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Next Time I Have a Whinge About Working On K Bikes... Fri Jul 16, 2021 11:16 pm
Two Wheels Better
Moderator
I've been catching the scent of coolant/antifreeze for a while now in my Audi A4 B8 2 litre TFSI ZF Quattro This n That. I could never see the leak, it seemed to dry up before evidence was spotted. The only thing I noticed was that the inner windscreen had a haze on it that Windex and paper towels couldn't entirely eliminate. Then came the low overflow tank needing a top up every week or so.
In we go, torch in teeth, searching for evidence. Bloody (plastic) waterpump housing has sprung a leak and the trail is a good one right from the drive gear end - these things are driven off the balance shaft mid-engine by a short toothed Gilmer belt. It sits square under the (plastic) intake manifold below the throttle body, behind a wiring loom, beneath several hoses, half way back from the grille. A T30 with extensions is your friend. Four cut knuckles later I have the new (aluminium) pump in, but not before having to remove it three times for leaks. The first time it was a spring clip on one of the main lower hoses. No clamps for Audi! Nope, spring clips and plastic guide channels. The second time was for a 20mm o-ring on the (plastic) joiner 'tween the oil cooler and waterpump body, which had twisted - didn't I discover that after putting everything back together, including the wiring loom connectors and filling it with spendy pink Zerex G40. Lastly it was because I'd got smart and decided to fill everything and look for leaks BEFORE re-wiring, placing the alu manifold reinforcement bracket back in, and etc. But I'd left the (plastic) drive gear cover off and lo and behold it sits under a (plastic) three way hose connector. Oh, the joy. It took me six or seven hours. The Goob Chewb greasy mechanic says he can do it in 20 minutes. I watched him for 26 minutes. I changed the engine oil and filter in celebration.
This arvo as the sun came out from behind the clouds, I watched the cooling fans cycle through and come on twice, the temp needle sat halfway up the dial, and the pressurised overflow tank stayed level, halfway between min & max. So I went for a drive to the shops for some grog. Works as intended and I learnt a few things.
I prefer working on K bikes. They're mostly logical. Plastic is used when necessary. Things are generally reachable.
This is the first car I've owned in years. I sold a Toyota ute back in early '07 before returning to OZ from the US. This Audi has been to the dealer exactly once. I attempt to do all the maintenance myself. The info is out there, and there are good scanners for reading and clearing codes.
Discuss your favourite four wheel contraption. Kudos to those who still don't own a cage.
In we go, torch in teeth, searching for evidence. Bloody (plastic) waterpump housing has sprung a leak and the trail is a good one right from the drive gear end - these things are driven off the balance shaft mid-engine by a short toothed Gilmer belt. It sits square under the (plastic) intake manifold below the throttle body, behind a wiring loom, beneath several hoses, half way back from the grille. A T30 with extensions is your friend. Four cut knuckles later I have the new (aluminium) pump in, but not before having to remove it three times for leaks. The first time it was a spring clip on one of the main lower hoses. No clamps for Audi! Nope, spring clips and plastic guide channels. The second time was for a 20mm o-ring on the (plastic) joiner 'tween the oil cooler and waterpump body, which had twisted - didn't I discover that after putting everything back together, including the wiring loom connectors and filling it with spendy pink Zerex G40. Lastly it was because I'd got smart and decided to fill everything and look for leaks BEFORE re-wiring, placing the alu manifold reinforcement bracket back in, and etc. But I'd left the (plastic) drive gear cover off and lo and behold it sits under a (plastic) three way hose connector. Oh, the joy. It took me six or seven hours. The Goob Chewb greasy mechanic says he can do it in 20 minutes. I watched him for 26 minutes. I changed the engine oil and filter in celebration.
This arvo as the sun came out from behind the clouds, I watched the cooling fans cycle through and come on twice, the temp needle sat halfway up the dial, and the pressurised overflow tank stayed level, halfway between min & max. So I went for a drive to the shops for some grog. Works as intended and I learnt a few things.
I prefer working on K bikes. They're mostly logical. Plastic is used when necessary. Things are generally reachable.
This is the first car I've owned in years. I sold a Toyota ute back in early '07 before returning to OZ from the US. This Audi has been to the dealer exactly once. I attempt to do all the maintenance myself. The info is out there, and there are good scanners for reading and clearing codes.
Discuss your favourite four wheel contraption. Kudos to those who still don't own a cage.
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"How many cars did we pass today?" "ALL of them."
1977 R75/7-100, '93 K11/K12 Big Block, '93 K1100RS, '95 R100 Mystic, '96 K1100RS, 2 x '98 K1200RS, '06 K1200R & '09 K1300GT
