The Black Pearl

[VAG fool]

Having previously introduced myself and the car, it's time to get stuck in and see what I've actually bought!
First A2 so lots to learn but had a 52 Allroad before, but it was younger then and largely trouble free!
52 plate 1.4 SE manual with 88k, OSS, red leather 5-seat interior, climate, Concerto, Bose, cruise, all electric windows, 17" wheels, fog lights.
Things that were clearly apparent:
Wet boot and streaming condensation. Immediately took the rumper off to access rear vents, found a bent rear crash beam, broken rear spring tails, missing/wrong fixings...
This morning, I find a lack of front undertray! Not really surprised after 7 previous owners, suggests bottom-feeder garages which would tally up with some of the work at the rear.
Anyway, it's not a project! Needs to be sorted so my good lady can travel in style & comfort. Not that we are going anywhere soon...

 

[Skipton01]

Wow! That's not exactly the result of a parking nudge is it?? I had a spare beam available after I fitted the tow bar, but it has long since gone to the recycle yard I'm afraid.

As a petrol, you shouldn't find getting an under tray too tricky. Good luck.

 

[VAG fool]

Got a beam from fleabay, £20 delivered which I thought was ok.
Sun is shining today and I have the breeze blowing though to help drying out. I'll get the vents sorted and her bottom covered up today, waiting on an unreliable supplier for the new Sachs HD springs to arrive whichbis frustrating because I now have everything else ready.

 

[VAG fool]

Up front, theres a sweaty headlamp but neither fit that well, I think the car has had a light shunt as the front end fit isnt quite right. Probably be needing a new front bumper support too...

 

[Skipton01]

Can't help you with the front either - now if you wanted a Jag F-Pace rear beam, I have one of those. . . .

While you have the front bumper off, do yourself a favour and relocate the horn and put one in that's a bit more audible - the stock one is almost motorcycle pathetic in its output.

Pretty much all headlights get a bit of damp in them - I've got a pair that I know have never been in a bump, but they still sweat - I think the joint between the clear and black acrylic splits over time, making capillary water ingress possible.

When you say get the vents sorted, I presume you mean new ones? No amount of silicone or other sealing methods will ever be anything other than a temporary fix.

 

[VAG fool]

My take on the rear vent reseal. A superb pair of used vents (ex-Passat I think) to replace the tatty ones. They came with no seals but then, the originals are very soft and clearly porous long-term because I could wring the water out of them so...I fitted the replacements with 8mm Sorbo neoprene cord, with the join placed centrally at the bottom. Its appreciably firmer than the oem seal and a bit of a cram to get it in the groove, but results in a broader sealing face. This was then backed up with a generous bead of Reinzosil (humidity cure, non-acidic) and smoothed off to shed rainwater.
I'm confident this will work well.

 

[Skipton01]

The vents are actually old Audi 100 parts - 4A0 819 181. Good luck with the sealing method chosen - I hope for the best for you, but fear the worst.

 

[VAG fool]

I'm not surprised at the part origin, this isnt my first VAG rodeo, hence my user name.
We'll see how the vent replacement works out shall we?
I the meantime, I poked about the car some more, lifted the rear seat and carpet to get it ventilated, took another look up front.
Yep, she's been playing bumper cars at some time...

 

[Skipton01]

That’s incredibly close to the condenser/radiator. It beggars belief that someone’s put a new bumper on but not bothered with the crash member, which would h e been far cheaper.

 

[VAG fool]

Its about as close as the rear one was to the body, just kissing it, nothing leaks so I'll take that.
The last body shop to touch the back end wasn't too diligent either. Nearside bumper mounting is missing, dont know how I failed to spot it tbh. Its 19 years old, not surprised.

 

[Kleynie]

We are finding stuff like this on my daughters black A2, exactly the same as yours, the rear crash bar was almost touching the body. We had a new one, so just fitted that, and we sealed the vents with black Dow Corning 785. Have not checked the front crash bar yet.

 

[dj_efk]

Top tip: fit a diesel under tray - these have additional soundproofing.

 

[VAG fool]

Removed rear bench seat and all rear trim to get the car properly dry after rear vent replacement (we had rain last night and no further ingress afaics, no sign of anything running down the C posts either)
Removed filler flap motor and linkage while its accessible, guessing motor has failed so a PO snapped the end off the locking rod. But the switch is also in a state (doesnt pop out when pressed) along with the stuck ultrasonic defeat switch.
Found some other post-bodyshop unpleasantness up front too ?
I think that I will keep going and prepare for headlining removal.

 

[VAG fool]

Thanks to 7zap.com I found the part numbers for the spare wheel mounting bracket and knob part numbers.
Chanced my arm at oemvwshop.com in Bratislava, because at the price and even allowing for €20 shipping, it was a whisker over £60 for both bits. Payed with paypal to cover my backside.
Lets see how long it takes them to arrive...plus import duty!

 

[VAG fool]

Overnight rear carpet drying with a little help from a dog pen panel! Please dont think I'm some horrible middle class aspirational type... bought the Aga for £300, dismantled, from Sheffield and then rebuilt and installed it myself)

Persistent rain today and car is still dry inside, so the rear vent job is a success in my book

 

[VAG fool]

Managed to snag a decent rhd hard touch 8L4 962 109A ultrasonic defeat switch ?
Crewe Audi are supplying a new rhd fuel flap switch, not arrived just yet.
£30 each but what can you do?

 

[VAG fool]

Also pleased to report that we have much milder temps today, now in the low teens.
Car is bone dry inside even after some showers and no condensation anywhere!
Drying the carpet out helped no end but the rear vent job (with 8mm Sorbo neoprene rubber cord and a good bead of Reinzosil applied before installation, smoothed off afterwards) has been the charm.

 

[VAG fool]

I would say "details" but they are rather essential.

 

[VAG fool]

More effort than I was expecting but this missing bracket (thanks Clackers!) is now fitted and the back bumper is on again. Rear carpet and a full set of cargo eyes now reinstalled.
Progress!
I visited Ami yesterday and collected a set of front crash beams, so now I can look at that end and see what horrors are lurking behind the bumper...

 

[A2Steve]

The rear bumper can come off without removing any of the wheel arch screws, but glad you got it sorted.