2008 Audi R8 4.2 V8
Discussion
Mark Benson said:
Aircon does slowly get less effective over time and sometimes it 'only need a regas' (as every dodgy Gumtree car ad says) - if that's the case you can buy a refill cannister from Halfords or online for about £60 and try to refill yourself.
But if it's gone from cold to nothing in a fairly short period of time it's probably a leak in which case find a local aircon specialist who can do a leak test for you (you can do them yourself, but for the cost it's not worth the bother) and repair if necessary.
Not sure if this is the best idea. Certainly when I've had cars regassed in the past the machine measures out a specific amount and that can vary by system. You won't be able to do this if you use the DIY kits.But if it's gone from cold to nothing in a fairly short period of time it's probably a leak in which case find a local aircon specialist who can do a leak test for you (you can do them yourself, but for the cost it's not worth the bother) and repair if necessary.
I had an S4 V8 for about a decade and it needed regassing a couple of years in a row. I think it was because I turned off the A/C and had the windows open in the summer so the joints dried out. I left the A/C on when the windows were open after that and it was fine.
I did have to replace the compressor twice in that time though. I think it was unique to that model and drove the PAS as well. First time it cost over a grand but second time only a few hundred.
I did have to replace the compressor twice in that time though. I think it was unique to that model and drove the PAS as well. First time it cost over a grand but second time only a few hundred.
Lovely car OP.
I fully agree with that Gen 1 R8 is a very sweet spot, absolutely stunning cars, so right! I fulfilled my ultimate motoring goal this week and got myself a Gen 1 V10 s-tronic, it's the first car that has completely exceeded my expectations. It's got a Larini valved exhaust which makes an unbelievable noise!
Enjoy it OP
I fully agree with that Gen 1 R8 is a very sweet spot, absolutely stunning cars, so right! I fulfilled my ultimate motoring goal this week and got myself a Gen 1 V10 s-tronic, it's the first car that has completely exceeded my expectations. It's got a Larini valved exhaust which makes an unbelievable noise!
Enjoy it OP
Nice write up, you should join this group on FB, close to 700 active members.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2452660391514621/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2452660391514621/
It looks fantastic, well played. I have a real soft spot for these despite having never driven one, the engine in the RS4 was fantastic though, I drove one with a modified exhaust and it sounded unbelievable, you'd have to have a heart of stone to not be moved by it.
Will keep an eye on this one; great read so far
Will keep an eye on this one; great read so far
theclutch said:
Update:Carbon clean first - there was lots of build up apparently. I do feel a notice improvement in low down torque and it feels like the car revs more cleanly. Difficult to tell to be honest but engine just feels happier.
All these years on from the original design, is there anything that can be done to stop this happening again? Is it a combination of poor PCV and no valve cooling, so the gasses bake on? paultownsend said:
All these years on from the original design, is there anything that can be done to stop this happening again? Is it a combination of poor PCV and no valve cooling, so the gasses bake on?
Anyway. I saw a black mk1 on the road yesterday and it looked incredible. So low and wide. Congratulations. That must feel so special to drive. The definition of a supercar. I've always liked the look of the R8, so I hope you enjoy yours OP.
I had to laugh when you said you had missed out on a couple of cars, including a BMW Z4M Coupe, as I bought one of those last December and the seller had a V8 R8 in the garage!
So maybe you just jumped a step in the chain.
I had to laugh when you said you had missed out on a couple of cars, including a BMW Z4M Coupe, as I bought one of those last December and the seller had a V8 R8 in the garage!
So maybe you just jumped a step in the chain.
ruprechtmonkeyboy said:
Mark Benson said:
Aircon does slowly get less effective over time and sometimes it 'only need a regas' (as every dodgy Gumtree car ad says) - if that's the case you can buy a refill cannister from Halfords or online for about £60 and try to refill yourself.
But if it's gone from cold to nothing in a fairly short period of time it's probably a leak in which case find a local aircon specialist who can do a leak test for you (you can do them yourself, but for the cost it's not worth the bother) and repair if necessary.
Not sure if this is the best idea. Certainly when I've had cars regassed in the past the machine measures out a specific amount and that can vary by system. You won't be able to do this if you use the DIY kits.But if it's gone from cold to nothing in a fairly short period of time it's probably a leak in which case find a local aircon specialist who can do a leak test for you (you can do them yourself, but for the cost it's not worth the bother) and repair if necessary.
The kits come with a gauge which tells you when your system is at the correct pressure, It's really no different.
Mark Benson said:
The commercial machine doesn't dispense a specific amount as it has no idea how much gas is still in the system - it just cuts off at the correct pressure.
The kits come with a gauge which tells you when your system is at the correct pressure, It's really no different.
The kits come with a gauge which tells you when your system is at the correct pressure, It's really no different.
Mark Benson said:
The commercial machine doesn't dispense a specific amount as it has no idea how much gas is still in the system - it just cuts off at the correct pressure.
The kits come with a gauge which tells you when your system is at the correct pressure, It's really no different.
That's not true. An A/C charging station will dispense a specific mass of refrigerant when charging the system and the mass required for the system will be documented on a label on the vehicle. There's no such thing as the correct pressure for a system when charging. That's why using a DIY kit is just a waste of time, you'll never get the correct system charge.The kits come with a gauge which tells you when your system is at the correct pressure, It's really no different.
OP, if the system is blowing warm air then that could be a sign that the system is undercharged. The system will naturally lose charge over time so it could just be time for a recharge. At the same time, there could be a leak in the system which would see the system lose charge quickly and then need the source tracing. This could be a split hose or a hole in the condenser for example. You are right, there could be an issue with the compressor, but you should investigate the other potential (cheaper) causes first. Take it to a specialist and get them to test the system.
Nice to see there's a lot of appreciation for these. Personally, I think the V8 Manual is the sweet spot as the best all round version. I also think they will be timeless, more so than the current one which has more of the jaggy angle stuff of modern design.
OP, your car is the exact Colour/Spec/Mileage that my son and myself will be looking for in the next 8 months or so.
Desperate to get one before they get noticed more for the bargain they are at the moment.
I have driven one and it feels a very special experience indeed.
OP, your car is the exact Colour/Spec/Mileage that my son and myself will be looking for in the next 8 months or so.
Desperate to get one before they get noticed more for the bargain they are at the moment.
I have driven one and it feels a very special experience indeed.
clowesy said:
Mark Benson said:
The commercial machine doesn't dispense a specific amount as it has no idea how much gas is still in the system - it just cuts off at the correct pressure.
The kits come with a gauge which tells you when your system is at the correct pressure, It's really no different.
That's not true. An A/C charging station will dispense a specific mass of refrigerant when charging the system and the mass required for the system will be documented on a label on the vehicle. There's no such thing as the correct pressure for a system when charging. That's why using a DIY kit is just a waste of time, you'll never get the correct system charge.The kits come with a gauge which tells you when your system is at the correct pressure, It's really no different.
So, if it's based on a specific mass, how does the commercial system know how much refigerant is in the system (or does it discharge and then recharge from empty)?
Edited by Mark Benson on Monday 3rd August 15:54
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