need help/advice inspecting AllRoad (i know this has been asked a billion times b4)

[martianbooby]

ok so most of you probably know my avant has been totaled, i am going to look at an AR tomorrow at noon, 2001 140k, no service records, they claim she is in great condition no leaking airbags.
i asked if they have a lift i could use to inspect it and they said yes, so my question is how do i inspect airbags for leaks (other then letting it seat overnight which i obviously cant do)? how do i tell the recalled airbags from the newer ones?
also can i take the top timing covers off on the 2.7 like in the 2.8(to inspect the timing belt)? or is there stuff in the way?
to inspect for problems i also thought about trying to pull the ic and see if there is oil in it, is this possible with the bumper on? or would i have to drop the bumper(i doubt they would let me take the bumper off)?
what else should i inspect, look for? im new to the 2.7...

they are asking 4900 non negotiable, ill still try to negotiate tho since it has no records i dont feel she is worth it

[dave_graham]

oh boy...that price begs for issues to be found.

things I'd look for:
a.) VCGs
b.) timing belt
c.) rear tailshaft seal leak
d.) bring a VAG-COM and read the codes. (or go somewhere where there is one...trust me, this'll be a life saver)

if it's a TIP, you'd need to determine if the TC has ever been replaced (or ATF, for that matter)

etc. etc.

buyer beware, my friend.

d

[martianbooby]

oh boy...that price begs for issues to be found.

things I'd look for:
a.) VCGs
b.) timing belt
c.) rear tailshaft seal leak
d.) bring a VAG-COM and read the codes. (or go somewhere where there is one...trust me, this'll be a life saver)
if it's a TIP, you'd need to determine if the TC has ever been replaced (or ATF, for that matter)

etc. etc.

buyer beware, my friend.

d

thanks for the response.

im bringing a vagcom... and was going to inspect the timing belt and vc gaskets the half moon and everything else visible on the heads, probably going to pull a spark plug on each side to see how they look too, whats a rear tailshaft seal?
and how would i go about figuring if the tc was done?

[martianbooby]

anyone?? i need moar info please

[JTapper]

For that price, even if you had to do the tailshaft seals, cam tensioner seals, and timing service, you'd still be money ahead as long as the body and interior are in good shape.

Run the suspension through the height settings as well to verify the compressor doesn't make excessive noise and that it won't throw a code after being moved around.