What do I do?

[Sikha4]

Hey y'all. 2015 Summer, i went to an auction with my pops and got me a 2005 Audi A4 1.8T Cabriolet for $1,700. Advertised as 75k miles but turned out as 193k. Rules of auctions are no give backs. So now I was stuck with this car but hey, $1,700. Not bad. White smoke was coming out of the exhaust like no tomorrow that first day. It barely went fast. It has no boost. So I'll list all of the problems with it. Researching, I thought there was barely any engine oil so I got (forgot how much) engine oil. I basically overflowed it. So now:

A.) when I start it, the engine rattles (attached a link to the video.

B.) When I accelerate it, it has no boost to make me go fast.

C.) At first, it wasn't smoking on idle at all. I was surprised. Usually when you start it, 2-3 minutes after it starts smoking a lot. I gave it a drive around the block. I realized after pressing the accelerator hard for a boost, it didn't go higher than 25. After 25mph, it goes silent and all you see is a ton of smoke coming from the exhaust.

Also, there's some shady wiring under the hood. Colored wires I usually see on ceiling fans at my home. The fan in the front of the engine doesn't spin either I think. Ahh. I know it's too much for a forum to figure it out probably but someone must have a clue. Oh yeah, I forgot. When I was accelerating in the driveway, and I moved the car, I saw a big round wet spot. Something leaked and it wasn't oily.

[eljay]

Hello and welcome to the forum!
Sooo, you got yourself an Audi with issues, which means you're just like everyone else on this board. :D

There are more knowledgeable folks that I'm sure will chime, but let me try.
First, I wouldn't drive the car until you diagnose the major issues. Heavy white smoke, no boost, and leak are major issues. I bet you have a flashing CEL too.
Second, if you can, get the car scanned for codes to get a full list of items that need to be addressed.

White smoke out of the exhaust usually means that you are burning coolant, which means that it's leaking inside the combustion chambers and that likely equals a bad head gasket. However, the fact that you are also seeing a leak under the car, may mean that the coolant is leaking too. What kind of a fluid is it? What colour and consistency does it have? Coolant should be pink, but who knows what those auction clowns filled it with. When you open the coolant reservoir (only do so when the engine is completely cold!!), is the fluid watery or does it have oily feel to it? Is it brownish? That would indicate oil mixing with coolant and confirming a coolant leak inside the engine itself.
The reason it does not smoke heavy right away is that it takes a little time to warm up the engine and build coolant pressure. Once the pressure is up, the coolant forces itself through the compromised head gasket and starts burning off.
If the fan is not turning, it means the ECU is not telling it to. Some of that shady wiring may be the cause as usually the fan spins like crazy to protect the engine in case coolant temp sensors fail etc. Those may also be the source of the leak. Try to trace the leak if you can. Look around and see where there are wet spots.

Hope this gets you started. But again, I wouldn't run that engine and risk further damage.

[NickN]

Not trying to be a downer, but I would just ditch the car now. I can guarantee you that that thing has more nasty surprises up its sleeve than what you've already found.


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[texasboy21]

Youre looking at $2-5K in "regular maintenance" on any B6 at or near 100K miles. Factory in all the unknowns with the auction car, and your $1700 invest will cost you exponentially more. You might want to entertain selling it as is, and start with something in better shape.

[maurizio]

Part it out.
or
Drop in another 1.8t in it.

[Seerlah]

1. Compression/Leak Down Test

2. Decide what you want to do after you get your test reults.

3. For the love of rational thought, stop driving the car.

[f4i-pilot]

As an owner of a Cabriolet,I would suggest just part it out
At 200k and obviously has a CVT transmission I would get rid of it piece by piece
Or, BIG or
Start from the front and move back
Get someone qualified to look at the motor, do not run it anymore.
You are looking at $2-6k to take care of potential issues.
I am in the final stages of a CVT to 5spd swap cause my CVT was a POS, but my car had very low miles and it spectacular shape



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[Sikha4]

Now, throwing in another 1.8T engine on it will make majority of the problems disappear? I checked for a engine and got a quote of $2,500 for an engine with 60k mileage. It's a great car. Should I sell it as is on Craigslist and risk making any profit OR a stock engine swap? The engine comes with alternator, starter, power steering pump, AC compressor and turbo. $2,500 for the engine. I'm assuming labor will be another grand? So I got the car for $1,700, put in a new battery. Little over $2k has been invested in it. 2k plus 3.5k and then selling it, I think I should be able to break even right? It will be in good condition by then.

[Seerlah]

Is this post serious? Find out what is currently wrong with the car. You can get fully functional b6 a4s for sub $5,000 issue free. And that $2,500 is robbery.

[rocket1420]

If it's a CVT, get rid of it.

[f4i-pilot]

If it's a CVT, get rid of it.

I agree, you have no clue what you're getting into if the CVT even hiccups.
Trust me I know!
2005 Cabrio 1.8l CVT with 200k maybe 3k
You can get a hell of a lot more by smartly parting it out



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