Stratosphere DV's

[Prawn]

Anyone else having problems with these ?
I am on the second pair since November and they have just gone all stupid on me again.
Lots of sticking, hesitation and strange noises.
I am waiting for some 'Turbo Dynamics' parts from AMD but they seem destined never to arrive in the 'smaller size fits S4 type', has anyone managed to try these ?
Any ideas for halting the failures ?

[Bushy]

never tried the stratmosphere DVs but suggest you buy either the new bosch ones from VAG Parts or the Forge ones

Cheers

[Andiroo]

Completed just over 12k miles trouble free with my pair of Strats - who fitted them mate?

Andiroo

[Joshie]

Had problems with the Forge DV's - rang Forge and the sent me a service kit (pistons, rubber seals and grease) FOC.

I don't do that many miles but I just think they tend to "dry out" with the heat in the engine bay. It is a bugger when they stick, and unsafe when overtaking so I'll see how I get on. The Bosch ones are recommended by many and my pal in the states swears by the Stratmosphere ones so perhaps you've just been unlucky.

[Prawn]

Parts were fitted and supplied by AMD.
I am currently running back on the bosch parts but will see
what the new ones from AMD are like before a final decision.

[Stratmosphere]

Having sold thousands of these, I must admit this is the first time I have heard about this. We have had no repeatable failures. Please feel free to contact me directly. You can e-mail me at Bob@stratmosphere.com .

After I have talked to you (Prawn) I will report back to this forum STRATMOSPHERE bob@stratmosphere.com

[tanoga]

Maybe you should take a look at Bushy's short shifter while you're at it Bob.
[img]images/graemlins/biggrin3.gif[/img]

By the way how you keeping? Want to buy a flywheel so you don't have to develop your own?
Karl

[Prawn]

You have mail Bob

[ForgeMotorsport]

The Forge valves use Mobil 1 and we recommend that you check the valves out every 10,000-12,000 miles to be sure , if you need any grease we will ship it to you free of charge

www.forgemotorsport.co.uk
Design and manufacture

[johneroberts]

Hmmm i need grease then havent checked them in over a year,what do i need to do?
Cheers
jr

[Joshie]

Hi JR,

Servicing is very easy - there is plenty of information about this on the Forge site and inded Forge can be contacted for advice too. I would recommend that you contact forge for a servicing kit containing rubber rings, piston and grease.

The steps are.

- Take off the cowling that says RS4 biturbo.
On the small vaccuum end of the DV there are two small bore tubes. Either undo the clamps or cut the cable ties if you have them.
- Undo the jubillee clips (two per DV) and pull the DV's free.
- Unscrew the vaccuum pipe end from the body of the DV - remember that there is a spring and a piston underneath so watch they don't spring apart with any force. Remove the spring - put to one side unless you are upgrading to the race spring.
- remove the piston (it just pushes out)
- carefully take out the rubber rings using a pin or similar
- thoroughly clean the inside of the DV especially the grooves where the two runner rings are seated. I used cotton buds and a cotton pad.

Take the service kit
- lightly grease the new rubber rings and the grroves inside the DV where the rubber rings are seated - reseat both rings in the DV
- grease the pistons and replace
- replace the spring and then screw the vacuum end down firmly
- test the unit to ensure that it is holding the vacuum - push piston up from underneath the DV with a pencil and when depressed press your finger hard over the vaccuum pipe. release the pressure on the piston and the piston should be held by the vaccuum.
- Refit to the car. I found that replacing the caccuum pipes was difficult using the clamps provided so I have used large cable ties for this.

Hint- place some grease on the inside of the hoses which will make it easier to get them back over the DV.

Hope this helps [img]images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Prawn]

Should see the new DV's Monday with a bit of luck.
Supplier problems are the reason for the delay.
I will report on the Turbo Dynamics parts after I have fitted them and compare to the std and Strat parts.

[Prawn]

New Turbo Dynamics parts have arrived at AMD, so I should have a pair later today.
I will fit them this evening as I have a trackday at Goodwood tomorrow.

I will let you know how they compare on Wednesday after a days looning about.

[Prawn]

Well great fun at Goodwood yesterday.
The new DV's seem to be fine, early days yet but no sticking
so far.
A bit of a tight fit but nothing a 90 degree vacuum hose nipple won't cure.

[Dean]

I got pissed off with messing around with aftermarket DVs that caused me problems so i bought an RS6 DV and put it in my S3.

It works perfectly, and looks exactly the same as the original, here's a copy of my post from TS

Thought i'd better do a single post about this.

I've had various problems with the standard DV in chipped my S3 so recently decided to try an RS6 Valve.

I paid about 20 quid including postage etc, It was easy to install and fitted in exactly the same manner as the original valve. It also looks the same but is a bit heavier.

I have covered about 1000 miles now, It works faultlessly and the funny noises have now dissapeared.
It seems to be working better than the original and the car is running well again.

I presume its just a stronger version of the S3 valve, and if they are good enough for an RS6 then they are good enough for my little S3

The part number is 06A 145 710 Revision P

The part was sourced by Paul @ VAGparts www.vagparts.com

good huh