Many DIYers on board?

[chris_m]

By the title I mean any non mechanics. I fancy getting my hands dirty more often with my car and thought I would ask how these cars are to work on and if you need a tray full of specialist tools? I can see how cramped the engine bay is but if that is the main headache then I guess why not? I would like to get familiar with the car as I intend on keeping it and would save me the headache of having to drive miles for trusted specialists every time the car farts.

I am not a complete novice with a spanner mind but have never worked in a garage or anything. I am from a Ford RS back ground and as a gullible teenager and being hit 10 year ago with a big bill from what should have been routine, I decided to do all my own work. So over the years, working on relatively basic cars, I have done engine swaps, custom builds/conversions, wiring, clutch changes, brakes, well pretty much everything all out of a Haynes manual so am a little mechanically minded. A friend of mine is a very good mechanic so have access to ramps after hours, plenty of tools and advice so shouldn't really get stuck. I am thinking about doing a diy carbon clean but am unsure at the minute. I am going to gut the pre cats next week though but that is quite a basic job. I am at MRC in 3 weeks and would like to have it all done by then.

Are there any decent manuals out there worth having?

Cheers,
Chris.

[drmanhattan]

There's a pdf study guide kicking around somewhere on this forum which might be a decent starting point. I downloaded it a while back but can't remember where it was!

[chris_m]

Cool, I will have a scour cheers

[docurley]

Yeah I like to do most stuff myself if I can and as I have owned 4 Audi's over the years and lots of mods and this being the biggest job.

This

To This



On the RS4 I have changed the DRC rear shock removed driver side Rad and fitted a CAI in its place oh and the amber headlight delete and installed B8 window switches so yeah I like a bit of DIY and have a few other things planned.

[chris_m]

That's what I loved about the fords, being able to tinker. Having tools and a roof over your head is half the battle. I did all kinds in rain wind and snow putting myself off a bit. I have had about a 4 year break from it and am itching to get stuck back in plus the benefit of hydraulic lifts I can borrow now and again.

[Rick_RS4]

love a bit of car diy, worked in a garage for a while tuning audis and vw s too, ive done most of the work myself on my RS

[chris_m]

love a bit of car diy, worked in a garage for a while tuning audis and vw s too, ive done most of the work myself on my RS

I have always thought of working on these as such a daunting task and always talked myself out of it. I must have confidence issues... lol.
I have always been a deep end kind of character. The tasks I have gave myself are to gut pre cats, thoroughly check for vacuume leaks and take off the inlets to do a carbon clean. I have read it is a good idea to change a one way valve under there as routine re routing it for easier future access. I am looking forward to it actually. No doubt I will be regretful when I have the engine in 100 pieces and getting thick of clunge.

[Rick_RS4]

the pre cats are a nightmare, make sure you buy 6 new studs and copper washers,they will be corroded and are a pita to get off,

its it daunting to do things to your motor but once you get in there its all ok, ive done 3 carbon cleans now and every time it seems a big job but its satisfying when you have completed it,


BTW Docurley that widebody conversion looks amazing

[docurley]

Carbon clean and downpipes on my list too, have already bought the sand gun and walnut shells but will buy the extras for the downpipes now as well.

Yeah loved that car, it was only a 1.8t quattro with mods and the first UK street going widebody.it got stollen and stripped which is not a pleasant sight but if it did not happen Iwould not be hear today.

[chris_m]

the pre cats are a nightmare, make sure you buy 6 new studs and copper washers,they will be corroded and are a pita to get off,

its it daunting to do things to your motor but once you get in there its all ok, ive done 3 carbon cleans now and every time it seems a big job but its satisfying when you have completed it,


BTW Docurley that widebody conversion looks amazing

Yeah I have read so. It shouldn't be too time consuming thouh should it? About an hour a side? It bas been suggested to cut them open to gut them a lot easier. I am 2 minutes away from a metal works company who will be able to weld them back up no problem. Is there any reason why not to do this? Like you say, the feel good factor makes the end result worth it.

[chris_m]

Carbon clean and downpipes on my list too, have already bought the sand gun and walnut shells but will buy the extras for the downpipes now as well.

Yeah loved that car, it was only a 1.8t quattro with mods and the first UK street going widebody.it got stollen and stripped which is not a pleasant sight but if it did not happen Iwould not be hear today.

Are the gun and shells a necessity or just to make your life easier? Also, is this only for the manifold, not the valves as debris would get into the engine if doing the valves wouldnt it? Are there any tools i should get now before i strip the car and realise that I need it? Sorry for all the dummy questions by the way?

That is awful to hear about your b5. I bet you had a few sleepless nights, I know I would have
To think all the times I have left my car running outside home when running back in for stuff. I am not so bad these days with that. Follish of me I know.

[boombastik]

DIY where/when you can I do

I serviced the RS4 last weekend at my cousins garage, all oils plugs filters, all brake pads 2 new tyres going back again this weekend to fit goodridge brake lines
handy that my cousin owns his own garage/MOT station
had to put the car in for a 4 wheel alignment yesterday which ended up costing trebble what they quoted as a rear arm bolt broke when attmepting to adjust

[docurley]

You could do a chemical clean and toothbrush but it would not be as good as the gun. Walnut shells residue would burn up with no ill effect unlike sand. There is a very good thread on here so when I get in to work I will dig it up.


Car was stollen buy a secondhand car dealernear the station i used, but I got payback don't worry and they gave up selling cars it got too costly I expect

[docurley]

Here you go viewtopic.php?f=35&t=104824&hilit=carbon+clean+DIY

We really should a subsection sticky for DIY stuff

[chris_m]

DIY where/when you can I do

I serviced the RS4 last weekend at my cousins garage, all oils plugs filters, all brake pads 2 new tyres going back again this weekend to fit goodridge brake lines
handy that my cousin owns his own garage/MOT station
had to put the car in for a 4 wheel alignment yesterday which ended up costing trebble what they quoted as a rear arm bolt broke when attmepting to adjust

Servicing I was going to leave for a garage for the service stamps. Come to think of it though, I am sure my pal would stamp for me as long as he overlooked the work and checked that everything was done according to service, which of course I would anyhow.

I need the alignment done on mine as it happens. The outer edge of my off side tyre was unevenly worn. Just put 4 on so best get it done soon.