looking to buy a 96 Audi A4
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3
looking to buy a 96 Audi A4
hey guys I'm obviously new here, I have a friend looking to sell his 96 A4 FWD and was thinking of picking it up except for a few things of concern. First off is the cam seal in the front passenger side is leaking. He just did a timing belt recently but not a water pump, I was curious as to how urgent the oil leak from the seal is or if it can wait until the water pump goes and then do it all at once. Also there is a code for EGR flow P0401 I think it was and I'm not to sure how to go about diagnosing it if I buy it. Then there is a coolant leak that appears to be coming from the switch/sensor in the radiator by the oil filter and a power steering fluid leak that appears to be from one of the hoses. He's asking for 1500 for it and I was wondering what you guys thought of that vehicle and if its worth getting myself into this. It drives great and runs great the engine is very quiet and I like the car a lot, just not sure how difficult all this may be.
Last edited by anticosm; Nov 22, 2011 at 10:07 PM. Reason: typo
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,670
From: Binghamton, NY
To be honest the two things that would keep me away are:
1 - it's front drive. If you're getting an Audi, get quattro. It's scripture. So it is written, so it shall be done.
2 - the 12v engine isn't one that I enjoy as much as the 30v or the boosted engines. Not saying it's bad - it'll outlast probably even the 2012 engines. It's just not my personal choice.
Overall though, based on one statement in your post - that he did a timing belt but not a water pump - I'd walk away. They're part of the same job for one, and for another, the timing belt has to come off to change the pump. Why the hell wouldn't he do the pump too? If that omission is an indication of the corner-cutting he does, I wouldn't even want to have it in my driveway. You have to ask yourself what other little tidbits were skipped? Did he change the tensioner and idler? When were the fluids last serviced? Does it have the right oil, power steering fluid, and coolant (the last two of which are proprietary fluids, not off the shelf items at AutoZone)? When the brake/clutch cylinder was low, did he use DOT3, which is the wrong stuff for these cars, despite being right for many others? That thing would likely end up being a nightmare of maintenance issues.
1 - it's front drive. If you're getting an Audi, get quattro. It's scripture. So it is written, so it shall be done.
2 - the 12v engine isn't one that I enjoy as much as the 30v or the boosted engines. Not saying it's bad - it'll outlast probably even the 2012 engines. It's just not my personal choice.
Overall though, based on one statement in your post - that he did a timing belt but not a water pump - I'd walk away. They're part of the same job for one, and for another, the timing belt has to come off to change the pump. Why the hell wouldn't he do the pump too? If that omission is an indication of the corner-cutting he does, I wouldn't even want to have it in my driveway. You have to ask yourself what other little tidbits were skipped? Did he change the tensioner and idler? When were the fluids last serviced? Does it have the right oil, power steering fluid, and coolant (the last two of which are proprietary fluids, not off the shelf items at AutoZone)? When the brake/clutch cylinder was low, did he use DOT3, which is the wrong stuff for these cars, despite being right for many others? That thing would likely end up being a nightmare of maintenance issues.
Last edited by ImTheDevil; Nov 22, 2011 at 10:37 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,670
From: Binghamton, NY
Lol yeah, until it fails. Then he's looking at duplicating the labor to change it if it leaks. Or to replace the engine if the bearing grenades (the pump runs off the timing belt). The main thing with Audi is that you have to be proactive. Treat it like a Chevy and you'll ruin it, quickly and to the tune of a lot of money. A LOT.