idle chit chat

[nitronutz]

After being on this b6 forum for a short time I m quickly humbled by how many of you are so technically savvy about these cars. I mean I consider myself a handy person. I can do most of the basic maintenance items, oil changes, brakes and I fixed my abs module when it went bad and taught myself a rudimentary understanding of Vag Com. I 've been tinkering with cars since I m a teenager and I just turned 41. However this is one sophisticated automobile. A far cry from my a3 jetta or my g60 Corrado and after reading thru pages of these forum I am amazed how in depth some of you get into..stuff such as turbo swaps, data logging, tinkering with AF ratios, timing and what have you. Some of those thread might as well been written in a foreign language. I'd like to know how you experts got started and gained your knowledge if you are not a mechanic by trade. Thanks for humoring me.

[MNAudi101]

For myself it was from local car groups. Here in MN we have a large Audi community that all started it, they have taught me a lot of things that can be done to these cars coming from their backgrounds in them. Most of them would have engineering degrees and other varies degrees that help towards it. People have been modding cars all their lives and I believe the infomration just keeps getting passed down. When you break it down on some examples of a turbo swap or even a auto to manual swap they are very similar in every single vehicle.

[nitronutz]

Thanks for the insight man. Like I said it's nothing short of amazing how in depth some people knows these cars. Pulling motors, changing turbo set ups programming the ECU and deciphering VCDS codes like factory pros. While I always aspire to know more I quickly realized how little do I know and my car will probably never be heavily nodded like some of your cars. My goal is to just keeping running well and mostly stock. Which for this model is almost a huge task of its own. How quickly I realized how many things can go wrong...lol. never mind nodding and put out 300hp and worrying about what new turbo to put in it , I would be happy as a lark if my car will just run "factory smooth".
Unfortunately there no Audi clubs around my city as far as I know. Here in the biblebelt it's full of rednecks with their mustangs and camaros and endless streams of 4x4s and pick up trucks. Also the kids with their ricers with a fartcan strapped to the assend...haha, guess I 'll be reading more on here and hope to catch more useful info.

[diagnosticator]

I may know a little more than the average Audi enthusiast, regarding technical and engineering subjects in general, also reveals to me how much more I don't know. I can say that technical mechanical/electrical topics are both intuitive with the natural ability to synthesize more advanced technical insights using background experience and learned information. Basically, acquiring advance technical information is an automatic skill that is a one of the fundamental aspects of my character and personality. The scope of my background is not limited to automotive subjects. My professional career is in the field of Marine Systems Engineering and Ship O&M.

Remember, every person has their own unique skills, learned knowledge base and experience background.

[B6_A4_Kid]

Could not have said it any better, been here for a little over a month and this is definitely the best forum I have ever been on! You guys are great, keep it up!


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[maurizio]

1st place tie: OG and diagnosticator
2nd place: walky

[Let it snow]

Don't let them fool you. A lot of these people are retired Audi engineers who occasionally come to this forum to pass the time.

[customa4]

I've learned just about all that I know from here. My dad has worked in auto body as long as I've been around so I've always been around cars and working on them. I still barely scratched the surface with oil changes and brake jobs until I came here. Not having the cash to shell out $115-160 an hour for the dealership is a big motivation to start learning. A lot of it has to do with bookmarking Old Guy, Diagnosticator and WalkyTalky posts. I just search through my bookmarks for keywords whenever a subject comes up if I don't remember off hand. There are tons of people here that are very educated on this platform, not just those 3. They break things down in a way that is understandable to most(diagnosticator can get pretty deep sometimes) and there's almost always a solution if those guys are in the thread.

It's crazy to look back at some of the links Old Guy posts when he was not as educated on the platform and was asking questions one of us "enthusiasts" would ask. Seeing the in-depth responses he gives it's hard to believe there was a time where he asked questions.

[nitronutz]

Don't let them fool you. A lot of these people are retired Audi engineers who occasionally come to this forum to pass the time.

Lol that explains things. I knew they ain't no average Joe's off the street with all that techno Jargon.

[diagnosticator]

Lol that explains things. I knew they ain't no average Joe's off the street with all that techno Jargon.

That is probably the most difficult part of trying to help someone here on the forum. Explaining technical details while limiting jargon as much as possible with consideration assuming the readers unfamiliarity with technical terms, is how I try to write my posts. However, it is not always possible to simplify the tech jargon substituting everyday language that properly describes the technical subjects typically discussed here. There are no common language terms and words available that substitute for the specific technical language often required. With the reader's assumed inexperience with technical language it is necessary to include background information not directly related to the discussion topic when posting replies. I hope the expanded scope of many of my posts is useful, I'm often not sure.

[nitronutz]

I m sorry if you misunderstood sir. I find those "jargons" fascinating and I respect people whose depth of knowledge is at that level. Again it is humbling experience to own my a4 and learning all that can go wrong with it and all your help is appreciated. After all...the b6 a4 is a kickass machine but it is quirky, but at least it isn't cookie cutter like a Camry.

[diagnosticator]

I m sorry if you misunderstood sir. I find those "jargons" fascinating and I respect people whose depth of knowledge is at that level. Again it is humbling experience to own my a4 and learning all that can go wrong with it and all your help is appreciated. After all...the b6 a4 is a kickass machine but it is quirky, but at least it isn't cookie cutter like a Camry.

I consider Toyota Camrys to be basic personal transportation appliances, like a washer and dryer are household laundry appliances.

[old guy]

It's crazy to look back at some of the links Old Guy posts when he was not as educated on the platform and was asking questions one of us "enthusiasts" would ask. Seeing the in-depth responses he gives it's hard to believe there was a time where he asked questions.

Being a lifetime gearhead I have a pretty good understanding of mechanical principles so I had a good start. And you are absolutely correct. I have picked up a wealth of knowledge from so many people on this forum over my 13 years and 220K+ miles of ownership. John (diagnosticator) Keith (Walky) Mitch (Seerla) as well as so many others have provided me with so much information over the years that I have a pretty good understanding of the B6 platform.

I have always done all the wrenching on my cars so if it's something new I will research it, purchase any special tools necessary and go at it. I still recall my emails back and forth with diagnosticator getting prepped for my first 1.8T timing belt service. I wasn't totally clear on the belt tensioner adjustment and John gave me some very clear information.

Due to the nature of my job I have to be able to communicate clear concise information in an easy to understand format. I guess that's my forte when posting on different enthusiasts forums. I try to make something that seems complicated a bit easier to understand.

Happy wrenching!

[CyberPMG]

I tend to find out how long something lasts and let people know when it could blow up or break. Helps others to know what to check, when to do preventive maintenance, and what to replace.

Never have I owned any other car for as long as I have with my B6 A4. It's also been the most modified for my own personal taste to make this truly my own. I do try to read up on issues, provide my own experiences, and gain general knowledge. With my fat meat hands, I'm not as mechanically inclined as other to do the actual wrenching. Fortunately, I'm good friends with the owner of a local independent shop who will help out with the work.

I've always pondered starting an ongoing thread "Does it last?". I think over the past 11 years of ownership and over 316k miles on the odometer, I've been finding out how well certain parts hold up over time. Haha

[old guy]

And I very much appreciate your feedback on the longevity of various different components. Consequently I plan on replacing my oil pump and pick-up tube this spring. I monitor my oil pressure about every six months and so far everything is well within spec. But if I recall yours wore out around 235k miles and caused a catastrophic failure. I will be there within the year so it’s worth it to me to be ahead of the game and not worry about it.

[CyberPMG]

Agreed. I think once you hit 200k miles, you're beginning to reach the end for the oil pump. Checking the pressure is a good way to keep an eye on it.

FYI, seems end of life for the front and rear CVs on the drive/prop shaft seem to be ending after 316k. Looking to get mine replaced real soon. Fortunately, you can get the parts from 034 Motorsport and not have to buy a new or refurbished drive/prop shaft. As long as the shaft is good (mine is), replacing the ends and a new center support will bring things back to new (better than just getting a used one).

[old guy]

Good to know! I'll file that one away for 2018 ;-)