A4 B6 Avant PD130 - recent purchase, very happy! Few niggles

[DanielJames]

Morning!

I bought myself a 2003 A4 Avant yesterday with the PD130 engine. Brilliant car, but it has a few niggles I'm hoping will be easy fixes!

Firstly, the car runs cold, around 70c on the motorway. Going to change the thermostat today as they are only cheap to do so hopefully that'll solve it. If not, any ideas?

Secondly, I have no radio reception. The headunit is an Audi Concert Bose unit. Maybe the previous owner had an aftermarket unit in there and forgot to plug it in, so will check that first!

Thirdly, the crank pulley that runs the aux belt has quite a lot of movement on idle. I know these engines shake about a bit anyway, but I'm sure it can be felt through the car. As soon as revs are applied it goes straight! I was wondering if maybe it's been bent or something during its recent cambelt change.

Fourthly, (I was only expecting to list 2 things), the handbreak needs adjusting as is a bit slack. How is it done on these?

Last but not least the arm rest has a clip broken on it so doesnt shut properly. I'm hoping to be able to just replace the top lid, does anyone have a part number from Audi, or a link where I can get one?

Many thanks!
Dan

[Dr G]

Cold running could be thermostat - does the heater work well? I know it's a bit difficult to gauge at this time of year. It's of an age where the coolant temperature senders are a bit crap too.

Radio reception - wiring the obvious one to check. Have done an aerial amplifier on one recently.

Unsure on crank pulley/handbrake.

If you message me reg or chassis number I'll check price and part number on the armrest lid for you.

[DanielJames]

Replaced the thermostat this morning and the temp is now bang on 90! Cheap fix too!

Edited by DanielJames on Thursday 13th August 17:51

[oldaudi]

Not sure where it is in the Avant, but in the roof lining at the back on the saloon at least is the amplification for the radio. Its made up of several parts but normally its this part that breaks. It cracks, some can be fixed but I would see if you can get one from another car.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AUDI-A4-B6-01-04-SALOON-...

Of course, it could just be a dodgy connection at the back of the unit.

[Kell]

I replaced the lid on our old B6 Avant.

From memory it was about £30. And a bit of a faff, but ultimately easy to do.

[DanielJames]

Well the Radio started working! No idea why, just got in the car last night and it came on.

Unfortunately the thermostat change didn't go so smoothly as I didn't change the O ring and now have a slight leak. My mate works at GSF and will bring me one home tonight so that'll be that sorted hopefully!