My trusty b5 has started making a rattling noise from the general direction of the engine. The local mechanic thinks it's a big end and he could well be right. But she's only racked up 460,000 km. Is nothing built to last these days?
Anyway, the question is what to do about her? Probably not worth pulling the engine out and replacing the bearings. A donor engine might be a better option, but either would be beyond my abilities these days.
I'd be sad to see her go. She's top of the range with full leather, sunroof and a pretty fancy set of factory wheels. And she's in pretty good nick inside and out if you ignore the death rattle from the motor. She has been given a number of upgrades over the years such as an ATP GTRS turbo and hi-flo inlet, 3" turbo-back exhaust tapering to a stock muffler, 480cc injectors and Unitronic fuelling, Snow methanol/water injection and Apikol sidemount. Clutch (single plate) was a St 2 or 3 something or other. I'd have to look up the details, but it handled the power exceptionally well without being too heavy on the pedal. Gearbox perfect. She was fitted with Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks but these were destroyed by multiple potholes on our local roads during the 2021-22 rains, so replaced with the original factory sports suspension. A8 front discs with TT calipers and Red Stuff pads. Bodywork is neat and even the Conti tyres have lots of life left. There is a little oil leaking from the motor, and she blows a bit of smoke occasionally. Even with 10W60 synthetic, she gets through a bit of oil these days.
Would this be of interest to anyone? She was pretty quick in her day, and the body is still tight. She spent most of her life on the highway, commuting 100 kms each way to work or 50,000 per year. Brake pads last for ever. She was amazingly economical with the petrol - I often recorded 7 litres (or better) per 100 km on the highway or a remarkable 40 mpg. Could be a good buy for someone who is handy with the spanners and has the facilities to lift out a motor.
PM or email me if you want to know more.
Anyway, the question is what to do about her? Probably not worth pulling the engine out and replacing the bearings. A donor engine might be a better option, but either would be beyond my abilities these days.
I'd be sad to see her go. She's top of the range with full leather, sunroof and a pretty fancy set of factory wheels. And she's in pretty good nick inside and out if you ignore the death rattle from the motor. She has been given a number of upgrades over the years such as an ATP GTRS turbo and hi-flo inlet, 3" turbo-back exhaust tapering to a stock muffler, 480cc injectors and Unitronic fuelling, Snow methanol/water injection and Apikol sidemount. Clutch (single plate) was a St 2 or 3 something or other. I'd have to look up the details, but it handled the power exceptionally well without being too heavy on the pedal. Gearbox perfect. She was fitted with Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks but these were destroyed by multiple potholes on our local roads during the 2021-22 rains, so replaced with the original factory sports suspension. A8 front discs with TT calipers and Red Stuff pads. Bodywork is neat and even the Conti tyres have lots of life left. There is a little oil leaking from the motor, and she blows a bit of smoke occasionally. Even with 10W60 synthetic, she gets through a bit of oil these days.
Would this be of interest to anyone? She was pretty quick in her day, and the body is still tight. She spent most of her life on the highway, commuting 100 kms each way to work or 50,000 per year. Brake pads last for ever. She was amazingly economical with the petrol - I often recorded 7 litres (or better) per 100 km on the highway or a remarkable 40 mpg. Could be a good buy for someone who is handy with the spanners and has the facilities to lift out a motor.
PM or email me if you want to know more.