What Did You Do To Your Avant Today?

[kneel]

Today I threw my car up on jackstands in order to track down the elusive coolant leak......

i love coolant leaks they are so much fun
hope you get it all sorted out

[kneel]

Today I threw my car up on jackstands in order to track down the elusive coolant leak......

I love coolant leaks they are so much fun

hope you get it all sorted out

[AvantJunkie]

I love coolant leaks they are so much fun

hope you get it all sorted out

Thanks Neil. The problem seems to be a slow leak from the water pump. This really sucks considering the engine only has 20K miles on it. As of now, I'm debating on just replacing the pump, or doing the whole TB job. It just seems like such a waste to do the whole TB job given the mileage.

[CCA4]

Thanks Neil. The problem seems to be a slow leak from the water pump. This really sucks considering the engine only has 20K miles on it. As of now, I'm debating on just replacing the pump, or doing the whole TB job. It just seems like such a waste to do the whole TB job given the mileage.

I agree that it seems like a waste, only reason I would suggest you do the whole timing service at the same time is because of the labor involved getting to the water pump in the first place. Once you're in there its only another half-hour's work to do the timing belt, tensioner, and the rest of that garbage. Do you supposed the pump went bad or just a leaky o-ring or what?

[naiku]

Today I checked on my order from Genuinevwaudi.... its not shipped yet :(

[RONDAL]

Not today, but over the last 2 weeks, pulled the engine and proceeded to do a full engine tear down and turbo swap. Now got some Tial 605's in there with all the other go fast goodies to boot

[2006SLine]

Just got DupliColor Caliper paint delivered, got caliper decals and smoked side markers yesterday. This weekend or early next week that's what I'll be doing, as well as blacking out my roof rails finally.

[AvantJunkie]

I agree that it seems like a waste, only reason I would suggest you do the whole timing service at the same time is because of the labor involved getting to the water pump in the first place. Once you're in there its only another half-hour's work to do the timing belt, tensioner, and the rest of that garbage. Do you supposed the pump went bad or just a leaky o-ring or what?

I bit the bullet and ordered the entire TB kit--figured since I'll be in there, might as well make it all new. And yes, I'm thinking it's just the o-ring because it seems to leak more when the temp is cold and it's been sitting. I've got myself a project to tackle in the next couple weeks, that's for sure.

[naiku]

This weekend or early next week that's what I'll be doing, as well as blacking out my roof rails finally.

How are you planning on blacking out the roof rails? It is something I am tempted to do with mine, I met someone local who wants to swap chrome/silver rails for his black, but I just don't know when I (or he) will have time to do the switch.

[CCA4]

Rondal i just checked out your flickr album, where did you get that soccer mom sticker?! I want one!! lol that car is teh secks btw.

This weekend my avant gets a new TIP, 710n DV, catch can, stern snub mount, and some new fog light bulbs :D

[kneel]

I had an AWESOME day with my Avant today............................................. ..........NOPE!


So i worked on car all day working out some issues with the turbo build. This mornig/late afternoon i started her up to go to work, and she died. I did it again. Idle up then died again. Thinking its a vaccum leak somewhere. So i look under the hood see nothing loose are hoses off. So now i'm pushing leaving for work. I know i need to raise up the front a few more inches so i can check the IC piping to see if there are any loose clamps. So i throw my floor jack under the car - looked like it was fully on the subframe. Well i raise car up a little bit and start climbing under the car. I start to feel abit weird about it. So i climb back out and decide it would be safer if i get the the Jack Stands and call work and say i'd be a few late. Just as i stood up i see the Jack slip on the snow and ice on my drive way and the car drop to the ground. I figured it wasnt bad then i see all this OIL everywhere!

So cause i was an ASS and rushed to check my car out, it now sits at a shop awaiting a new oil pan. And i NEVER MADE IT TO WORK

So i kick my car in the gut and she puked her guts out all over my driveway!

[tankdeer]

Wow that sucks dude.

[D's Avant]

Sold mine and got a '08 A6 Avant today... Pretty happy, I will still miss my B5 Avant. Drove it for 12 years and never left us stranded. Needed more room for all the kid gear. Pictures when it's nicer out than the mid 20's here in Illinois.

[AvantJunkie]

I had an AWESOME day with my Avant today............................................. ..........NOPE!


So i worked on car all day working out some issues with the turbo build. This mornig/late afternoon i started her up to go to work, and she died. I did it again. Idle up then died again. Thinking its a vaccum leak somewhere. So i look under the hood see nothing loose are hoses off. So now i'm pushing leaving for work. I know i need to raise up the front a few more inches so i can check the IC piping to see if there are any loose clamps. So i throw my floor jack under the car - looked like it was fully on the subframe. Well i raise car up a little bit and start climbing under the car. I start to feel abit weird about it. So i climb back out and decide it would be safer if i get the the Jack Stands and call work and say i'd be a few late. Just as i stood up i see the Jack slip on the snow and ice on my drive way and the car drop to the ground. I figured it wasnt bad then i see all this OIL everywhere!

So cause i was an ASS and rushed to check my car out, it now sits at a shop awaiting a new oil pan. And i NEVER MADE IT TO WORK

So i kick my car in the gut and she puked her guts out all over my driveway!

Fack! Sorry to hear!

[2006SLine]

I had an AWESOME day with my Avant today............................................. ..........NOPE!


So i worked on car all day working out some issues with the turbo build. This mornig/late afternoon i started her up to go to work, and she died. I did it again. Idle up then died again. Thinking its a vaccum leak somewhere. So i look under the hood see nothing loose are hoses off. So now i'm pushing leaving for work. I know i need to raise up the front a few more inches so i can check the IC piping to see if there are any loose clamps. So i throw my floor jack under the car - looked like it was fully on the subframe. Well i raise car up a little bit and start climbing under the car. I start to feel abit weird about it. So i climb back out and decide it would be safer if i get the the Jack Stands and call work and say i'd be a few late. Just as i stood up i see the Jack slip on the snow and ice on my drive way and the car drop to the ground. I figured it wasnt bad then i see all this OIL everywhere!

So cause i was an ASS and rushed to check my car out, it now sits at a shop awaiting a new oil pan. And i NEVER MADE IT TO WORK

So i kick my car in the gut and she puked her guts out all over my driveway!

Brutal man, sorry to hear that, hope it goes well from here on out...

[boostedAvant]

Drove it up to Keystone and went snowboarding! So much fun. Love driving passes in the Avant. Man is she dirty now though, I refuse to wash it with all this snow we have in Denver though it just gets dirty in a day.

[kneel]

Sold mine and got a '08 A6 Avant today... Pretty happy, I will still miss my B5 Avant. Drove it for 12 years and never left us stranded. Needed more room for all the kid gear. Pictures when it's nicer out than the mid 20's here in Illinois.

Congrats on the new ride!

Fack! Sorry to hear!

Thanks man

Brutal man, sorry to hear that, hope it goes well from here on out...

Me too! i get her back in a few hours. Too cold to do the job in my driveway, plus not dealing with all the snow and ice again.

[2006SLine]

Same thing I did about a year ago. Works pretty well. I should have been a little more careful in my trimming as there are a couple of spots that need to be redone, but you only notice it when you're close to it. This is the only real pic I have handy, but you can still see - no chrome window trim.

Tankdeer, I saw you driving on NW Vaugh right at Montgomery Park about 3pm today, I was in my Bug going the other way, I kinda like the wheels man, looks cool in the real world...

[tankdeer]

Tankdeer, I saw you driving on NW Vaugh right at Montgomery Park about 3pm today, I was in my Bug going the other way, I kinda like the wheels man, looks cool in the real world...

That's funny, I saw you too. Bug looks real nice in person. I was wondering if it was you when we went past.

[2006SLine]

That's funny, I saw you too. Bug looks real nice in person. I was wondering if it was you when we went past.

Thanks, just decided to pull it out of the garage on a whim cause it was so nice today. Needs to be cleaned up and stuff...

[boostedAvant]

Gave her a wash. I'll see if I can find my before picture. I don't think my car had ever been that dirty before, even after the pikes peak cruise. haha

[2006SLine]

Finally did the roof rails with the bmwshadowline matte black. Wish I could say it went well, holy nightmare! I thought the rails would be easy compared to the window molding. Not so much. Complete disaster. I guess I'm not as good at this kind of stuff as I thought. I think the big issue is trying to do all the surfaces in one piece and wrap everything. The front looks ok, but the tops don't look very good at all on the ends and the back and underside of the rails is hideous to say the least. I'm thoroughly disappointed in myself right now. Maybe it would be better/easier in warmer weather and if I used one section for the front and top, then a different piece for the back and under side??? I don't know, but it's horrible right now. I'm not too interested in the silver rails so I'm gonna leave it for the winter then maybe attempt it again or just pay the $200 and have a vinyl wrap place do it for me. Here's a couple pictures just cause I was planning a write up, but abandoned that half way through given how poorly it went. Rough afternoon...

Before:


During... I actually tried to start on the top first, and wrap down on both sides, but it didn't work well and looked terrible.


After... You can see some of the poor job towards the front of the rail actually, yikes. The driver side is even worse, I was pissed and didn't take my time as well as I should have. Oh well, doesn't help when you are 30 minutes from home, hungry, and still cold even in a heated shop.


Durability is TBD still. I put my Yakima rack back on, just gonna leave it until the season is over and then we'll see...

[feelgood156]

^^ I don't know, maybe it's just me and my poor eyesight but I think it looks pretty good! :dunno:

[tankdeer]

It definitely looks good in the pictures. But I know that pictures can be deceiving. Good job on trying though, I was too afraid to even go that far.

Ever thought about swapping rails with a B6'er? Lots of them have OEM black rails and I'm sure you could find somebody willing to swap.

[2006SLine]

It definitely looks good in the pictures. But I know that pictures can be deceiving. Good job on trying though, I was too afraid to even go that far.

Ever thought about swapping rails with a B6'er? Lots of them have OEM black rails and I'm sure you could find somebody willing to swap.

If you saw the back of the rails it would tell the story. It looks ok for now, but definitely need a better long term solution, thanks for the comments though!!

I did consider swapping rails, problem is you have to remove the headliner to do so...

[naiku]

^^ I don't know, maybe it's just me and my poor eyesight but I think it looks pretty good! :dunno:

I thought the same, I don't see anything in the pictures but imagine matte black would be hard to spot things out of place without looking very carefully.

Ever thought about swapping rails with a B6'er? Lots of them have OEM black rails and I'm sure you could find somebody willing to swap.

That is what I am hoping to do, I even found a local B6 owner who wants to swap for silver rails. Problem is that I never have enough free time to spend a day swapping them over with him. Kind of annoying really as it is a swap we both want to do.

I did consider swapping rails, problem is you have to remove the headliner to do so...

Actually, from my research into this you do not have to remove the headliner. Only the trim on the sides, you can then access the bolts. If I had to remove the headliner I would not even consider it.

As for what I did to my Avant today... looked under the hood, and cursed as I saw oil all over my second coil pack. Pretty sure it is the valve cover gasket as I already have the BSH PCV fix. Luckily a new gasket arrived on Wednesday, so all I have to do is find a DIY to switch it over. Then if I get time I really really really need to check my cam follower, but am for some reason incredibly nervous to do so. My CPO expires next month, and I have been getting random fuel cuts. I also can finally fix my squeaking rear seat as the new grommet arrived.

Once all that is done, I can order some paint and give the Avant some TLC with a new spoiler and fit the RS4 rear sway bar.

[feelgood156]

Sorry to swing this thread off topic but what's the difference between Arctic White and Ibis White can you tell the difference just by looking at a stand alone car? (not side by side)

[naiku]

Sorry to swing this thread off topic but what's the difference between Arctic White and Ibis White can you tell the difference just by looking at a stand alone car? (not side by side)

From what I have read Arctic White is a more creamy white, where as Ibis White is a brighter white.

[tankdeer]

^ that sounds about right from the pics I've seen

BTW Amber, did you pick up your S4 yet?

[feelgood156]

Cool, thanks guys :)

Patrick: NOT YET! The loan paperwork should be drawn up this coming week though. So we're definitely getting closer! Just trying to keep my excitement under control. I'm sure Dan is looking forward to wrapping this up as well--his new car's currently not being garaged because he had clay'd and polished the avant He's been very patient with this process

[2006SLine]

Actually, from my research into this you do not have to remove the headliner. Only the trim on the sides, you can then access the bolts. If I had to remove the headliner I would not even consider it.

That makes sense, I was just told the whole thing had to come out. If you do it, let me know how hard it is, might try to explore that option again if it's not overly difficult, thanks.

[Graham_f]

I finally pulled the coils out from behind the ashtray...witout pulling the dash apart:)
I found $15.89 and now it opens all the way!

[Dubdemand]

Finally did the roof rails with the bmwshadowline matte black. Wish I could say it went well, holy nightmare! I thought the rails would be easy compared to the window molding. Not so much. Complete disaster. I guess I'm not as good at this kind of stuff as I thought. I think the big issue is trying to do all the surfaces in one piece and wrap everything. The front looks ok, but the tops don't look very good at all on the ends and the back and underside of the rails is hideous to say the least. I'm thoroughly disappointed in myself right now. Maybe it would be better/easier in warmer weather and if I used one section for the front and top, then a different piece for the back and under side??? I don't know, but it's horrible right now. I'm not too interested in the silver rails so I'm gonna leave it for the winter then maybe attempt it again or just pay the $200 and have a vinyl wrap place do it for me. Here's a couple pictures just cause I was planning a write up, but abandoned that half way through given how poorly it went. Rough afternoon...

Before:


During... I actually tried to start on the top first, and wrap down on both sides, but it didn't work well and looked terrible.


After... You can see some of the poor job towards the front of the rail actually, yikes. The driver side is even worse, I was pissed and didn't take my time as well as I should have. Oh well, doesn't help when you are 30 minutes from home, hungry, and still cold even in a heated shop.


Durability is TBD still. I put my Yakima rack back on, just gonna leave it until the season is over and then we'll see...

Guess we got different options in the UK but ours came with black rails although they were spec'd as an option... pic for reference and yes I know it needs lower ;)

[tankdeer]

Oh yeah, tons of different options across the pond. For instance, a B8 Avant with a 6MT.

The only way to get the B7 with black rails from the factory was to get the Ti package.

[mcb001982]

Ooopsss....... Ran over a snowbank the other day on the way to work.

[paulorama]

Took off my oem mudflaps and replaced them with rally style ones because the oem ones were messing up my paint. I also fixed my leaking headlight washer pump

[feelgood156]

Guess we got different options in the UK but ours came with black rails although they were spec'd as an option... pic for reference and yes I know it needs lower ;)

Now you just need to black out your window trim :P

[SoCalS4Avant]

Got one Avant dirty, while washing the other.

Had the S4 up in the mountains this weekend. No snow, but lots of water running across the roadways. Ugh. At least when there's snow, I can justify getting her dirty. Washed the wife's A4 on Sunday afternoon. Got some swirls out of the hood as well (damn stealership...I TOLD them not to wash it!).

[bryzf1]

Got one Avant dirty, while washing the other.

Had the S4 up in the mountains this weekend. No snow, but lots of water running across the roadways. Ugh. At least when there's snow, I can justify getting her dirty. Washed the wife's A4 on Sunday afternoon. Got some swirls out of the hood as well (damn stealership...I TOLD them not to wash it!).

I detailed my A6 yesterday and noticed quite a few swirls on the doors, I feel your pain... It's so frustrating! What did you use to get the swirls out?

[SoCalS4Avant]

I detailed my A6 yesterday and noticed quite a few swirls on the doors, I feel your pain... It's so frustrating! What did you use to get the swirls out?

I used Meguiars SwirlX swirl remover. Gave it a ton of elbow grease applying it on, then used the same amount of elbow grease buffing it off. I was very satisfied with it. Put it under the bright lights in my garage, and it still looked good. Next time I wash her, I'll probably do it again - make sure it's 100%.