I changed the exhaust on it once

The S i fiddle with. The M3 even has 2 sump plugs and no dip stick. f@#kers.

Edit to say as a young un i've done springs, clutch, arb, engine, back axle, petrol tank, calipers, camshaft, head gasket, gearbox....

Coilovers on the S next job.. June

 

An empathy for 'mechanical things' is a great benefit if one is to enjoy tinkering and repairing successfully IMHO.

The internet has proved an invaluable learning resource for me insofar as the A8 is concerned, and indeed, my Chevy Astro. I am pretty sure I could've worked-out how to do most of the tasks I have undertaken, but it would've taken longer and may well have resulted in learning by my mistakes...

Possessing the right tools is a major factor too and I suspect this is where many home mechanics are left wanting; I have a considerable stock of good tools bought by me and acquired from my late polymath father. Alas some 'tools' are becoming beyond he reach of most DIYers; as an example the software to diagnose and service a Smart car (or a contemporary Mercedes) is pretty much out of the question...

... then again, where there's a hacker, there's a way and perhaps it's merely us all becoming accustomed to a laptop being a part of the home mechanic's toolkit as the adjustable spanner is!

 

Theres an industry of that over at M3CUTTERS

to change a battery you need to 'tell' the car as it adjusts its charging over time

To swap a seat? Same deal. Folding mirrors? Coding..

Tiresome but easily swerved by £20 software and a cable.

 

An August update on the A8.

A couple of days ago the Check Engine Light illuminated. Was there ever a more non-specific indicator?

Anyhoo, I connected the laptop with VCDS and a couple of error codes were thrown-up, with the message that 'Secondary Airflow to Bank 1 Low' and 'Secondary Airflow to Bank 2 Low'.

A quick look on the superb A8Forum suggested either a non-working air pump inside the air filter box, damaged vacuum lines and/or vacuum system solenoid. A linked thread also suggested investigation of the variable intake manifold system and the vacuum actuators - of which the A8 has two.

I pulled the engine vanity plastics and had a poke around; the lines looked fine but one of the vacuum actuators was broken; a clip on the bellows had cracked, causing the flexible component to collapse.

Audi only supply the complete actuator assembly, which costs c. £160 plus VAT.

A poster on the excellent A8 Forum suggested the vacuum actuator was a standard part used elsewhere; sure enough, with a few minutes Googling and reading, the Hella part is used in the cruise control mechanism of a 'Classic' Range.

I found a supplier and the part was purchased for £15.99, including postage.

Once I had the part, 15 minutes with a 13mm spanner and long-nose pliers and it was fitted. A reset with VCDS and the CEL was cleared and no more issues. And the car seems to be noticeably quicker than I remember.

Whilst this problem was nothing more than a very small inconvenience, it was immensely gratifying to be able to repair.

Apart from this minor task, the only other 'work' on the car has been to de-dabge it; the front grille Quattro badge and boot lid model identifier, engine size and Quattro badge are now in the bin.

The AC is not blowing as cold as it ought, so I will sort this out anon.