Checking with you guys first.

[redline380]

I've had three audis-

My 2001 sedan, which was m first purchase. Currently modded and sitting away until winter is over.

A 1997 A8, which I bought for $500 a little smashed up, put $300 into it, drove it for a few months, and sold it for $1600.

And my current DD, a 2000 Avant 1.8tqms I purchased for $1000. It has high miles, 230k, but the thing was maintained a ridiculous amount. Had a brand new factory cylinder head on it at 208k. Willing to bet I could sell it for $2000 or more.


Well, I will probably have the opportunity to pick up a 2002 Avant 1.8tqms, like blue in color, not sure what it is called. Dude wants $1500, which I think is fair. Says there is a coolant leak and it will need to be trailered. Not a big deal. What is a big deal is there are obviously guys lining up to but this thing. I apparently have first crack at, so I will need to make a deal on the spot, probably for his asking price.

I have no issues fixing anything and am very familiar with 06a engines, as you might expect. Never worked on a B6 though.

So, what are your thoughts? I have no need for three cars, and can't really afford three. The sedan is going nowhere since I have about $14k stuck into it. So, the B6 would either be a flip car, or I would dump my B5 avant. I could probably afford all three, but I am in my last semester of law school and getting married this summer. So some profit somewhere would be nice to have.

[walky_talky20]

My brother just picked up a B6. He got a good deal, but there were some surprises.
- Check the roof gutters for rust. It gets involved to fix that.
- Check bottom of doors (inside) and door blade area for rust. The rear door seals, especially, like to hold water which can lead to rust.
- Check for various broken interior stuff. Glove box door, sun roof shade (people often forget to look up when they check out the inside), soft-touch buttons.

Some unexpected repairs he had to do shortly after buying it:
- replace battery
- wiper transmission seizing /motor shaft slipping (just repaired it)
- Radio failed (some channels didn't work, and would randomly quite altogether)
- Alarm system / no chirp (batteries corroded inside)
- Turn signal stalk (choosing left turn flashes the right turn signal)
- Rear output shaft seal
- Probably forgetting some things

He is almost caught up with all the fixing now, but was getting pretty tired of all the 'common B6 failures' - especially the problems that didn't affect the B5 chassis. In my opinion, I feel the B5 is a better made car. They are getting older now, but I feel that Audi cheapened the B6 a little too much.

[PreciseD]

Depends on what kind of coolant leak..... Rear flange ok, cracked head not ok

[redline380]

Depends on what kind of coolant leak..... Rear flange ok, cracked head not ok

I'd be ok with a cracked head, but im not paying $1500 for it then. Guess I will have to do some inspection





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[PreciseD]

Not sure why a coolant leak needs to be trailered so I would really did into it before you buy a can of worms.

[redline380]

Not sure why a coolant leak needs to be trailered so I would really did into it before you buy a can of worms.

probably because it wouldn't last the 80 mile drive home. I will definitely look into it pretty good. Guy seems to be somewhat of an enthusiast because he knows what avus wheels are





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[PreciseD]

People on Vortex know what those wheels are and I wouldn't consider them enthusiasts lol.

[redline380]

Here's the color. Rest of his photos suck

[PreciseD]

Do you not have inspection in MN?

[redline380]

Do you not have inspection in MN?

Zero inspection whatsoever. My sedan has no PCV, evap, SAI, nothing.

New law this year though. When you want to transfer the title, you have to show proof of insurance, so that kind of sucks. Would have to insure it just to transfer title

[PreciseD]

Zero inspection whatsoever. My sedan has no PCV, evap, SAI, nothing.

New law this year though. When you want to transfer the title, you have to show proof of insurance, so that kind of sucks. Would have to insure it just to transfer title

Well I think everyone should have insurance (not forced upon you lol). I need to register my car in a state that does't do emissions. It's a crock of shit.

[marklar182]

Crystal Blue Metallic

[redline380]

Crystal Blue Metallic

Is it a desirable b6 color?

[krew53]

Is it a desirable b6 color?

No haha

[SJorge3442]

No haha

Thats a kind way of telling him. Basically the color is like what you'd imagine Barbie to drive, if of course, her car wasnt available in pink.

[krew53]

Thats a kind way of telling him. Basically the color is like what you'd imagine Barbie to drive, if of course, her car wasnt available in pink.

I wasn't meaning to be a dick.. But yeah it always reminded me of a chick color.

[redline380]

I wasn't meaning to be a dick.. But yeah it always reminded me of a chick color.

Well, my masculinity is not that fragile where a chick colored car could damage it.

However, my wallet would definitely like it to be sold for top dollar, should I decide to dump it.

On a side note, if b5's came in that color, I am willing to bet it would be considered desirable.

[Let it snow]

I had a B5 Passat in that color. I kind of liked the color. You don't see it everywhere.

[SJorge3442]

Hell, even if you hate the color, there's always vinyl wrap!

[CyberPMG]

That is a rare color option. Not many built came with that.

[redline380]

Well, checked it out tonight. Overall, it is in pretty decent shape. I didnt look at it very long, but the worst part is the rust spot on the lower door and fender. Besides that, everything is pretty good.

Gave the guy a $100 check postdated for Saturday, and told him I'll be back with $1500 cash.

He had three obvious coolant leaks. First two were on the coolant crossover pipe, with one by the orinf and the other on the nipple for the turbo coolant return. Plenty of crustys.

He said he had lots of steam coming out by the turbo. So, I inspected the coolant return from the turbo. Lots of coolant on it, and a couple tears in the rubber.

So, depending on if my diagnosis is correct, I should have a decent running avant for around $1700 total investment. I just need that guy to keep his end of the deal and I will be picking it up by the end of the week.

[Willënskraft]

How are the window regulators? And any signs of oil leaks?

[customa4]

Looks like some nice meat on those winter tires too. Added bonus

[redline380]

How are the window regulators? And any signs of oil leaks?

No idea on the regulators.

Of course the block was a tad damp, but so goes owning an Audi. I spyed a Mann oil filter, so that was a plus. His intervals were a little long for my liking, about 7k, but he did use quality oil.

Looks like some nice meat on those winter tires too. Added bonus

Winters dont come with it. 18" Avus wheels with some sort of summer tire do , though. I do have a set of 17" avus with general altimax arctic for winter duty, so I do not care too much

[redline380]

Just pulled in the driveway and discovered it is a one owner vehicle, so thats cool. Status and pic update later

[redline380]

[walky_talky20]

It came with those wheels? Score.

Color is not bad, I think.

[redline380]

It came with those wheels? Score.

Color is not bad, I think.

Even cam with PSS 3's. Unfortunately, only two wheels have those. The others are PSS A/S, so rubbers will be needed.


Little more info on the car- the coolant leak is definitely the turbo return line, so a $40 fix.

The car is pretty basic, manual seats, no homelink, no sunroof (desirable in a b6?), interior is in decent shape. We will see how it cleans up. The front passenger door corner is rotted through, so I will probably be interested in attempting to fix it. The rust is all the way through. Brakes need a little attention.

Thinking I might get it on the road in a week or so. There is no rush.

[redline380]

And a question? Is the fan supposed to spin right on startup? that thing is pretty annoying.

[dolphinaudi]

That's an awesome color, very rare. Not a chick color at all. But again, I'm pretty confident in my masculinity so the fragile guys might not like the color.

[old guy]

And a question? Is the fan supposed to spin right on startup? that thing is pretty annoying.

Not normal. Check for DTC's. I suspect that you will find a P1296 or similar code for a cooling system malfunction.

[redline380]

Not normal. Check for DTC's. I suspect that you will find a P1296 or similar code for a cooling system malfunction.

Will scan when I can. The thing has had coolant related issues due to the leaky hose, maybe it is coming from that?

I come from B5 land where we have viscous fan clutches

[old guy]

The fans running on start up is the default position for the ECM when it receives incongruent information from the coolant temperature sensors. It knows something is wrong so it goes into protection mode (maximum cooling ) to protect the engine.

[redline380]

The fans running on start up is the default position for the ECM when it receives incongruent information from the coolant temperature sensors. It knows something is wrong so it goes into protection mode (maximum cooling ) to protect the engine.

I figured as much.

On B5's (and just about every other vehicle out there) removing the battery for a couple minutes clears codes and basically gives you a fresh start. I'm assuming it is the same with the B6. But are there any negative ramifications from doing so that I am unaware of?

[old guy]

Nope.

[walky_talky20]

I come from B5 land

Such a great place, B5 Land.

[fR3ZNO]

Such a great place, B5 Land.

Aye. I wish to venture back to B5 land in the future.

[crazyquik22023]

Check the thermostat housing and the j-plug as well for coolant leakage. Those are a very common leak spots on the b6. Also if the coolant temp is running too cold or too hot you will have a coolant system malfunction fault and the fans will start right up on start up as you are describing. Pretty much what old guy said.

[redline380]

There is definately a couple other small leaks on the crossover pipe. The one is the turbo return line, which is going to be replaced since it is leaking at the turbo. Its a $6 dollar part, Contitech even. Seriously, this guy wanted to sell the car because of a $6 part that will take me 10 minutes to change.

The other obvious leak is where the crossover pipe connects to the rubber hose that goes to the coolant flange. On b5's, this connection goes directly from the crossover pipe to the flange, the pipe actually bolts up to the flange and there is an oring to seal the connection. On b6's, the crossover pipe connects to the flange via a rubber hose, so I will probably get a new one of those.

Besides that, the thing need s a good cleaning inside and out. A few other things will need to be addressed but it should be driveable after taking care of the coolant leaks.

[redline380]

Alrighty, everyone likes threads with pics, right? Plenty of leaks on this thing. But its funny, its like everything is leaking at the clamps, as if they weren't clamped down enough, or got weak.

Right now, its looking like the turbo coolant return line and a coolant flange. T-stat looked leak free. Replace a couple clamps here and there, and she will be ready for a road test. Back rotors are pretty rusty, so probably some of those. There are a couple goodies here and there lik ECS slotted front rotors and stainless brake lines.