Introduction (overdue)

[GingerSumer2003]

Plugs from cylinders 1 --> 4

Old coil (right) still worked but wasn't comfortable leaving it like that long term

 

[FinallyFiona]

I'd call that a good save, I think Goodness me what an effect on that spark plug. I bet it goes a lot nicer now!

 

[GingerSumer2003]

Surprisingly not really, it was running absolutely fine before anyway. Throttle response has been improved slightly, particularly from idle, and also the ignition leads for cylinder 2 and cylinder 3 were the wrong way round on the old coil, but now I've put them back how they should be it's made no difference to how it runs which I thought was odd. I also forgot to put high temperature grease on the threads, so I'll be amending that today

 

[sixerj]

Somehow missed your thread, great to see your enthusiasm and enjoying the A2

I’m pretty close to you in Abbots if you ever need an A2 visit / stick her on VCDS or the Audi ODIS software

The latter can be pretty good for guided fault finding

I can also vouch for B&H but know how it is with student funds as have two that have finished Uni, this and last year


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[GingerSumer2003]

Thanks for the offer! It's nice to know there are other somewhat local owners. The first A2 I went to look at was pretty much in Abbots, I was set on buying that car (2002/3 silver SE, ~72k miles (the same as my first car), £2200) but the following day I was waiting for the insurance company to ring me back with quotes happened to be the day it sold. But at least now I've got a nicer interior

 

[dj_efk]

Update #2:
.... and finally got my Lanoguard package so can tend to the rear axle soon.

I too missed this thread until now - I'd be interested in your thoughts on Lanoguard once done - the facebook before / after pictures look totally fake to me and if it wasn't for the fact that I've heard of the brand in the pre-social media era I would have dismissed it as just another scam product - which most ads on FB seem to be for.

 

[GingerSumer2003]

I too missed this thread until now - I'd be interested in your thoughts on Lanoguard once done - the facebook before / after pictures look totally fake to me and if it wasn't for the fact that I've heard of the brand in the pre-social media era I would have dismissed it as just another scam product - which most ads on FB seem to be for.

I'm only on board with it at present (haven't used it yet) because 3 years ago I was looking at getting a mk2 MX-5, and one particular eBay seller was very transparent about what they used on the cars they sold (they're an MX-5 specialist) and on any car they thought was worth saving, i.e. not drifting or scrapping, they used Lanoguard based on their experiences with it on boats in the past. The before and after pics on the MX-5 listings were much more plausible than Lanoguard's own ones, but still there is a tremendous improvement. I just hope it can do the same for my rear axle.

 

[sixerj]

The other product to consider is possibly Dinitrol ML which is a cavity protection and also ML4941 which comes in black and I think clear (ish) brown

Dinitrol is used by the Porsche restorers I know and they supply German vehicle factory type products as well as post manufacture. If you have ever see say a Mercedes engine or other German factory alloy components with a semi hard solid yellow / brown protection wax its likely to be a Dinitrol type protection product

Available in spray, as well as schutz type cans

Vehicle Rustproofing Kits - DINITROL® Direct Official UK Site

If you are familar with purchasing DINITROL D.I.Y. Vehicle Rustproofing Kits and performing the treatment application you may wish to click on the 'Buy' button...

www.dinitroldirect.com

I've used both of the above products on my Mercedes Sprinter and seems pretty good stuff / applied a couple of years ago. Gets everywhere if not careful (was using compressor and Schultz cans) and goes a long way, much further than I thought to be honest

Bought mine from here

Industry Leading Windscreen Repair, Replacement and Rust Proofing products

Buy Esprit, Sensor Tack Windscreen Repair Equipment online. Buy Dinitrol rust prevention and rust treatment from Rejel. Free delivery for orders over £70. Rust proofing kits available for protecting vehicles of all sizes.

rejel.com

 

[GingerSumer2003]

Update #3:

September 3rd has come, and the timing belt has now been done, along with a coolant flush and aux belt (thankfully this garage didn't cut corners, I was also pleasantly surprised that mine is not the first A2 they've had in).

I have of course tested it out over the whole rpm range, and am really impressed with the high rpm performance considering the small displacement (feels quicker than my mum's 1.8 i-vtec civic though the official 0-60 time for that car is like 8.6s, compared to the 1.4 A2 time of 12s).

I also asked for a clutch fluid change, which has much improved the pedal feel, however they advised me the knocking I've spoken about throughout my ownership is related to the front suspension top mounts.
I can't believe that a 62,000 mile sealed top mount has failed, even if it is 23 years old, much less how its failure would make such a clacky, tappy noise over broken surfaces, and how I wouldn't be able to feel that slop through the steering.

Thankfully some other forum members have offered some further insight on the subject, and a febi ARB bush kit is now on the way, along with a fuel filter, as I suspect that to be 23 years old, which isn't great. In addition to that, a gearbox oil change will be done before this month is out as well.

Once this is all done, and I've done the rust treating, the mechanical side of the car will be entirely sorted, ready for the daily commute to uni for the next 6-8 months (timetable isn't finalised yet).

On the cosmetic side of things, I've still got a leather sport wheel to fit, which I can't do until I get the radio code (not sure if an eBay service is trustworthy), still need to polish the car, I still need to fabric clean the interior, and I've got A2OC stickers and other small bits to put on the car that I just haven't got round to yet, but we're getting there - the list is MUCH shorter than it was!

I also fitted some @Proximo jacking point adapters yesterday, and while the A2 was having the cam belt kit done this morning, I changed the oil on the Polo, and only made a small mess on the driveway (I do miss the familiarity of that car... I suppose you only ever get one first car).

 

[PlasticMac]

Update #3:

September 3rd has come, and the timing belt has now been done, along with a coolant flush and aux belt (thankfully this garage didn't cut corners, I was also pleasantly surprised that mine is not the first A2 they've had in).

I have of course tested it out over the whole rpm range, and am really impressed with the high rpm performance considering the small displacement (feels quicker than my mum's 1.8 i-vtec civic though the official 0-60 time for that car is like 8.6s, compared to the 1.4 A2 time of 12s).

I also asked for a clutch fluid change, which has much improved the pedal feel, however they advised me the knocking I've spoken about throughout my ownership is related to the front suspension top mounts.
I can't believe that a 62,000 mile sealed top mount has failed, even if it is 23 years old, much less how its failure would make such a clacky, tappy noise over broken surfaces, and how I wouldn't be able to feel that slop through the steering.

Thankfully some other forum members have offered some further insight on the subject, and a febi ARB bush kit is now on the way, along with a fuel filter, as I suspect that to be 23 years old, which isn't great. In addition to that, a gearbox oil change will be done before this month is out as well.

Once this is all done, and I've done the rust treating, the mechanical side of the car will be entirely sorted, ready for the daily commute to uni for the next 6-8 months (timetable isn't finalised yet).

On the cosmetic side of things, I've still got a leather sport wheel to fit, which I can't do until I get the radio code (not sure if an eBay service is trustworthy), still need to polish the car, I still need to fabric clean the interior, and I've got A2OC stickers and other small bits to put on the car that I just haven't got round to yet, but we're getting there - the list is MUCH shorter than it was!

I also fitted some @Proximo jacking point adapters yesterday, and while the A2 was having the cam belt kit done this morning, I changed the oil on the Polo, and only made a small mess on the driveway (I do miss the familiarity of that car... I suppose you only ever get one first car).

The ebay radio code providers are fine. No need to worry.
Mac.

 

[GingerSumer2003]

Another quick one - just done the steering wheel and had a look at the ARB bushes (they're definitely gone, the nearside one has basically split in half...), and didn't need a radio code even though the car is from 2001... bit odd, no?

 

[GingerSumer2003]

Also took the opportunity while the weather was mild this morning to clean her up - second time in my ownership, first since actually beginning to drive her about, and my first time trying a clay bar (not sure exactly what it did but lots of stuff came off the bottoms of the doors and the paint is exceedingly smooth post-polish). Currently trying to dry out the interior following a lapse of judgement, I thought the doors were closed before I started rinsing the car... evidently one was not...

 

[simon martyn]

Hugely pleased that you are heading in the right direction. Meyle HD top mounts are not a bad idea, but I would put a shilling on the the A/R bushes ending up being the main culprits.

Confess to being a bit concerned about the other thing!

All the best.

 

[GingerSumer2003]

Another small update; new anti roll bar bushes have been installed and the stupid original plastic collars thrown away. I had a ~180 mile drive up to grandads on Monday, went to the lakes Tuesday - Thursday, did the bushes Friday morning and came back home pretty much straight after; what a difference! Feels every inch the 60k mile car it is now. Only remaining jobs now are gearbox oil and fuel filter, and getting on with rust protection (these I haven't done before and would like guidance/help from dad, also if I spill some fuel on the driveway it also won't be entirely my fault, and times when we can work on a car together are few and far between). But I feel confident that in its current state the car will make it through winter with no issues. Tbh even if I didn't, I've run out of money for the month, again, but good progress has been made I think (at least it has by my standards)

 

[rasA2]

Another small update; new anti roll bar bushes have been installed and the stupid original plastic collars thrown away. I had a ~180 mile drive up to grandads on Monday, went to the lakes Tuesday - Thursday, did the bushes Friday morning and came back home pretty much straight after; what a difference! Feels every inch the 60k mile car it is now. Only remaining jobs now are gearbox oil and fuel filter, and getting on with rust protection (these I haven't done before and would like guidance/help from dad, also if I spill some fuel on the driveway it also won't be entirely my fault, and times when we can work on a car together are few and far between). But I feel confident that in its current state the car will make it through winter with no issues. Tbh even if I didn't, I've run out of money for the month, again, but good progress has been made I think (at least it has by my standards)

Great work I think I need to do mine which ones did you use? Don’t suppose you have a link?

 

[dj_efk]

Awesome work, was it straightforward replacing the bushes? Has it cured any knocks or clunks?

 

[GingerSumer2003]

Great work I think I need to do mine which ones did you use? Don’t suppose you have a link?

I used a febi kit, only a tenner. The bushes are 2mm smaller on the internal diameter, probably for a Polo, to account for the loss of the plastic collar.

https://m.autodoc.co.uk/febi-bilstein/7108330

Awesome work, was it straightforward replacing the bushes? Has it cured any knocks or clunks?

I would say so. The typical roll bar knocking/clunking has been cured, and has also got rid of the creaking over large bumps associated with tired old rubber.

To do the job the car would obviously need to be jacked up and the wheel of the relevant side removed, if it's your first time allow most of a morning. It took me about 2hrs 30min. A variety of screwdrivers is a must, and definitely some small ones, to ram into the cracks of the plastic roll bar collar and snap it off (it's useless anyway), then some larger screwdrivers can help to wiggle the bush and its carrier off of the bar. If you need more space (poking screwdrivers into things so close to the driveshaft boots is a little scary) then turning the steering wheel to full lock moves things around enough to get the bushes off and on.

A liberal amount of lithium based grease (on the inside of the bush and on the anti roll bar) helps with re-installation when trying to locate the bolt holes, and I also marked where the bush carrier sits (screwed it in without the bush in it). I didn't need to remove anything but the wheels to get them off, I've seen other members recommending removing the driveshafts, even the subframe, but it isn't necessary. I would definitely suggest starting with the driver's side bush, as it has much more room to work while you figure out what you need to do (the passenger side is a lot more crammed in comparison, I would imagine because the gearbox is on that side).

 

[dj_efk]

Thanks - very useful info.

 

[MickAli]

Hello!

I've been an A2OC member for a little while now, and have owned an example since the start of June this year, so thought I should introduce myself. My name is Niv, I'm 21 and live in Bushey (just outside Watford), heading into my final year of studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hertfordshire. Annoyingly, I've only had use of my car since a fortnight ago, due to the car sitting almost 200 miles away on my grandad's driveway, waiting for my brother to turn 17 so he could 'inherit' my mk4 Polo 1.2 (which has been a superb first car).

My A2 is a Y-reg, 2001 (though wasn't sold until 2003) 'standard' 1.4 petrol model in Pine Green Pearl effect, with cream satellite cloth interior. It had about 61,150 miles on the clock when I bought it, currently about 700 miles more. It's got the standard radio, not sure which one (probably chorus?), the electronic climate control (which works fabulously), and I've fitted a matching beige retractable parcel shelf from eBay.

Maintenance wise, I changed the oil and filter, air filter and cabin filter about 3 weeks after I bought the car and found the time to make the trip to grandad's and have a proper look at what I'd bought. Upon my first test drive, some clunking noises made themselves heard, and a small twinge through the steering when straightening up from the left, and some general old rubber creaking. After fitting a new battery, the steering was fixed by replacing an old and very stiff passenger side drop link (the drivers side was left as it appeared to be new, but when viewed from below turned out to be just as old and stiff - I should have done the pair anyway...). The creaking was mitigated with a liberal amount of silicone spray, the only thing that remains is the general corrosion to the steel parts of the underbody components (though dad seems confident a wire brush and a big pot of hammerite will fix that), and the clunking noises. It sounds to me like the anti roll bar is slopping around over busy surfaces at lower speeds (it sounds appalling at 20mph over a cobbled road) so most likely 23 year old rubber bushes falling apart. Oh, and the fuel door actuator has stopped actuating, but that's not a huge concern for now.

Other than this, the A2 is a fantastic car to drive. I didn't expect the engine to sound so old school in the higher rpm, and overtaking power is so much better than it was in the Polo, generally better executed interior space (though I had no complaints with the VW), far better road holding than the looks would suggest and a complete lack of interior noise at speed. In short, it's the perfect car for me.

Last week was the family summer holiday, around Great Yarmouth/Lowestoft, totalling about 400 miles round trip; more than enough miles to cement this car's place in my heart... right next to that Polo.

I decided to christen her Alice (because alliteration is fun), and I do think there's not much more car it's possible to buy for under £2000 (even though the timing belt is 7 years old).

Hopefully this will be the first post of many, and I'll end up with a sort of digital history file on the forum in years to come!View attachment 126806

Welcome

 

[GingerSumer2003]

Another update; more rambling thoughts than actual progress

I've not been very active on the forum of late, as it turns out the final year of a degree is a lot of work embarrassingly, I still haven't applied my A2OC goodies, as I haven't cleaned the car in a while, as I generally don't see the point of washing a car in winter months other than to get road salt off of the important bits. But given my larger than expected workload, helpfully, my little motor is yet to skip a beat.

The only noises I can identify that shouldn't be there are a squeak from one of the rear seats, one of them has never locked back into place quite right, there's a very small rattle from the drivers window, and there's a peculiar creaking noise coming from nowhere in particular when reversing; other than that I really can't believe how quiet it is considering its construction (as I understand, space frames are largely hollow).

I also didn't expect the AUA to sound as good as it does when engaging in some spirited driving, nor the overtaking power and general handling capability (I was not ready for how little it rolls in bends, I was expecting a similarly floppy experience to a stock Polo).

In short, I'm blown away by the overall ownership experience; it caters both to enthusiasts and those who just want a nice mode of transport, and doesn't particularly feel to me like the 23 year old car mine is.

I've recently had the chance to show it off to some old work friends living in Europe, and they are now considering finding one to buy - even though neither of them actually have a license!

I can understand why though, it's so flexible to so many different styles of living, which is the main reason I bought mine - at a somewhat unclear point in my life, whatever happens next an A2 has it covered. It's taken a while, but I am finally falling for it (wasn't quite sure when I'd bought it).