I just bought a 1999 A6 Quattro 2.8L with 95000 miles on it. I have had to put quite a bit of money into it already. I fixed a transmission leak, replaced the battery (and had to have the dealer reset the "readyness codes" and "throttle adaptation"), replaced a tweeter, replaced the engine and cabin air filters, changed the oil...

After all this, I just found out that the 90k mile service was never done. It was inspected by the dealer and recomended that the water pump and timing belt stuff be done but they declined. My question is, what needs to be done at 90k besides timing belt and water pump... Thermastat? Serpentine belt? Spark plugs? Tensioner assembly / damper? I have even heard some recomend the cam gaskets be replaced? What do I really need done for best reliabilty in the future?

Also, my battery light keeps coming on. I bought one of those little volt meter things from walmart and it is reading anywhere from 11.5 to (MAX) 13.9... I already tried replacing the battery. Alternator going dead? I was told they almost never die on Audis.

Thanks guys,
Will

 

With the timing belt and the waterpump, the thermostat and serpentine belt should be done as they are all right in the water pump area. You should also replace the timing belt tensioner and the tensioner and idler rollers. The cam adjuster gaskets should only be replaced when they are leaking. I dont think there is enuf repeat labor to consider doing them with the timing belt. As for the battery light, are you getting 11.5 v with the car running. Because that is way low.

 

Yeah, last night I was getting anywhere between 11.5 and 12.7 while the car was running (between 30-60mph...). At redlights, it would sometimes climb to 12-something, but while the car was driving it stayed in the 11 range. Alternator?

 

Yeah...on my 99 A6 2.8L (83000) Avant my "generator" light went one. And i checked my volt meter on the dash...and it was reading around the 12 range. Prior to the "generator" light goin on it was around the 14 range or just hovered alil bit above it. Took it in, turns out alternator was dying/dead. got it fixed and back to normal (14)....i got it done for about 600 bux...but then again it wasnt a dealer. Hope that helps.