My 2001 A4 Restoration in progress

[TheRedGlacier]

Hey guys, I'm sitting at work on break, feeling pretty bored. I decided it might be fun to make my own little thread dedicated to my B5. I can't upload a bunch of pictures now or anything, as my old phone is sitting at home.

Anyways, I purchased my 2001.0 A4 1.8T 5 speed manual in September of 2015 with 193,500 miles. Got her for $1500 down from $2200. I got this deal as the owner didn't know when the timing belt was last changed, and because of a few little quirks.

Factory Options:
Celebration Package
quattro Sport Package
Winter Weather Package

When I first brought her home, I found out the power steering was low, and so was the oil... Now this was a few months after I purchased the first car I would own the title to: a '94 Trans Am (Although I owned a $1500 Chrysler 300m, it sorta died the month I bought her from the family), and I still knew relatively little information about car maintenance.

So I added some 0w40 M1 euro oil, and some euro blend mineral steering fluid, and drove her like a normal person would. I enjoyed having a car I wasn't afraid to rack miles up on (The Pontiac had 49,xxx miles).

Well as the days go by, I noticed oil drips all over the driveway. Really made my parents happy.. so even though it was the wromg solution, I may have dumped some stop leak into the crankcase. Stopped the leak dead.
One day, I decided right before a snowstorm, I was going to fix a torn CV boot.. and I failed miserably! So I went a week and a half with no car. I had to walk to work for over an hour every single morning except on a Saturday. I ended up just replacing the whole axle instead of the boot alone.

Few months of nothing go by.. happy times.
Then one morning I wake up to -15* weather on my only day off for the week.. and what do I find? My engine dumped EVERY drop of oil straight down. Being all PO'd, I bought MORE stop leak, and more oil, dumped it in. All together the engine hasn't leaked since, even after multiple changes.

Somewhere along the road, I ended up replacing the PCV breather hose, as it snapped in two. Then I fixed a big vacuum leak my curious self created.

Fast foward to March, I put the car into storage, drove the Trans Am for a few months until the Optispark distributor failed in July. The week of the 4th of course, so no Audi or Trans Am for me. Went over to the garage, and she fired up instantly. I had her off the charger the whole time, and the garage wasn't heated or anything.

I replaced the oil level sensor in August, as well as the rear pads and rotors (Pain in the you know what!) Sensor was a Napa part that barely works!! Only tells me the temp for a second after turning on the battery.

Somewhere around here, I replaced the valve cover gasket, and spark plugs, as there was a little oil in the plug wells.

September started a long and painful process of repainting basically the entire car. Everything except for the roof, trunk, and driver side doors was miscolored or peeling due to a cheap paint job by a previous owner. I repainted a few panels twice.. some need to be rebuffed, from random scratches. The driver side quarter is annoying me though, random chips forming, and I failed to shoot enough paint onto the lip of the wheel arch, so that is slightly rusty. Not sure if I want to reshoot that panel, or if I just want to touch it up.. its ever so slightly darker than the rest of the car, even though I used the same LY7W paint..

Oh and in the past October, I bought a GIAC X chip from a member here, replaced all of my vacuum braided lines, and cracked the N112 Valve's inlet nipple off. Great!

In November, I ditched the factory antidazzle side mirrors, as they were basically shot, and only getting worse. I would love to get new ones, but none were at a good price in good shape whem I wanted to buy them. So I bought some blue tinted/blind spot/ heated mirror glass. Passenger side glass heat doesn't work, didn't on the old mirror either.. maybe bad wiring somewhere? Is there a seperate plug in the door panel or something? Power adjustment works.

Just did the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, roller, and accessory belts a couple weeks ago.

Parts to be replaced AS OF THE ORIGINAL POST IN 2017

Front Control Arm kit from FCP
Rear wheel bearing
Hella Oil sensor
N112 valve
Engine mounts
Caliper carrier
Front Wheel speed sensor (ABS Code: 00283)
New rear diff seal, and gear oil

I still need to respray:
The hood,
Front bumper,
FR door,
R Fender

Hopefully, then, everything will be complete for awhile, and my Audi will be near 100%.. well the struts and springs are factory as far as I'm aware, new ones aren't in the budget right now. Although I did splurge on a set of front sport cloth seats from a member on here. I plan on moving my heating elements over into those seats when I have the time.

For now, that's all folks. I'll try to add pictures soon. She is currently sitting at 206,6xx miles, and hasn't left me stranded once. Wish I could say the same about the Trans Am. Silly GM.

SUMMER 2017 UPDATE:
Maintenance and mods:
Rear wheel bearing
Hella Oil sensor
N112 valve
Engine mounts
Caliper carrier on the driver's side
Front passenger side caliper and brake line.
New pads and rotors up front (I should have gone with the A8 upgrades, but money was tight at the time)
Front Wheel speed sensor
Diverter valve cold side relocation
CX Racing 3" catback installed
Silicone T.I.P.

APRIL 2018 UPDATE:
(The content below is from a thread I started yesterday. I had forgotten about this thread, and I believe the content would make more sense to tack on here.)
Current mileage: 216,xxx
Maintenance:
*Passenger mirror motor (plastic slider snapped)
*Alternator replaced with a brand new Valeo unit.
*Battery replaced with a Walmart 730 CCA. The 7 year old Bosch finally gave up
*Coolant reservoir for the second time in a year. I went with a HELLA unit this time around.
*Four new tires: Cooper Zeon RS3-G1s in 225/50/W16 trim.
*Car stopped running properly with the GIAC ECU in (after a year), put the stocker back in
*Fan Clutch (had a spare)
*LED for security light on the driver's door failed (can it be replaced?)
*Small crack in the windshield by the rear view mirror (in between panes of glass)
*Someone keyed my RR 1/4 panel after I shot fresh paint on it..
*My Smog SAI pump is now officially toast
*My GIAC X ECU stopped running the car properly... I was seeing vacuum all over the place, and the RPMs kept bouncing up and down at idle with the TB connector plugged in. Once I put the stocker back in, car acted as normal.. So I'm out the ECU it seems, and I haven't wanted to spend the money for a new tune at the moment.
*LF Outer CV joint is about to explode, getting a new one in today
*Replacing my shot stock trans mount on the pass. side with a Stern Pro-mount from Mike at Ringer Racing

Working on issues with tire wear on the rear driver's corner.
Still need a new seat bottom vinyl.
My new control arm set REALLY needs to go in soon, as the front back lower arms have got some movement in them, and can't hold a proper alignment.
Have a mystery small oil leak... Oil keeps pooling on the valve cover. VCG is in good shape.

[Bordom]

Pics of both now

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

[redline380]

Excellent. Just wondering, how old are you? Not getting at anything, just wondering.

FYI, stop leak is a no-no on anything, especially an Audi. Also in for pics. Another good FYI is run most questions past us. For instance, the anti dazzle mirrors are very expensive, yes, but can be had for $40+ from part outs.

[TheRedGlacier]

Oh no problem at all haha. I'm 18. I bought the Trans Am when I was 16 from my uncle for $7000, and the Audi right after I turned 17. I didn't borrow the cash from anybody. Its all from saving.

I appreciate your input, I know well enough now to not run stop leak in mine. At least when I was less knowledgable, I still figured out what fluids can and can't go into the car. I'll probably end up picking up some more antidazzles at some point soon. I don't plan on keeping the plain glass in for too long. My old mirrors were not going to pass inspection with how messed up they were.

Anyways, now the fun part! No photo magic





I really need to vacuum haha

When I bought the Audi:






Now:








I'm not a huge fan of the single tip anymore. The opening is too big in the lower valance. But I prefer it to the puny muffler tips. I forgot to mention, I cheaped out, and just went the muffler delete route due to costs. The interior is currently a basic dark blue. I added a piece of red trim molding in the inner circle on the steering wheel, added a boost gauge, and flipped the shift knob inside out due to the leather fading in a few spots. Shift boot cracked open while I was driving to school one day.

[OverSpun]

I suggest finding a valence for your front bumper to protect your washer tank and whatnot from road debris. My 2001 A4 Avant restoration project also started without a valence and a lot more. I put an S4 bumper on the car because my bumper was toast anyway. Everything else was in far worse shape than your car. Good luck.

[TheRedGlacier]

Thank you for the suggestion Nick. I planned on getting one awhile ago, but I didn't think to search through part outs at the time. The day I bought my car, it had half of the front valance, but it fell off when my car bumped the edge of my driveway, and I can't remember exactly if the clips on it broke :/

[OverSpun]

Thank you for the suggestion Nick. I planned on getting one awhile ago, but I didn't think to search through part outs at the time. The day I bought my car, it had half of the front valance, but it fell off when my car bumped the edge of my driveway, and I can't remember exactly if the clips on it broke :/

The valences are attached with clips and some plastic rivets on either side at the fenders but a replacement can be attached with zip ties where the rivets were. Unless your bumper is very damaged.

[gtsingh91]

What part of NY are you located?

[TheRedGlacier]

I'm in Hamburg, just south of Buffalo

[TheRedGlacier]

EDIT: Sweet mother of god! I got an old wheel speed sensor out! I chiseled around the edge of the hole, and kept going at it, broke the tip off of a thick screw driver, and then I used channel locks, as well as passion to get it out. I plugged the hole, with a plastic cap, until my new sleeve clamp thing comes in the mail.

EDIT 2: I changed 3 of the check valves. The last one is against the firewall, down below the brake booster clutter, but I couldn't reach one of the bands. I'm probably going to have to dremel that one apart. It comes off of the same vacuum hose that the N249 and N112 connect to.
All three of the old check valves had a very audible hiss of air when blown into (the direction air is supposed to flow), but the new ones (UroTuning) don't make virtually any noise when blown into. Not sure if that is a sign that the old valves were garbage. But that's my update.

[OverSpun]

EDIT: Sweet mother of god! I got an old wheel speed sensor out! I chiseled around the edge of the hole, and kept going at it, broke the tip off of a thick screw driver, and then I used channel locks, as well as passion to get it out. I plugged the hole, with a plastic cap, until my new sleeve clamp thing comes in the mail.

EDIT 2: I changed 3 of the check valves. The last one is against the firewall, down below the brake booster clutter, but I couldn't reach one of the bands. I'm probably going to have to dremel that one apart. It comes off of the same vacuum hose that the N249 and N112 connect to.
All three of the old check valves had a very audible hiss of air when blown into (the direction air is supposed to flow), but the new ones (UroTuning) don't make virtually any noise when blown into. Not sure if that is a sign that the old valves were garbage. But that's my update.

That one nearby the firewall should be right nearby the T-shape check valve. It was a lot easier to replace those both at the same time when I did mine. The ones under the intake manifold, just pulling up the coolant tank for a bit. Thank Audi for building everything with very low space to replace parts.

Boost issue... potentially a torn diverter valve if you haven't checked. Those factory ones can't handle more than ~7-10psi unless it has been upgraded to the valve from the TT225 (710N) or else. Anyway, I have always upgraded to Forge valves.

Here's my little restoration thread.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...1#post12147459

[TheRedGlacier]

By brake booster, I meant the whole little vacuum assembly next to the overflow tank haha. My diverter valve was replaced by the previous owner with a 007 Ebay clone. I replaced the valve by the airbox, two valves directly under the manifold. All that's left is the one right at the back of the manifold, tucked under a bunch of stuff. The last valve I have comes off of this hose here
It goes into the hole facing up on the hose going vertically in the picture.
(This isn't off of my car)
(Sorry if I'm being confusing haha)

I'll be sure to check out your thread by the way.

EDIT: HVAC off, operating temperature, at idle is reading just about -18 in 33 degree weather. I didn't notice any stuttering anymore. But there is still that one check valve. I've only had my gauge since spring, and I've seen -20,-19 before. When it was warm out.

[OverSpun]

Replace that last check valve and see how it affects your vac on the gauge.

[TheRedGlacier]

Alrighty, I'll update when I get the last one in.

On a sidenote, an employee at my local Autozone told me he has a B5 1.8 with 280,000 miles, and owned one (I think he said a 99) with 460,000. I thought I had a respectable amount of life in mine, but I guess she's still just a baby!
I guess its true that if you take care of these, they'll take care of you.

Anyway going off of that, he told me about a pick and pull in Buffalo. I checked their inventory, and they just added a 2000, and a 2001. I'm going to try to get the front valance, trunk tools, and the owner's manual.

Edit: Just got the manual (all pieces) with the leather jacket, and the OEM trunk tools/toolbox for $12. I am currently blowdrying the manuals out.. but better than $30 on ebay lol.

[OverSpun]

Alrighty, I'll update when I get the last one in.

On a sidenote, an employee at my local Autozone told me he has a B5 1.8 with 280,000 miles, and owned one (I think he said a 99) with 460,000. I thought I had a respectable amount of life in mine, but I guess she's still just a baby!
I guess its true that if you take care of these, they'll take care of you.

Anyway going off of that, he told me about a pick and pull in Buffalo. I checked their inventory, and they just added a 2000, and a 2001. I'm going to try to get the front valance, trunk tools, and the owner's manual.

Edit: Just got the manual (all pieces) with the leather jacket, and the OEM trunk tools/toolbox for $12. I am currently blowdrying the manuals out.. but better than $30 on ebay lol.

- Do not ever use the jack that comes with the tool set. They are very weak, your car could drop on the ground if you're changing a flat somewhere. I have AAA for that stuff.

They will definitely live a long time as long you take properly maintain it. I have a couple friends with 250k+ on their B5 A4 Avants w/ built motors. Seems like a lot of us OG Audi owners own Avants these days after owning sedans when they were new like myself. But I will never sell my current A4 since it is more of a toy than a car.

[TheRedGlacier]

Okay! Thanks for the input! At the least, I got the toolbox for free haha.

I know, blasphemy, but like I personally am not a huge fan of Avants. Maybe eventually, anyways. Good news! New sensor is in, and no more ABS light!!

Edit: Drove half a mile, light came on. 00283 again. Light clears, unlike before.. but yeah.. not sure what to do.

Edit: cleared it, drove a mile, no return.. perhaps stored code?

[OverSpun]

Okay! Thanks for the input! At the least, I got the toolbox for free haha.

I know, blasphemy, but like I personally am not a huge fan of Avants. Maybe eventually, anyways. Good news! New sensor is in, and no more ABS light!!

Edit: Drove half a mile, light came on. 00283 again. Light clears, unlike before.. but yeah.. not sure what to do.

Edit: cleared it, drove a mile, no return.. perhaps stored code?

I bought the avant for my dog. But girls actually like it.

Yea, it may have been a stored code. VCDS usually clears stuff and never shows again after resolved but it seems that your scan tool handled it.

BTW, your car is not a celebration package car. You have the sport package w/ 16" wheels. Celebration packages came with 17" RS4 wheels. :)

From google-

[TheRedGlacier]

Hmm. I was told celebration had homelink, antidazzle mirrors, and a sunroof..
Although I too was wondering about the rims. Cause I prefer the RS4s. Wondering if maybe the 01.5s got the 17"?

Um.. well the abs was activating and making a weird grinding noise when I was pulling into my driveway. Only as I was slowing down to enter my driveway. Nothing else triggered it. Not hard braking, not slow braking.. just braking before pulling up. I just washed the car, but I wouldn't think it'd do that haha. Year old axle. Front driver side.

[OverSpun]

Hmm. I was told celebration had homelink, antidazzle mirrors, and a sunroof..
Although I too was wondering about the rims. Cause I prefer the RS4s. Wondering if maybe the 01.5s got the 17"?

Um.. well the abs was activating and making a weird grinding noise when I was pulling into my driveway. Only as I was slowing down to enter my driveway. Nothing else triggered it. Not hard braking, not slow braking.. just braking before pulling up. I just washed the car, but I wouldn't think it'd do that haha. Year old axle. Front driver side.

Both of my B5s were not Celebration package cars but they both had sunroofs, home link, and anti-dazzle and heated mirrors. Neither came with HID headlight options... I added later. Those were just options. My first B5 was a 2001.5 w/ 16" wheels like yours. If you check your ECU (physically or check on VCDS), the 2001.5 had a CH box. I reflashed my current A4's ECU to a CH for the tuning for my upgraded turbo.

Celebration cars are pretty rare. I may have only seen a few over the years.

I look at them like the B6 Ultrasports. This is my old B6 Ultrasport. It looked good with the factory wheels and only changed the grilles and e-codes besides all of the performance mods. I should have kept it but I wanted faster cars.

[TheRedGlacier]

Oh okay! I gotcha. Good to clear that up then. So my abs is throwing a very intermittent 00283 code. The abs will randomly kick on at varying speeds from 35ish to 15 mph. I sprayed the living poop out of the sensor hole with brake cleaner before installing the new one. Is it possible the sensor isn't in far enough? Too far? I gently tapped the thing in.. but I really dunno. When the light is on, ABS is disabled. When it goes off or is cleared, it works. I'm confused haha.

[OverSpun]

Oh okay! I gotcha. Good to clear that up then. So my abs is throwing a very intermittent 00283 code. The abs will randomly kick on at varying speeds from 35ish to 15 mph. I sprayed the living poop out of the sensor hole with brake cleaner before installing the new one. Is it possible the sensor isn't in far enough? Too far? I gently tapped the thing in.. but I really dunno. When the light is on, ABS is disabled. When it goes off or is cleared, it works. I'm confused haha.

Is your ABS light flashing or solid? Your ABS module could be going out. I had that issue too. It can be repaired if that is the case. It is easier with VCDS. You can drive the car on a bad ABS module but you'd have to wait until the module is repaired. I sent in an extra module for repair so I could drive the car meanwhile.

This is the code that I got a few years back:

1 Fault Found:
18014 - Rough Road/Engine Torque Signal from ABS 
            P1606 - 35-10 - Electrical Malfunction - Intermittent

[TheRedGlacier]

Nope, 00283: http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/00283
Solid light when it comes on. No brake light warning either

Driving to school, beep beep beep, brake light flashing, and abs light. Come on! Code read 00597. Changed the fuse, and no more flashing.. :/ or abs codes.

[TheRedGlacier]

Bump, 00597 gone, no more flashing brake light after removing, cleaning, and reinstalling the sensor. There was dust all over it. The center of the tip was slightly scratched. Could it be in too far? Tone ring appears to be just fine. No cracks or corrosion that I can see.

edit:... I pulled the sensor out and adjusted it. I think I had it in too far. All symptoms are completely gone.

[TheRedGlacier]

I just went up to the junkyard again today, as they just brought in a 1998, and another 2000. The 98 was a non-sport avant auto. Nothing to take there :(

In the 2000 however... I got the OEM A4 badged floor mats, as well as my lower valance. Total cost was $29.50!

[TheRedGlacier]

Hey guys, I just decided a couple days ago to start using my engine cover again. I painted it gloss black, and I plan to slap a 3D rings badge over where they are normally painted on. I have a pair of rings, too small though.
(For whatever reason, no matter what I do, I can't upload anymore pictures even if I delete some. I have 3/4 space left, I've tried lower res pictures, and cropping..)
https://twitter.com/TheRedGlacier/st...14004127805441
I still need to wet sand and buff it.. then it'll REALLY shine.

I also spoke with an Audi representative regarding every option my vehicle had left the factory with, and I was curious to know how many silver A4s were built.
https://twitter.com/TheRedGlacier/st...14052391714821

[PringlesInVic]

Only 545? That's surprising. Maybe he's missing a number.

[TheRedGlacier]

She meant 545 2001s with 1.8Ts, manual, and quattro in Light Silver with the onyx interior.

[Mattr567]

She meant 545 2001s with 1.8Ts, manual, and quattro in Light Silver with the onyx interior.

Can I do that with my car too? I wonder how many LY7M '99 manual 1.8t fwd with Mussel/Opal Grey interior.

I don't imagine many, especially mine being a stripper model (no options expect sport package) but I don't think they can account for that.

Sent from my A0001 using Audizine mobile app

[TheRedGlacier]

Yeah, you just go to Audi of America's chat support, give them your VIN, and they'll set you up.

[Mattr567]

Yeah, you just go to Audi of America's chat support, give them your VIN, and they'll set you up.

Done! I wonder how many, probably less than yours i'd imagine.

I remember some guy found out that only 18 B5 S4 Avants in laser red with a manual transmission were sold in the US, crazy.

[OverSpun]

She meant 545 2001s with 1.8Ts, manual, and quattro in Light Silver with the onyx interior.

Since you have factory HIDs? May be the reason? My first B5 had all the same options w/ bose w/o HIDs or heating seats.

Whereas my avant has every option besides bose, hids, or heating seats but at least its 6mt. I should ask Audi support to ask about '01 avants. :)

[TheRedGlacier]

Wait, yours is a 6MT? I wasn't aware of that!

@Matt, post some numbers once you.get the email. Very curious to know.
Maybe we should start a new thread

[OverSpun]

Wait, yours is a 6MT? I wasn't aware of that!

@Matt, post some numbers once you.get the email. Very curious to know.
Maybe we should start a new thread

Eh, 5mt. Bad habit since all of my last cars were 6mt besides my B5s.

[tar]

Done! I wonder how many, probably less than yours i'd imagine.

I remember some guy found out that only 18 B5 S4 Avants in laser red with a manual transmission were sold in the US, crazy.

1 of 3 in my color combo. 1 of 6 India 1.8t avant Quattro 5speed. I've seen threads on this topic. All I asked audi was color and interior in my year and specs.

[OverSpun]

1 of 3 in my color combo. 1 of 6 India 1.8t avant Quattro 5speed. I've seen threads on this topic. All I asked audi was color and interior in my year and specs.

Yours is likely more rare since most of the rest are off the road.

[tar]

Mines off the road 2 of course. :) unmotivated project right now but still collecting bits for it.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

[Mattr567]

Wait, yours is a 6MT? I wasn't aware of that!

@Matt, post some numbers once you.get the email. Very curious to know.
Maybe we should start a new thread

I got the numbers back, yea its a lot lower than yours lol.

42 - 1999 Audi A4 Front-wheel drive models with Aluminium Silver Metallic exteriors and Opal Grey interiors with a manual transmission sold in the US.

Also got some other interesting numbers:

1,025 - 1999 Audi A4 1.8L Front-wheel drive models sold in the U.S.

116 - 1999 Audi A4 1.8L Front-wheel drive models with Aluminum Silver Metallic exteriors sold in the US.

[SN95Audi87]

Interesting thread! My car came from N.C. and it is non-HID, non-heated seats, but it has home link, sunroof, and anti-dazzle mirrors. The car also came with 16" spoke wheels but the previous owners swapped them out for B6 sport wheels. The interior in grey and the exterior is light silver metallic. The car is genuine tiptronic too with quattro.

[OverSpun]

Here's mine...

There were 997 2001 Audi A4 Avants 1.8T with the 5-Speed manual transmission/Quattro sold in the U.S.

There were 456 2001 Audi A4 Avants 1.8T with the 5-Speed manual transmission/Quattro with light silver metallic exteriors sold in the U.S.

Lastly, there were 334 2001 Audi A4 Avants 1.8T with the 5-Speed manual transmission/Quattro with light silver metallic exteriors and onyx interiors sold in the U.S.

I guess mine is more rare than yours but nothing close like the India Red avant.

[Mattr567]

Here's mine...
I guess mine is more rare than yours but nothing close like the India Red avant.

Yea, the India Avant is crazy rare.

Still pretty shocked at 42 for my car though. That's quite a bit more rare than yours and Glacier's. Especially coming from a car that on the surface appears to be pretty normal/common. No special colors or rare options or even an Avant for that matter.

Audi also said this:

"The sales numbers we provided we specific to your VIN number so this would include all vehicles with the same options."

So yea, maybe its the fact that its a stripper model that makes it so rare?