Hi Folks,
New to the Forum, my son just bought a 97 A6 Quattro. It has 177000 miles, but is about the cleanest underside I have seen on a car this age. Here is Vermont, it is rust that seals many otherwise good vehicle's fate. I can handle mechanical repairs, but when you start welding in rot repairs, the game is about up. The car is in decent shape, needs rear brakes, front struts, a tune up and valve cover gaskets and most likely an O2 sensor. The timing belt is another issue. I know it has been replaced at least once, as it is an aftermarket belt. I have heard various numbers for replacement intervals, 90k seems to be what I hear most. If that is in fact true, we are coming up on repacement #2. I have done several timing belts on Subaru's and will investigate this Forum and youtube before proceeding. I have ordered a DVD repair manual. I prefer paper manuals in addition to the DVDs, but can not find one that covers the 97 A6 Quattro. Apparently the Haynes books do not cover the Quattro models.
Well, thats about it for now, mainly wanted to check in and introduce myself. I am sure I will have plenty of questions as I get into the repairs.
OH, a funny story. We drove the car today for the first time to pick my younger daughter up at basketball practice. I went in to gt her, and ended up waiting about ten minutes. We came out, and my Son had been listening to the CD player and fiddling with the various buttons and *****. Went to leave and CLIIIIIICK. dead battery. No problem, plenty of other parents / friends around, and in VT most folks carry jumper cables. I popped the hood and looked around, hmm, no battery. Then a little light clicked on, I think I heard somewhere the battery is under the back seat. I pull here and there on the seat, no go. I look in the trunk, under the trunk mat (found the spare tire) but no battery. Got out the owners manual, and sure enough, under the back seat! Had to unscrew a couple screws to get the seat out. Good thing I carry a Leatherman. I will have to make sure to put a phillips screwdriver in the glove box. Maybe there is already one in with the spare tire, I will check.
Heading up the steep part of the learning curve!
Tim

 

Willkommen to the forums!

congrats on the purchase of the car. I'm sure you will learn to appreciate the Quattro system once the snow starts to fly up there in VT. The best repair manuals available for the Audis are the ones from Bentley Publishers. I'm pretty sure they have paper manuals, in addition to the CD versions. Their website can be a pretty decent resource as well. I've heard some other folks around here swear by the ELSAWIN manuals. You will probably also want to invest in a vag-com (Ross-Tech: Home).

lots of good information in the A6 section. Lots of good people around too.

good luck with the car

have fun

 

Hi,
Thanks for the reply. I have seen the bently manuals on CD, but have not found the paper version yet.
I have looked into the Vag-com, probably a good thing to get, a bit spendy but I can see its worth.
Tim

 

Ya I just talked to Audi parts guy today and he said to order the book on line and he thinks you get both paper and cd versions with you order I'm going to order mine in the next few days.

 

Best really easy task and better do this by me.