2004 Audi TT - what preventative maintenance should i do?

[buzzer]

We have a 2004 225 BHP TT which has 55k miles on it. Its in Immaculate condition with full service history.

I want to keep this car for a while so I wondered if anyone has any ideas what i can do in terms of any preventative maintenance? So far i have:


Changed the Cam belt and water pump
flushed and changed the coolant
changed the Haldex oil
full service
changed the brake fluid
changed the clutch fluid
stripped and rebuilt all the calipers (they were perfect)

its up on the hoist in the garage at the moment...

Anything else you guys can think of?

[was8v]

Fuel filter.

Check brake pipes around rear calipers. I usually slap grease brake pipes with a brush to prevent corrosion.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I don't know if owt preventative can be done with anti roll bar bushes, but they are an achilles heel too. (probably just have to wait until you get the clunking over speed bumps )

[j_richards123]

If the car has been on long life servicing AVS it might be prudent to whip off the sump to check out the condition of the oil pick up pipe? ie. hardened oil deposits from oil being left in the sump for 2 years!

Hopefully your motor shouldn't be too bad.

If youve been on annual servicing or more frequent you should be ok

[TooLateForAName]

Pinch bolts on the front top suspension?

[Tame Technician]

Check for the plasitc inserts cracking and braking off the front and rear anti roll bars, at the bush location. Nothing you can do to stop it unfortunatly, new bar (without sleve insert) and new (bigger) bushes and clamps is the only propper fix.

Very closely check the rear suspensions springs, the coils actually break off, usually starting with a small section off the the top that you can only see while the suspension hangs down like you have it now. If you leave it with this insignificant peice missing for a length of time, a more significant coil can break. Although I've not know it cause a major problem on a TT, a broken coil spring at speed can be dangerous. Seen a front one go through a tyre and the suspention collaps on a Pug 306GTI

I didnt know coil springs could break until I worked for Audi. Now seen it on few cars.

Taking off the sump and cleaning it and the strainer out is a very good idea. Maybe leave til next time the oil needs changing.

[buzzer]

Thanks Tame Tech. Is the sump an easy one to drop?

[Gren]

Tame Technician said:

Check for the plasitc inserts cracking and braking off the front and rear anti roll bars, at the bush location. Nothing you can do to stop it unfortunatly, new bar (without sleve insert) and new (bigger) bushes and clamps is the only propper fix.

Very closely check the rear suspensions springs, the coils actually break off, usually starting with a small section off the the top that you can only see while the suspension hangs down like you have it now. If you leave it with this insignificant peice missing for a length of time, a more significant coil can break. Although I've not know it cause a major problem on a TT, a broken coil spring at speed can be dangerous. Seen a front one go through a tyre and the suspention collaps on a Pug 306GTI

I didnt know coil springs could break until I worked for Audi. Now seen it on few cars.

Taking off the sump and cleaning it and the strainer out is a very good idea. Maybe leave til next time the oil needs changing.

Had both arbs (sleeves cracked) and one rear spring replaced on my 52 plate. One arb went after 4 years, one after 5 and the spring after 7. Never noticed the spring until it was serviced!

[Tame Technician]

buzzer said:

Thanks Tame Tech. Is the sump an easy one to drop?

Reletivly easy. There is no subframe in the way or anything like that, but two bolts are accessed throught the bell housing so you need a long ball allen, 5 or 6 mm to undo them.

The 1.8T in the TT doesnt have a much problems with sluged strainers as in the A4 (dont know why) but if its preventative maintenance your after, its definatly worth it.

If it were mine, I'd drop the sump and replace or clean the strainer an give the sump a good clean out to remove any carbon deposits. I would also fit a good mechanical oil pressure gauge and if your having it chipped later, a boost pressure gauge too.

[buzzer]

Well I have been busy... I dropped the sump, it was clean as a whistle in there, no carbon deposits at all, just a quick clean and it went back on. I also took the opportunity to drill the sump plug and put a small magnet in there, lets see if it collects any ferrous particle next time i change the oil. I have also removed the wheal arch liners to have a look. there was quite a bit of debris behind them so I power washed the underside and when it was dry sprayer the underside and the arches with black Waxoyle.

[Lublyjubly2002]

Just make sure your breathing pipes are all clear, my 2000 just went worng due to faulty valve, gave me loads of problems high preasure and oil leaks and all :-(
If you are finished with yours feel free to take mine to pieces ;-)!