmission oil flush + Filter change, Oxygen sensor change, Brand new set of spark plugs, Radiator and AC condenser change.
Hopefully we can get it finished within the week.

PHASE B; Interior 'Pimping'- Not much to be done here- removal of the factory audio and installation of the new pioneer cd player. Refixing of the sagging roofliner and fixing of the passenger front seat airbag sensors (that is triggering the airbag light).

PHASE C; Exterior 'Pimping'- Installation of the Sideskirts, Angel eye Headlamps, LED Taillights, 18" Alloys (If I an find them) and a new paint job.

Unfortunately I might not be able to take detailed pix because my work schedule at the moment is just too tight and hardly allows me any extra time to drive over to the workshop and get pictures taken. Will try my best though. :-)

sultaan: how much import duty do you have to pay?

Freight forwarders normally include all costs into their final quotation. In my case I paid roughly 230 pounds as total cost of shipping. I don't know how much of it went into offsetting import charges

Finally.... ;-)

London to Lagos Transit time = 4 working days
Lagos freight forwarders depot in Ijora to my lagos contact person also in Ijora = 4 working days
Lagos to Uyo= 5 working days
But hell, I can live with that... :-)

I can't remember the last time I felt so excited-maybe in the good old 80s when xmas or easter gifts were eagerly looked forward to.
I started slashing away at the cellophane wrappings and it took me the best part of 20mins to get rid of it all-it was that well packed. Thanks once more to Siena for his invaluable help and assistance. I can imagine the stress to get all this packed up in the first place.

Phase II Loading...

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/TOBYDIE-PC/Audi%20Project%20Photobucket/Uyo-20130720-00343_zps4d3607da.jpg

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/TOBYDIE-PC/Audi%20Project%20Photobucket/Uyo-20130720-00349_zps524f4ff5.jpg

cne010: Oga wey our update.

Soon...

chukel: T-die, ur consignment neva reach? I'm anxiously waiting for work to recommence on dis ride. Just type nd post smth. I can't stand seeing dis topic relegated to page 2. Hv u received d items. Hasn't ur friend ended his leave? Anxiously waiting

Don't worry, I will update the thread once the items arrive. They just got into Lagos yesterday- and still need to make it down here to Uyo.

Siena: ...then my work here is done.

Ummm... Your work here is not yet done o... I would still need some remote support every now and then.

Anyways, my appreciation goes out to Siena, he has been of immense help, wouldn't have started this project on a Naija used "dreaded" Audi(if you get what I mean) without his support and advice.

For now, I sit back, soak Garri and wait for my items to arrive...

Ran my VIN through an Audi VIN Decoder this morning. Thats a must do for every car so you can get to know the detailed specs of, and information about your car. Could come in handy someday.
http://forums.audiworld.com/vindecoder.php?vin=WAULT68E02A254115#vinDecoderFarea

I now patiently await the arrival of my ordered items...

lomomike: Hello fellow NLers how una dey? Abeg wia oga t-die enta? #desperately searchin everywhere even under my bedsheet#

Lolz... I dey kampe o.
Right now, there's nothing much to do except wait for the ordered parts to arrive, and my Engineer friend to return from his leave.
Will keep you guys updated..

Good day;
Please how much would a good Audi A4. Quattro, 2003 model, V6, automatic transmission cost?

Thanks

Emperoh: You have sent me scampering back to the safety of where i was coming from.
In essence, i do better stick to my 325i or C240. . . . I am not given to plenty auto head aches due to my kind of work hence, need something that will give me the necessary power push and at the same time, durability.

Now, going by the above (per the reasons given), it is better to do the 3.0 liter quattro than the 1.8 liter turbo-charged? Also, are there issues that covers the two models? Cos sincerely, i do love to do this Audi but i need to sure i won't get into wahala after i must have done the right stuff.

How would you compare it to the 3 series E46 and the C class of same period?


On the power steering fluid, i think the previous owner used the red fluid we commonly find here.
Cos if it was the normal green fluid, it would turn black or some of a dark shade.
My thoughts though.

I would love Siena's input here as well.

Lol. I do not think you'd meet any less occasional challenges with the C240 or BMW. I daresay you might meet even more challenges with the Merc.-build quality for the W203 (if that's the model you want) was not exactly at its best. You can ask Trac or look at the Merc thread here.

My own candid advice; avoid ANY turbocharged engine.... Even if na Toyota sef... Except you have a verified good mechanic.

I got my car back some days ago and had parked it while waiting for the ordered parts to arrive.
Decided to warm up the engine last night and noticed that my steering was a bit stiffer than normal and quite noisy.

The Power steering fluid level was quite low, and I gathered from Siena that Audis and VWs do NOT use the regular red ATF/Power steering fluid, but a specific greenish VW/Audi Fluid. If you use the normal red ATF/Steering fluid, you risk degradation of the rubber seals in the steering system [Shudders at the implications]

I decided to find out what fluid the previous owner used by using a syringe to aspirate some of the fluid, I got a light red colored fluid.... wonder whether that is due to normal degeneration of the original green VW steering fluid, or due to maybe a mixture of the red ATF and the VW fluid...

To be on the safe side; a steering system flush is likely required. Thankfully the original steering fluid is available in Nigeria (according to a VW parts dealer in PH)- thats an extra 5K for 4L of fluid...

Will need to confirm whether it is actually the right kind of fluid when I see it on Monday.

https://i1365.photobucket.com/albums/r757/t-die/TOBYDIE-PC/Uyo-20130621-00287_zps307f8088.jpg

My power steering fluid sample...

Emperoh: Jesus!!!

Where have i been? So much for being off Car talk for a while!
I dare not miss this again.

T-Die, i followed you Peugeot Enugu - Akwa-ibom trip and i must say it was exciting
But this thread is taking things to a higher level. . . . . . . .kudos. I am really keen at this project for 2 reasons
I have always loved this spec of Audi A4 02-05 and i dream owning one. But it dealt with a friend who had a 1.8 Liter turbocharged engine. Hence, it was with glee i latched on to see what you are doing here and will ask him to come on here.

What his issues did was discourage me on the durability of this car and how it is issue prone. Hence, with your advice, maybe i will discard the 325i i am making plans to buy and switch back my love for this.

Secondly, you work will validate my belief that Audis are better cars to Benz. This assertion will end in a long debate.

However, i have some questions;
What City are you in? I guess PH
Will u be sharing the full cost incurred and a likely idea of what basic parts on this unit costs?
What likely issues should one expect for a car like this?

On another side, can i kindly make a request. This is in line with the need to patronize more equipped and knowledgeable mechanics.

Depending on what City you are based in, can i suggest that we give names and contact details of mechanics workshops where one can get a full auto service just like the one T-die is using?

We are not talking of road side mechanics here and i am not also looking to see the contact of Stallion or Kia Motors here or anything of sorts.
If you live in lagos, abuja, ph, enugu, kano etc. These will help others assess these services while using the knowledge we gain as a launch pad.

Tdie, kudos and keep it up. Fully subscribing to this

Thanks for the encouragement.

Truth is that some Audi B6s are better left alone-at least in Nigeria. This includes the 1.8T.
Apart from the fact that Turbo Engines are dreaded by a lot of Nigerian mechs, The 1.8 T came with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)instead of the regular automatic transmission. A double no-no for the car in my opinion.

I am based in Uyo and am willing to detail costs (if you're interested)-the costs are surprisingly not too high considering the quality of items you're getting. Just that transfer charges and shipping costs can add up to quite a bit if you get carried away... ;-)

As regards likely issues for the 3.0 Quattro (My model), Can't really think of anything that can go wrong again (apart from very unlikely automatic transmission issues)-since I'll be replacing the timing belt, water pump, serpentine (fan) belt, Automatic transmission fluid and filter, Radiator + condenser etc with brand new units from Audi through Siena.

wisesystem: Thanks for the info t-die so sad i dont have anyone in the UK I can readily use. Will have to find. Am really getting confused here, my Mech is boasting he has the Original for 15k, but with your info am beginning to doubt just how original his part is cuz its coming way cheaper. while outfits with credibility like ASD MOTORS are squeezing us dry...

I would advice you not to use mechanics own (it may be original, but I doubt its newness). Remember that sensors cannot be judged by how new they look. I guess you just have to stick with the ASD sensor then. Have you tried cleaning the sensor connector/cable with some contact fluid. I do know that for peugeots, some sensor errors can be triggered by faulty connections.

If you must use your mechanics', then let him install it and give you a guarantee, and then run another PP2000 scan to verify the sensor is working properly. Otherwise stick to ASD.

You could also ask folks like Siena to help you out with the purchase and shipment from the UK. Am sure he wouldn't object, and you would get exactly what your're looking for at a cheaper price than 32k.

And if you don't have a Peugeot scanner yet, then I'd advise you to also consider buying one...-it's more cost effective than continually having to pay to get your car scanned, the pay again to get the errors cleared after rectification.

I must warn you though, that if you want your fox to remain trouble free, then you should be looking at spending a bit higher (preventive maintenance like timing belt, and original parts for replacements).

Any shortcuts you take now would come back to haunt you later, and then your friends will only be too happy to say 'shebi we tell you say Peugeot na wahala car'

Ikenna351: I just called an ASD motors staff that works in their parts store. I gave him the part number (1628 KN). He said they have 1628 oxygen sensor, but dont understand what i mean by "KN". Well, i told him the engine is EW7. He said since its not PAN production, that he would like to check the VIN and be sure of the part number.

Anyway, he did say the price of 1628 is 32k. Hehehe! But lets hope their 1628 KN will be cheaper, if they have it, that is, if its not the same 1628 he said they have.

Ikenna.

Direct match for the 1628 KN in the UK is about 71 Pounds... roughly 19k. Its a direct match for your O2 sensor. If you can get someone to get it for you from the Uk, you'd be able to save a lot of money and be assured of quality as well.

See link; http://www.lambdapower.co.uk/partsearch/az2.asp?IDlist=LC-8148

[quote author=Exc@libur]To all the lion fans in the house;
I bought a naija used 2000 model 406 coupe v6(190bhp) automatic from a car dealer some weeks back knowing that it had an auto fault. Big mistake. The auto tranny failed completely and I've had to spend 130k getting a new gearbox.
My advice is this: If you are considering to buy a 406, better look for a manual gear and save urself the trouble of a gearbox failure.[/quote]While Peugeot Automatic gearboxes are not exactly the best in terms of reliability, it should also be noted that these gearboxes have very specific fluids to be used in them.
In my experience as a lion owner, I found out that even though we have a good peugeot presence in Nigeria, some parts are still not available. I personally have used a peugeot 307 with the "dreaded" AL4 Automatic tranny-first thing I did when I got her was a transmission oil change using the original Mobil LT 71141 fluid which had to be sourced from the UK as it was not available even in PAN Kaduna (I called them and contacted them via email). Up till now, my gearbox has been flawless (and I do a lot of long distance journeys).
I am not saying you should buy an Automatic 406, neither am I comparing Auto trans to manual, but IF you do buy an Automatic Lion, please source for the original tranmission fluid

wisesystem: t-die been following the progress you have been making on your car project, very impressive. But wont advice just anyone to embark on such a project oh! If we quantify the cost of the services you perform yourself and add that to the cost of other services you out-source and cost of parts, then its advice able for those of us not so grounded with the intricacies and complexities of a car engine to not get carried away and start such a project ooh!... we would simply end up wishing we had walked to a car stand rather.

Nonetheless you and the likes of Sienna and Ikenna have succeeded in creating that consciousness in Nairalanders and Nigerians to get more interested in knowing something about their cars. Been on the forum for just about a year and the increase in my car knowledge has been phenomenal,already my colleagues in the office now come to me for advice on car issues
( if only they knew who the real gurus are on Nairaland ) and that's after I educated them on the dangers of thermostat removal and the false idea of Injector Nozzles being serviced by our roadside Mechs, and the need to use the right tyre size in ones car.

Would keep following the progress your making, already learning a thing or two from your project. More grease to your obviously already greased elbow...

I get your point, but I am not advocating for people to take up abandoned or already wrecked cars and try to restore them without considering the feasbility and financial implications. I did not just pick this car-I had to consult widely (with Siena and other car experts) before deciding to go for this restoration project. Considering that this car is 11 years old, theres a possibility that the total cost of restoration may or may not approach the cost of a direct "tokunboh" Audi A4 of the same specs. But the restoration experience cannot be quantified in terms of cost, and at the end of the day I'll end up with a car that is fully customized to my taste and running on a brand new fuel pump, timing belt, etc... + I gain a more knowledge of how complex cars work etc.

All we are advocating is that people begin to get to know more about our cars because of the increasing complexity of the cars, and mostly static knowledge of a lot of our roadside mechanics (I acknowledge that some are good though).

In developed countries, you could probably get away without knowing anything about your car because there are a lot of competent mechanics and definite standards to be adhered to...in the USA you wont be allowed to run a car with CEL (Check Engine Light) Illuminated. In Naija however, it is brushed aside as "being normal" and attributed to so many diverse and funny reasons including "hot climate".

JUO: Siena has refused to confirm the detail of the car but i think is vw passat 1993 GT

Ummm...; I'm a bit confused here o.
Anyways, why not just post a pic of the car...: Lets take it from there...