New guy

[LateFan]

Thanks!

We have a slight conflict...as it gets warm and the trails dry out, it's BIKE SEASON! How will we finish all these projects?!

[rcsoundn1]

Keep up the good work, great to see a family project. Adds true value to any car.

[LateFan]

At least his E30 is running well now - we need it! My "new", "reliable" 2001 Audi A4 1.8 spun its rod bearings 300 miles from home. Expensive trip. I'll have to swap in a good used long block - it's trashed the crank. I fear the 1.8 sludge monster has caught up with me, even with regular synthetic oil changes.

VW replaced a lot of engines in these, but that was 10 years ago - too late now.

[2mAn]

Time for a TDI crank!

[LateFan]

I'm getting reports that the truck driver loading it put a rod through the block. Puddle of oil. Nice. Coming back with a winch flatbed, will cost me more.

Nobody's fault really, the mechanic there thought it would be drivable to get onto a truck.

[Cletonius]

I'm getting reports that the truck driver loading it put a rod through the block. Puddle of oil. Nice. Coming back with a winch flatbed, will cost me more.

Nobody's fault really, the mechanic there thought it would be drivable to get onto a truck.

Sounds like the mechanic's fault to me. Why anyone would run an engine with spun bearings is a mystery.

[LateFan]

Yeah, I agree, but he started it up once we towed it back there to verify rod bearings, then pulled it the 15 feet into his shop every night while we continued the trip in a rental car. Kept it for a week no charge, gave me engine source advice. In the parking lot, it just knocked and rattled - I assume the truck driver on a Sunday revved it up to climb the ramps, and boom.

I'm told neither Indy shops nor dealers will rebuild these - they put in used or order a new one from Audi. Worth more than the car.

Since I'm buying a used long block, I'm just shaking my head at this point. Core charge is just for the alum apparently.

My plan is all new seals, timing belt & tensioner, timing chain tensioner, clutch, all the pressure & temp sensors, oil pump / chain / pickup tube, and scrub the hell out of the pan etc. They make a big oil filter to add volume (to 3.7 qts), and I'll just change it more often. 180 hp out of 110 ci plus 5000 mi oil changes apparently isn't working. 130,000 miles, what a waste.

[LateFan]

New plugs rotor cap went in this weekend. Need to install the rebuilt SI board. He likes it better without the wheel caps. He uses his bike a lot and we had an extra old rack from a Volvo 240.





Big ticket goals we can't afford right now…..which to choose, which to choose…

5 speed swap vs wheels vs re-cover sport seats vs used rusty euro bumps. Might have to just stay like this for a while.

[K20RI_211]

Love this car. Swap would be my vote!

[LateFan]

Some used bits came from Germany…..

[shameson]

Oh man, can never go wrong with alpinas, I love the cap-less look of them

[LateFan]

They're not real ones BTW….I forgot to mention that…OZ / King replicas.

[LateFan]

New front calipers

[KIRIEIW]

Keep up the work and continue updating the thread!

[abefroman]

Car looks great, keep it up. Your son is very lucky.