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I thought I would change the pollen filter, so went to open the bonnet and the grill release mechanism would not work. I tried a few times and still no joy.
So whilst pulling the release catch I gently pushed the bonnet up and down. It did the trick and the bonnet opened. I had look at the bonnet mechanism and it was seized. A bit of silicon oil and it soon started to work properly.
So keep those mechanisms oiled.
Also a big issue with the 3B Passat and Golf 4. They can often go two years without being opened and I have lost count of the number of Golf 4’s and Passat 3B’s where I haven’t been able to open the bonnet without spending and hour or more exercising the lock and safety catch with releasing spray and it is chargeable time.
Unbelievable, two years !Quote:
Originally Posted by Crasher
Those people deserve to break down :p
What about screen wash, in winter I sometimes have to fill it once a week!
I know, it defies comment. It confuses me that they pass the MOT but they must do although the bonnet should be opened at the MOT. I have seen this on cars that have not yet had an MOT so a corroded catch at less than three years old.
:biglaugh: As a positive if the car can go 2 years without needing to tinker with anything under the bonnet it must be a quality product.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigCol
Somebody must never use screen wash. I defy any car to go two years without needing an oil top up!!!! unless it's doing 1 mile a day! :aargh4:Quote:
Originally Posted by kurtas2006
Even simple checks.
I regularly see cars go two years or more without a top up of oil. We try to discourage people to not use the 2 year Longlife interval but customers like it as it costs less in the short term. It is nothing unusual to have a car come in with the service warning saying “service now”, the oil level warning light on, the screen wash light on, the bonnet catch rusted in the safety catch position and hardly any oil in the sump. You may not be able to comprehend such mechanical neglect but most people do not give a toss.
And those same people sell their sludged up 1.8t's no doubt to people off here who do give a toss but sadly inherit the problem.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crasher
Shocking stuff.
Ohh yes, very much so. I despair of telling people they have a serious problem such as oil pressure loss and they say “I am going to flog it”, basically to anyone they can unload it onto-private or trade. A dreadful attitude but one that is very prevalent.
Hold on.
No opening of the bonnet at all in two years?!
My washer bottle is empty after four vigorous squirts (steady!) How is this even possible?
nevermind 2 years, i dont think neither mine, nor the missus' car has gone 2 weeks without the bonnet being opened for something.
reminds me of my friend who ran a citroen saxo around with no oil, he only realised this when i explained that 'pretty' symbol meant low oil :Blush2:
On my old car I used to check the oil etc on a regular basis but it never needed topping up in the 9 years I had the car. Also the screen wash never needed topping up (used to leave it for the service as it was always more than half full). The only thing I ever topped up was the engine coolant and that was done less than half a dozen times.Quote:
Originally Posted by mycarsavw
I know of someone who ran his car with no engine oil in it. He genuinely never what engine was or where it went. He thought when you filled the car with petrol that was it :Blush:
Bet that is what you say to all the girls ?!Quote:
Originally Posted by mycarsavw
As I typed it, I could see you, sat there, furiously tapping away on the keyboard :pQuote:
Originally Posted by BigCol
It's not emptying it, it is how you empty it that is important. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by mycarsavw
Better still get someone else to do it.
Why spend money on an Audi if you don't give a ****. I bought the car for it's build, engineering and quality. Therefore I'll maintain it for years. Some people don't deserve an Audi :zx11: :biglaugh:Quote:
Originally Posted by Crasher
Oh yes, I agree with that one... :beerchug:Quote:
Originally Posted by BigCol
Because they drive without any water in the bottle, they simply cannot be bothered to fill it up.
I'd get sick of the beep for a start telling me to fill it up!!!
Me too, that "you're going to die" beep scares the poop out of me all the time. Imagine that every time you start up and then every 10-20 mins of your drive - I'd be a dribbling wreck by the end of each journey.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marco34
Crasher - what sort of car was this - old or new?
It wasn’t one car, it is a common problem, I see it all the time.
One example of how people’s minds work, or don’t. A customer brings in a car with a misfire or other running problem and when I get in the car, the low fuel warning beeps and the fuel gauge doesn’t move. How do they expect me to work on it or test drive it?
They are probably hoping you will fill it up for them.. that's how their minds work... :aargh4:Quote:
Originally Posted by Crasher
I do but I add the time it takes to the job and make a point of telling them.
Most car users have become real lazy about checking oil etc, mainly because modern engine just don't burn any.
My first couple of cars (Austin 1300 and Mini) used to burn about a pint a month about 300 to 400 miles and that was a good engine ;)
The saying used to go spend a minute under the bonnet once a week or you'll spend all weekend fixing;):D
PS I had to unsieze my catch when I bought my audi too:mad:
You obviously don't have a 2.0 TDi then Rob ;);)Quote:
Originally Posted by onzarob
Paul :biglaugh:
Can't believe it! I thought the catch was getting a bit stiff so bought some oil today. Got home and can't open the bonnet at all. Any ideas how to un-seize the catch please?
Thanks
It is a sketch, releasing spray directed as best you can and keep working it. Who has been servicing it?
Try pulling the bonnet release tab in the front grill as much as you can and gently push the bonnet up and down. That is what I did to get it to open, be careful not to push too hard and cause panel damage. Once it is open spray it well and work it for a while to free it up.Quote:
Originally Posted by n_c
Guys is this yet more evidence of Audi cutting costs and using cheap materials. my 1996 a4 quattro I had for 11 years never had any probs with catches or plastic items breaking off. I now have a 3 year old a3 that has plastic hinge have broken off and alloy wheel corrosion, both replaced under warranty, and a 4 year old A4 avant quattro that has a glove box hinge that broke a year ago . I called audi £100 for the replacement but you have to diy the job or we will charge another £100. I fixed it with a metal bracket - works perfect. I love Audi but quality not what it was at least in certain areas and being a petrol head i am always look after both of them and well serviced. Not sure if everyone having similiar probs but various websites indicate my experience is not an isolated case.
Thanks guys. Just been down to Autovolks, our independent VW-Audi garage in Carlisle and they broke in for me and put some grease on it. :approve:
They did the cam belts for me a few weeks ago but prior to that it has been serviced by various official Audi dealers around the country. I only bought the car a couple of months ago. The hinges on the doors are covered in grease (presumably done by the Audi dealers) but the bonnet catch was very dry. I'll keep an eye on it.
It isn’t just VAG who are cutting costs and paying the price, all manufactures are, it is a matter of cut costs or die!
I am so looking forward to the new cheap to build Golf 6, that should be real fun in three to four years time.
Yep you may well be correct and whilst I accept Audi set the standard in a host of areas inside the car, hence why I have two of them, I wonder how the 5 & 7 year warranty brigade in Kia and Hyundai are fairing by giving that level of guarantee. If Audi quality keeps coming down in small areas we will all be looking at these companies as their quality appears to coming up rather rapidly. Either way I still love the brand but poor service at our local Audi centre is a more likely reason to move marques.
dsc4t
I think things will go the same way as GM / Vauxhaul where lots of sytems and functions are combined into a single component.
We 'had' a 1999 Astra 2.0 Diesel for a while. Rear ABS sensor went = new complete hub at £230! Electrical gremlims (car would not start) a few independants could not diagnose or read faults, Vauxhaul themselves couldn't diagnose either as the pump unit incorporated almost all components and sensors and was a sealed unit, quoted about £2,000 for a new pump and could NOT guarantee a fix! = flogged car to a "cars bought for cash" blokey.
I really do hope VW do not go down this route.
Just checked my catch the other day and the silicon oil spray from Lidl has kept it in good functioning order. For the newbies, oil or grease your bonnet catches on a regular basis.