Hello all!

Got a big road trip driving from Philadelphia, PA to St. Louis, MO and back the weekend of July 23rd. Would sincerely appreciate any feedback or recommendations on making it a smooth and safe trip.

I've got a 2002 A4 1.8T 5-speed and just hit 101,000 miles. As of today I've had new oil pump and coolant flush at 85,000. New coils and spark plugs at 95,000. Air filters, oil and oil filter changed over weekend.

***Did notice my coolant indicator sporadically turning on (turns off with engine restart) post top off. Temps are normal as is levels topped off and no leaks. Could this be a faulty sensor???

Going to be taking it in for the recall and fixes to my sunroof drains and damage to the headliners after the trip.

For the most part I do believe my water pump and timing belt to be in OK condition but will be needing a replacement in the near future. Does it need to be done every 60K or 110K??? I got the car @ 72K, how can I tell if it's already been done??? I've read here in the forum to look at replacing the fuel filter and search for possible defect/recalls but had no luck. Also read that it's wise to replace fuel pump also around 100K but cashflow is extremely restricted till after Aug 1st to dump $600-$1500 for all this.

Any suggestions as to a cost effective modification to get me there and back until I can take care of the $erious replacements/services???

Sincerely appreciate!!!

 

Further research has led me to transmission servicing (filter and fluid change) and a possible differential fluid change...
-stupid question, but do manuals have tranny filters??? All tranny shops only mention filter changes with auto and not manual.

So many things, it's hard to determine where to start, what to do and what not to. Also if dumping so much is worth it or just driving it till the wheels fall off and save the couple $1000 for a new car...

 

my timing belt was done around 91k, the clutch wont last long past 130k, mine litteraly imploded at 136k. timing belts should be replaced around the 70k mark because if your driving while it breaks your in serious, serious trouble. before a long road trip i woud def change out all fluids and filters, although i dont think audis have fuel fiters (i went to napa to order one and they told me they dont have them/do not exist). i dont think that manuals have tranny fiters but im positive that the cvt's do and they need replacing roughly every 60k. check tire pressure, oil pressure, new oil and filter, new tranny fluid, new air filter and cabin air filter, and run a systems check (the wrench button behind steering wheel) ever few hundred miles just to make sure everything is running tip top. hope this helps you out, let me know if you have any other questions or concerns

 

It's a great help! After this post being viewed 70 times and no reply I was starting to wonder.

All fluids have been checked and topped off with exception to tranny fluid change scheduled in a few days.

How much was it for your TB? I assume you also had the water pump changed as well. I noticed that http://www.raimotorsport.com/R-A-I-M...rai18tbkit.htm has all kinds of extras such as; Thermostats, seals, etc. Are those significant to replace also or will I notice a huge difference?

I am going to be replacing my Coolant Temp Sensor this weekend myself b/c it keeps beeping randomly while the coolant reservoir is full and car is not overheating.

 

I always take advantage of a long road trip to dump a couple bottle of fuel injector cleaner in the tank. I'm running MI-NY twice and MI-FL once in the next two months, with 170k already on my A6. I replace transmission and differential fluid every 60k and flush/replace brake fluid every 2-3 years (manual calls for 2 years). Rotate your tires and change your oil/filter. A new air filter may help the gas mileage. And make sure your tires are inflated 2-3 psi over normal for the highway speeds -- it reduces flex and heat build up.

Most everyone recommends a timing belt (including water pump and all tensioners) around 80-90k. You may save a few bucks by going longer, but if it fails or slips your pistons mash your valves.

 

1. If the coolant is beeping and saying it is low, that is the sensor on the bottom of the coolant bottle, not the engine temperature sensor.

2. There is no real way to tell if the timing belt has been done. We recommend it after 70k. However, if the person before you took it to the dealership you can find out.

3. Instead of doing the fuel pump, I would do the filter. It is not uncommon that a bad filter will cause the pump to fail.

Manual transmissions do not have a filter. I would drive the car. When things arise, fix them in a timely matter, and the car will be good back to you.

There is no set time for the clutch by any means. I do agree about the timing belt, but Audis do have fuel filters, they are not immune to debris.

We charge $800 here for the 1.8T timing belt here including parts. The thermostat option applies to Volkswagens mostly. I would do the basic kit, as this covers people 90% of the time.

Like I said, if the light is for the fluid level being low, that has nothing to do with the CTS, that is simply the sensor in the coolant bottle. The CTS is not a bad maintenance part to change, however.

 

@RAI

Greatly appreciate the help! I topped off the coolant reservoir and the indicator stopped.

I unfortunately don't have a lift, jack stands etc and cannot do the fluid changes on the tranny or rear diff, as well as the fuel filter. I'm not happy about having to pay almost $90 each for the fluids.

I'm in a bit of a financial dilemma until the 1st of Aug and have to make a decision to either:

A. Get the fluids changed (tranny / rear diff)
B. Fuel Filter

If you guys had to choose, which would you go with???

 

I would go with fuel filter. I would also be afraid of the timing belt.

 

Thinking more about this... I would seriously consider renting a car if i was you based on the timing belt. See if a toyota dealership around you does rentals. They have great rates, and usually no mileage or state restrictions.

 

Appreciate the advice shane. The TB is a very high priority right now and looking at setting up an appt after Aug 1st. Unfortunately as far as time/money is concerned, I cannot make this happen before the trip.

I've looked into driving down to RAI and getting it taken care of as soon as I get back. Unfortunately I cannot rent a car because I need to renew my plates and get a safety/emissions test done on my B6 before they expire the end of this month.