looking at 2001 s4 tomorrow
#1
looking at 2001 s4 tomorrow
Im looking at buying a 2001 s4 auto tomorrow. The guy says the check engine light is on because of the gas cap sensor? Is there a special light for the gas cap sensor or would it trigger the check engine light?
Also is there anything else I should check on the car?
Also is there anything else I should check on the car?
#2
On my A6 there is no special light for the gas cap. Whatever you do dont buy it until you have found out exactly why that check engine light is on. A check engine light can be anything from a gas cap to a $4,000 engine. In the U.S. you can take it to any autozone or place like that and they will run the code for you for free. If the seller gives you any greef about this please move on there are plenty of quality Audis for sale.
#3
I would take it to a shop to get the car inspected before you buy it. You can never trust any sellers word unless they have receipts or evidence. Listed below are somethings you should look for before buying an Audi S4. I got these info online.
1) if you're over 60k miles, has the timing belt been changed? Records? Was the water pump done at the same time? Full service records are a huge plus! The Audi dealer might pull factory service records for you if you are friendly.
2) coolant should be bright & fresh (and PINK = Audi OEM). Look for any pink sludge accumulated around fittings = signs of leakage. Take off the engine cover & look in the V to check there.
3) Battery may be original, probably needs replace. Check whether cells have been topped up. Usually a good sign as to whether the care has had good care. If you twist off the caps, there are little min/max marks, assuming it is an OEM battery
4) check the diverter valves. There are two of them (round black about 3" diameter). When you start the car and idle you can put your hand on each one to see if they vibrate or are making funny noises. If you find one vibrating, pinch off the vacuum line to it & see if the noise goes away = valve is bad. Also check for boost leaks -- very common if mods have been done. If you find oil in the intercooler, the turbos may be on their way out. Very expensive repair (but an opportunity to drive the price down & upgrade to K04's or whatever).
5) oil leaks. Look around the timing belt cover seals, and along the passenger side and the drivers side of the engine block. timing chain tensioners & valve cover gaskets often leak,
6) check for ECU codes. STFA. Misfires could be bad sparkplugs, but you might find bad coil packs or other issues, especially if the engine has mods. O2 sensors fail over time and will also leave codes behind. Boost leaks will also show up on a code reader.
7) have a look at the oil cap. Is it bright & shiny? These guys want synthetic oil, and if it has not been used you will see dark accumulations on the cap.
8) check to make sure all the warning lights and displays in the guage clusters work. The display panel is notorious for losing pixels, and usually can't be repaired but can only be fixed by a somewhat spendy replacement.
9) stereo. Head units often failed. If it's been replaced, it is probably OK. Also if the speakers rattle on low bass they're probably shot.
Probably other stuff, but that's top of mind. If the car has had good care it can run reliably on the original turbos past 150,000 miles. Mods (and/or abuse) can have a cascading set of problems, and unless you know a lot about the installer should probably be avoided. Best advice is to have a certified Audi tech or someone who works on Audi's to check the car out.
1) if you're over 60k miles, has the timing belt been changed? Records? Was the water pump done at the same time? Full service records are a huge plus! The Audi dealer might pull factory service records for you if you are friendly.
2) coolant should be bright & fresh (and PINK = Audi OEM). Look for any pink sludge accumulated around fittings = signs of leakage. Take off the engine cover & look in the V to check there.
3) Battery may be original, probably needs replace. Check whether cells have been topped up. Usually a good sign as to whether the care has had good care. If you twist off the caps, there are little min/max marks, assuming it is an OEM battery
4) check the diverter valves. There are two of them (round black about 3" diameter). When you start the car and idle you can put your hand on each one to see if they vibrate or are making funny noises. If you find one vibrating, pinch off the vacuum line to it & see if the noise goes away = valve is bad. Also check for boost leaks -- very common if mods have been done. If you find oil in the intercooler, the turbos may be on their way out. Very expensive repair (but an opportunity to drive the price down & upgrade to K04's or whatever).
5) oil leaks. Look around the timing belt cover seals, and along the passenger side and the drivers side of the engine block. timing chain tensioners & valve cover gaskets often leak,
6) check for ECU codes. STFA. Misfires could be bad sparkplugs, but you might find bad coil packs or other issues, especially if the engine has mods. O2 sensors fail over time and will also leave codes behind. Boost leaks will also show up on a code reader.
7) have a look at the oil cap. Is it bright & shiny? These guys want synthetic oil, and if it has not been used you will see dark accumulations on the cap.
8) check to make sure all the warning lights and displays in the guage clusters work. The display panel is notorious for losing pixels, and usually can't be repaired but can only be fixed by a somewhat spendy replacement.
9) stereo. Head units often failed. If it's been replaced, it is probably OK. Also if the speakers rattle on low bass they're probably shot.
Probably other stuff, but that's top of mind. If the car has had good care it can run reliably on the original turbos past 150,000 miles. Mods (and/or abuse) can have a cascading set of problems, and unless you know a lot about the installer should probably be avoided. Best advice is to have a certified Audi tech or someone who works on Audi's to check the car out.
Last edited by xalents23; 10-07-2012 at 12:27 AM.
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