Refurbing Audi RS2

[Cottis]

Depending on how many decades you have available time wise, you can try fighting the Audi Tradition website to see if they hold the parts you require. It will require patience though, lots of it.

Good luck with your refurb, nice to see someone spending proper time on sorting all issues.

[ColonialNomad]

So...I had a chat to Dean. He said it's not normally the sort of project he takes on but it'll be a pleasant change to work on something where there isn't a significant time pressure involved. He did baulk a little at some of the non mechanical jobs so it looks like I'll take the car hifi work to a dedicated installer.

I was right about the time estimate being optimistic, he can't fit me in until next Tuesday now and will need the car for at least 2 weeks while he parts arrive. Quattro corner can supply the cv joints, wheel bearings (if needed) and power steering pump. I've also found a potential supplier for second hand interior parts (subject to confirmation) but I've just missed out on the replacement drivers side trim apparently.

Do any of you use vagcat? I checked to see if they had a price and one wasn't available.

http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/au/RS2/1996/41/56/472997/

If that means that the parts aren't available, it looks like I'll have to keep an eye out for an Audi 80 avant being broken unless someone on here can advise on an alternative supplier...?

[ColonialNomad]

cheers, I'll add that suggestion to the list.

[newsh]

Blades should stop in lowest position. Probably a problem with the wiper motor it'self I would think, maybe the relay.. Someone will have experience with this.

[ColonialNomad]

The nozzle definitely moves with the wiper.

Are the front wiper blades supposed to stop once they've reached their lowest position? I'm not clear on what was industry standard in 1995. At the moment, the blades just stop when the wiper control is turned off.

Re: wheel, it definitely sits straight but there is less of a gap to the rear of the car than the front. Seems like it might have taken a hit at some point. I'm surprised that it passed the MOT. I'll PM Poor Boy for availability.

[newsh]

On the rear washer nozzle, the jet should stay still when the wiper moves, if it moves with the wiper the nozzle tube is seized inside the wiper shaft and will need to come out and be cleaned and greased.

If the wheel is back in the arch then it sounds like you may have a bent strut, I'm pretty sure my spare one went with the old avant but PM member poor boy on here, he may still have it. You can bend these struts hitting a pot hole or speed bump hard, I've done it on my coupe.

[ColonialNomad]

What Rs2 have you got?
Just purchased, or owned for long?

It was advertised on Pistonheads and was previously owned by another member on here, Quattro34. Interest in it was so high, I bought it sight unseen for the asking price otherwise I would missed out (...again...I had the silver one imported from NZ based in Plymouth lined up in September but it was sold after I'd already booked train and hotel room.)

Wow, that's quite the list!
Would love to see a few pics sometime if you get the chance

I had photos on my phone but it was stolen on Thursday so will have to take some more later this week.

That's a good list.

2. Could be a bad vacuum connection or a vacuum leak in one of the actuator pipes.

10. Rough idling, yes clean the ISV with WD40 or GT85 (not solvent) Include a boost leak test! Ideally replace all the small bore vac lines under the bonnet with new as they are a source of leaks and poor running. Check the DV is working (vac test the line from the IM to be sure it holds vacuum).

(BTW you have 2 x no 10s )


12. Rear wiper, lube the hinge in the arm so the blade is pressing on the window as it should, new blade if needed. Fit a new washer nozzle, it just pulls out from the outside with pliers.

18. You're looking for the thin red wire on the back of the ignition switch, the radio then will stay on till the key is removed.

23. I had a spare key cut by the normal key cutter bloke in the high st. He just copied the original. You can find blanks on ebay if he doesn't have one.

Newsh - that's extremely helpful. Thank you! The rear wiper stuff I can probably do myself. I'll edit the two number 10's out.

Thanks to a favourable tax outcome in NZ this year I have a bit of spare cash to put into the car but the available resources are very definitely finite.

The front wheel rubbing the wheel arch is a surprise. Somewhere on the A road south into North Allerton, there's a piece of noggy blue wheel arch moulding on a layby. The car doesn't pull left or right but the geometry is definitely out.

[newsh]

That's a good list.

2. Could be a bad vacuum connection or a vacuum leak in one of the actuator pipes.

10. Rough idling, yes clean the ISV with WD40 or GT85 (not solvent) Include a boost leak test! Ideally replace all the small bore vac lines under the bonnet with new as they are a source of leaks and poor running. Check the DV is working (vac test the line from the IM to be sure it holds vacuum).

(BTW you have 2 x no 10s )


12. Rear wiper, lube the hinge in the arm so the blade is pressing on the window as it should, new blade if needed. Fit a new washer nozzle, it just pulls out from the outside with pliers.

18. You're looking for the thin red wire on the back of the ignition switch, the radio then will stay on till the key is removed.

23. I had a spare key cut by the normal key cutter bloke in the high st. He just copied the original. You can find blanks on ebay if he doesn't have one.

[jubjub]

What Rs2 have you got?
Just purchased, or owned for long?

[PRY4SNO]

Wow, that's quite the list!

Regardless, props to you for taking on such a gargantuan challenge and rescuing such an awesome car.

Would love to see a few pics sometime if you get the chance

[ColonialNomad]

After a week of owning it I've decided there are a number of items that need looking at...well, 24 different jobs to be honest. I'm not a perfectionist but I bought the car for a fun driving experience and that won't really happen if I'm constantly thinking about stuff that needs to be improved.

The list is as follows:
Mechanical
1 Rear offside wheel squeals intermittently when running at 50mph or more or when manouvering in reverse - inspect brake caliper alignment and wheel bearing. Replace with new parts if necessary.
2 Central locking doesn't unlock passenger side door or back doors fully when activated - inspect central locking pump and replace with reconditioned part if necessary.
3 Clicking from front driver side wheel when turning on full lock, wheel appears off centre in wheel arch and rubs against arch on full lock - replace front wheel arch moulding, investigate CV joint, wheel alignment and suspension.
4 Intermittent steering creak when turned to full lock - inspect bushes and power steering pump.
5 Handbrake efficiency is at 28% - inspect rear brake alignment.
6 Rear wiper stalk control works intermittently. No automatic stop when blades reach lowest extent - inspect and replace with new part if necessary.
7 Rear wiper jet is weak - inspect pump and replace with reconditioned part if necessary
8 Steering wheel is not lined up when the wheels are point straight - inspect and realign steering wheel.
9 Cigarette lighter doesn't work - inspect and replace withe secondhand part if necessary
10 Rough idling - inspect idle stabilising valve and clean if necessary. Inpsect spark plugs and replace/clean if necessary.

Maintenance:
11 Fuel lines are starting to corrode (MOT advisory) - inspect and replace.
12 All brake disks are slightly corroded - inspect and advise on need for replacement.
13 Rear wiper blade is ineffective - replace wiper blade and check alignment

Interior trim:
14 Ceiling light switch is hanging off - replace switch.
15 Passenger side door card suede trim needs replacement foam and regluing - replace foam and reglue.
16 Rear ash tray lid is broken and hanging off - replace with secondhand part
17 Screw cap in passenger rear footwell is missing - replace with secondhand part

Upgrades:
18 Fascia of installed Sony head won't stay attached. Display is dim - replace with upgraded Pioneer head.
19 Radio continues to play even when key is removed - install switched power supply
20 Left hand front speaker doesn't work and remaining speakers sound dated - replace front speakers.
21 Engine noise is boomy under acceleration - sound deadening needed?
22 Missing stalk control on left hand side of steering column - install hifi control stalk.
23 Lack of reversing assistance - install license plate mounted ultrasonic reversing kit (beep only). Advise on reversing camera installation.

Misc.
24 Missing spare key, metal ID tag was not included with sale. Advise on how to get a suitable replacement.

I'm mechanically minded (i.e. good with systems) but have virtually no experience of working on cars or the tools. Dean at Four Rings will be taking care of the car. Dean's assistant says they'll need three days. I suspect this is probably a little optimistic...will let you all know how we go but if any of you have advice on some of the tasks, any input would be gratefully received. I've started a thread on the hifi under the ICE sub forum.