Reviving the Cheapest RS4 from Bring a Trailer

[RS4_Dad]

I recently Bought and Mugello Blue RS4 off of Bring a Trailer https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2007-audi-rs4-228/

My first Order of business is sorting out the list of issues...... and there's a lot.

Mechanically:
1. There is an oil leak from the front end, I thought it was the oil cooler, but the lines and cooler are bone dry. ( still trying to figure it out)
2. Oil Consumption (1 quart between each oil change) with the amount of oil dripping I feel once i find the leak, this will be a none issue. But I'm also starting with Liqui Moli Additive kit Step 1.
3. Clutch Pedal sticking when hot Hasn't happened to me but, I'm Ordering USP motorsport Metal Slave Cylinder and braided Line kit.
4. 5 second wait from Acc on to engine start, ordered Fuel Pump Relay
5. Car Shuts down after hard driving. not sure what caused this but the last owner said it happened a few years ago twice and not again. I want to see if this happens after driving it more.
6. Adaptive head lights not working. I bought a Lightly used set and they work fine.
7. Ambient temp Not working. Ordered a new one.
8. Rear passenger airbag sensor. I can't replicate this issue. and there are no Codes being shown.

Now Cosmetics : The more I dig the more issues I find and harder the parts are to get.
1. Front bumper is broken in two places
2. Passenger Fender was poorly touched up. (the amount of touch up paint used they could have just sent it to a paint shop)
3. The Front oil cooler splitter is missing (no stock, I ordered a carbon fiber one from JK Carbon Designs)
4. The front grill is from an A4 and held on with epoxy. (ordered a new grill from a guy on eBay from Europe)
5. The undertray given to me from the seller was from an A4 and doesn't fit ( Another Part you cant buy any more looking for anyone who has one)
6. Missing the Brake ducts (found a set from UK Ebay)
7. Every Rim is curbed (getting Powdered Coated)
8. Brake Calipers are faded (getting Powdered Coated and adding stainless lines)
9. Rear driver door was once painted. (wet sanded the door down and polished it up)

Interior:
1. Rip in seat (looking for Recaro CS to get recovered to match the Platinum interior
2. Headliner sag. (not to bad im just ignore it for now)
3. Rear window are locked (ordered a new driver door switch)
2. Worn out headlight switch ( ordered a new one)

Picture from Listing


Picture when it arrived to my house


Current State

[Audibot]

Nice pickup

When I had looked, it was a couple days after it sold. Glad it's going to a good home! Sounds like you're giving it its due!

[RS4_Dad]

Tracking down the Oil Leak.

[87vr6]

3. Clutch Pedal sticking when hot Hasn't happened to me but, I'm Ordering USP motorsport Metal Slave Cylinder and braided Line kit.

I'm guessing clutch.


When you get it back on the road, get the car to operating temp, do a full throttle pull through 1st, 2nd, 3rd if possible (on a race track of course), and then see how the clutch pedal feels, if it's sticky, it's a common issue with higher mileage OEM pressure plates, so, new clutch time. I made it to about 95k on mine when it started exhibiting that behavior.


Sounds like you're in tune with these cars though, so maybe you know something I don't


Welcome though, fellow Muggy brother.

[RS4_Dad]

I'm guessing clutch.


When you get it back on the road, get the car to operating temp, do a full throttle pull through 1st, 2nd, 3rd if possible (on a race track of course), and then see how the clutch pedal feels, if it's sticky, it's a common issue with higher mileage OEM pressure plates, so, new clutch time. I made it to about 95k on mine when it started exhibiting that behavior.


Sounds like you're in tune with these cars though, so maybe you know something I don't


Welcome though, fellow Muggy brother.

Clutch feels fine, I ripped trough it and tried my hardest to recreate the issues the last owner encountered, I didn't. But the metal slave cylinder and line is a cheap enough item to replace its doesn't hurt.

On another note: The shop Powder Coating my wheels and Brakes called. I have two bend rims and one with a Crack. The gift that keeps on giving. I'm just glad I found it now. And not driving on the highway.

[Kenny147]

Tracking down the Oil Leak.

I’d be willing to bet the oil leak is the signature and very common secondary oil cooler, o-rings. If you didn’t already know, there’s another oil cooler between the alternator and the block, just behind the pulley tensioner. There are 2, $40 o-rings (if you get them from Audi) that like to get brittle and leak, which drips down the pulley and onto the coolant hard line below. Just like your pic.

[RS4_Dad]

I’d be willing to bet the oil leak is the signature and very common secondary oil cooler, o-rings. If you didn’t already know, there’s another oil cooler between the alternator and the block, just behind the pulley tensioner. There are 2, $40 o-rings (if you get them from Audi) that like to get brittle and leak, which drips down the pulley and onto the coolant hard line below. Just like your pic.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll start with those and the level sensor o ring and see where that gets me.

[longlivenacars]

That leak on the right side near the water pump could also be the oil filter housing gasket.

The oil passes down the valley through under the intake manifold and drips in invisible areas from the front of the engine down to that area. In my case a new number 8 oil filter housing gasket fixed that leak. peek through the I/m with a flashlight on the drivers side and you will see if there is oil on that side of the valley. I/m has lots of flashlight openings to check to see if yours is coming from there. I've changed lots of seals though, so yours might be another one. The oil leaks never end... lol

[RS4_Dad]

That leak on the right side near the water pump could also be the oil filter housing gasket.

The oil passes down the valley through under the intake manifold and drips in invisible areas from the front of the engine down to that area. In my case a new number 8 oil filter housing gasket fixed that leak. peek through the I/m with a flashlight on the drivers side and you will see if there is oil on that side of the valley. I/m has lots of flashlight openings to check to see if yours is coming from there. I've changed lots of seals though, so yours might be another one. The oil leaks never end... lol

What is I/M

[sti2relaxxin]

What is I/M

Intake manifold.

[RS4_Dad]

Intake manifold.

Gotcha.
I spend the weekend under the car with degreaser and a brushes to remove everything. Hopefully this will aid the search.

[blubusdrvr]

I saw this car and was very tempted to swap some parts around between mine (Avus) and this one but didn't have the balls (or time). It looked like it was in pretty rough shape. Soooo glad someone is going to revive it and love it instead of turning it into some Fast and Furious look a like, I've seen a few of those now that these are cheaper and it hurts my soul. (996 Porsche's too) uggh. Anyway, good luck. As you already know this page is a great source for knowledge, reach out.