Michelle: The Adventures

[Forge04]

So, today marks day 8 of owning my A4 FWD B7. So far, roughly, I've spent:

$14 - Center Console Lid (ebay)
$30 - Cam Follower (ebay/jhmotorsports)
$30 - Front Rotors turned at my on-post auto shop.
$227 - CVT fluid change (Euro shop here in Killeen)
Total = $311.

And the list will only get bigger before i can have some peace of mind. In order to get it up to the 95k service:

Replace spark plugs.
Engine oil change.
Timing belt/water pump/thermostat.
Check/replace cam follower.

Plus while doing the brakes I noticed my passenger side outer CV boot is torn off at the small clamp. $9 for the boot, no noticeable noises from that CV, so if I can find time...

Anyway, all that said this seems like such a negative post.

It is not.

I love my B7.

I'm 30 and it feels like the car I should be driving at this point in my life. It's a lot like me too I think: not the biggest, not the smallest. Not the most powerful but surprisingly strong for its size. Classy, not overly boisterous (Benz) or overcompensating/trying too hard (BMW). And is capable.

I'm looking forward to Ubering in it. In paying it off early and modding it. This car has me excited about mechanics like I used to be with my Scout.

Here's to more adventures, salut.

[Forge04]

http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b445/spartanj0505/Mobile%20Uploads/20160322_191744_zps2ttzvqss.jpg (http://s1044.photobucket.com/user/spartanj0505/media/Mobile%20Uploads/20160322_191744_zps2ttzvqss.jpg.html)

[aluthman]

[up] on the color. [down] on the transmission.

[Forge04]

[down] on the transmission.

Tell me about it bro. lol

But supposedly if I maintain the fluid changes it'll keep working just fine. And the MPG is a plus.

[4ty-phive]

Congrats on your car. As long as you are taking care of it, it will be good to you. I've noticed a lot of people doing the uber thing. Does it pay well?

[Forge04]

It let's me drive, which (especially now) I love doing. I get to meet different, sometimes cool ;) people, and instead of sitting at home playing video games I'm making money. On an average night in Austin I'm making between $70-$80.

If you'd like to start or have any questions, hit me up. I have a reference code that if you do decide to drive, would help me out. :) If not, that's cool too.

[allstock]

Great cars if you keep them maintained. I'm sure you've read a lot here to know what you need to do. Things like your cv you need to keep in check, if you don't listen to your inner voice most the time it's comes back to bite you. Don't lay down on what other people say about your transmission either. There are a lot of overly smart people here. Keep her running good.

[mtroxel]

There are a lot of overly smart people here.

Here? Really? [:D]

http://i.imgbox.com/tMXp6uNa.gif (http://imgbox.com/tMXp6uNa)

[Forge04]

Don't lay down on what other people say about your transmission either.

I'm not. Just had it flushed, so hopefully my filter and what not stays good. I'll eventually get my VAG-COM going so all I need is the fluid and a shop...

And all the info is awesome. Totally feeling nostalgic for the times I conversed with guys on the Scout forum.

[JUICE A6]

Fuck Bill Cosby he's not shit[emoji61]

Sent from my LGMS395 using Tapatalk

[allstock]

. I'll eventually get my VAG-COM going so all I need is the fluid and a shop...


One of the best decisions a b7 owner can make.

[Forge04]

Did get some bad news . . . the A4 is not eligible for Uber Select. The A6 and up from 2007 and newer are. [headbang]

[mtroxel]

Fuck Bill Cosby he's not shit[emoji61]

I'd say he's full of [poop]

[Forge04]

Yesterday fixed my rattling door handle. Today after i wake up it'll be money in account, then ordering parts...

Yay.

[Forge04]

Great news today! My center console lid came in! Way ahead of schedule. After fretting for a minute, I ended up just kinda, hoping the plastic wouldn't snap and it went it. Finally I have access to my second front cup holder.

:D

[Forge04]

Got my Europa parts in...

So I went and bought some castrol syntec euro version 0W-40 and to Sprockets I went.

Lots less painful than I was expecting.

Looks at my right front axle though, both CV boots now are torn. So the $20 on the boot from Europa is a waste.

RockAuto and $50 later gets me a whole new axle on Tuesday. I could have gotten one for $30, but there wasn't enough information about it to make me feel good.

Oh, also changed the sparks.

[Forge04]

Got my half-shaft in from Fedex today! Thursday no more grease going everywhere!

[Okedokey]

Great news today! My center console lid came in! Way ahead of schedule. After fretting for a minute, I ended up just kinda, hoping the plastic wouldn't snap and it went it. Finally I have access to my second front cup holder.

:D

Wait.... second front cup holder??

[Forge04]

Wait.... second front cup holder??

Lol I KNOW right?!

In any case, tomorrow is the big day. I change my timing belt tomorrow. Plenty of research done, ECS kit ready to go. We're ready to go get triple square should we need them...

I'm super nervous. I really don't want to blow up my Michelle. But I really CAN'T afford to have a shop do it.

So, wish us luck.

[Okedokey]

Pic of second cup holder pls?

[DaveyDave424]

Pic of second cup holder pls?

I assume 1st = closer to shift knob. 2nd = the one right behind the "first"....Since his lid was broken, probably had to have the arm rest lowered at all times, so possibly blocked the "2nd" cupholder ?

[Forge04]

I assume 1st = closer to shift knob. 2nd = the one right behind the "first"....Since his lid was broken, probably had to have the arm rest lowered at all times, so possibly blocked the "2nd" cupholder ?

Dave you would be correct! :) It's also nice to be able to slide when i want to now (e-brake) ;)

Alas though, today was the big day my fellows. Today my buddy Nate and I pulled Michelle into the post auto shop and went to work replacing the passenger halfshaft and timing belt/water pump.

The most frustrating thing? Not having torque specs. So we used German specs... Guudentite.

Now I'm obsessing about something coming loose. Argh.

In any case, almost had a catastrophe when we used one of the specs we had, the timing belt tensioner, which was 25Nm.

Torque wrench was bad! Literally stripped the nut! Thank god the kit came with hardware. Seriously. That saved the day.

Now I need to probably redo the halfshaft bolts to put locktite on em. Cause it bothers me.

But alas, I can now Uber and leave active duty with the clear mind that my timing belt won't fail and completely screw over my budget.

:) Happy driving!

[Forge04]

Update: loctite was put on the halfshaft bolts.

I need to check my cam follower though and don't have a fuel pump gasket. Will I seriously be screwed if i take out the HPFP without it?