German Engineering..

[Keithmac]

My lad bought an Audi A4 B6 1.8 20v Turbo last week, private sale. He's done probably 200 miles in it and it packed up the other day.

Luckily not a mechanical failure, had a look, good fuel pump, good compression, timing OK etc. Found no spark and no power supply to the coil packs..

Did some wiring tests and some research (plus a nice chap on Club GTI who has supplied some wiring diagrams).

Anyway, turns out Audi decided to build in a nice little swimming pool for a set of relays under the scuttle panel, under the PCM. It's in a "sealed" box but any water finding it's way in can't get out..

I've drilled a hole to drain the water out, got a new set of relays on the way but need to find some new terminals for the relay holders.

What a stupid design, a very common fault by all accounts as well.

Was half tempted to extend the loom and fit the relays in the cabin (where they should have been in the first place imho).

At least it's not a major mechanical failure.

 

[OJCar]

Were Land Rover once led the way ...

 

[Popcorn]

Vork sprung dork technic or what ever. Once you've worked on any German vehicle you can really understand why they lost the war.......
K series motorbikes gotta take the cams out to remove the head.......
Cars you have to take the engine out to change the cam chain......
You just can't make it up.

 

[Morrisman]

Perchance this is why the car was sold, intermittent fault that was getting less intermittent? Good spot though, sorting it so quick.

 

[sg66]

Least he didn't buy a V6 with the timing chain nightmare

 

[Mikes]

Vork sprung dork technic or what ever. Once you've worked on any German vehicle you can really understand why they lost the war.......
K series motorbikes gotta take the cams out to remove the head.......
Cars you have to take the engine out to change the cam chain......
You just can't make it up.

Just like loads of other car manufacturers. Seems all car designers (use that in the loosest terms) don't have a clue about routine maintenance.

 

[Popcorn]

A drive flange with 22 nuts and bolts holding it together, every single bolts different........... German Engineering

 

[MattF]

designers

That's the only word needed, in any area, to describe clueless folk.

 

[Keithmac]

Perchance this is why the car was sold, intermittent fault that was getting less intermittent? Good spot though, sorting it so quick.

Yes I do think the seller had some issues with it personally. It's our family luck that we end up with everyone's problems unfortunately!.

He did test drive it before buying it, amazing it ran at all looking at that relay.

It's lucky his dad's a bit "special" and has a knack for electrical repairs, He was genuinely gutted when it broke down.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

The feeling I get is that a lot of stuff that says "made in Germany" is perhaps better described as "assembled in Germany".

Their older stuff is of course top notch

 

[bourbon]

Just like loads of other car manufacturers. Seems all car designers (use that in the loosest terms) don't have a clue about routine maintenance.

But they do know about routine maintenance. Their job is to design it, so that only main dealers can service them.

 

[keithski122]

They used to put the the relays and ecu's in the cabin, under the passenger seat I think. Guess what the scuttle fills up leaks into the cabin and they all get wet causing electrical issues.
The americans say only buy a german car if its under warranty, when it runs out it time to get rid of it.

 

[keithski122]

But they do know about routine maintenance. Their job is to design it, so that only main dealers can service them.

They don't design for anyone to maintain them,even the main dealers, just to sell them and to last until the warranty runs out.

 

[roofman]

cam chains on the back of engine

 

[Trevorleach]

Seen the same on hgvs, which are always wet under the floormats.

 

[OJCar]

The americans say only buy a german car if its under warranty, when it runs out it time to get rid of it.

That is a bit rich considering how crudely American cars are built!

 

[dieselsamurai]

Audi 4.2 V8 cam chains.... tricky to make it more complicated

 

[Nomad]

Not just German designers.

My latest project is a Renault Espace - ODB2 ecu port and fuses / relays are in a box under the passenger floor mat

 

[Keithmac]

Audi 4.2 V8 cam chains.... tricky to make it more complicated

View attachment 516481

I remember seeing that a long while back when I was half tempted at buying one, needless to say that sealed the deal NOT to buy it!.

Next door to us is a BMW specialist, they must do 2 or 3 camchain jobs a week, all at the back of the engines. Look a right ballache to do!.

I think Japanese built cars are the way forward..

 

[500e]

The old Marina does not seem so bad now