[audiburg]

oh dear..... well my tansmission started to play up again so had to pull it out. These wonderfully designed Audi's make it impossible to get to the exhaust heatshield bolts so had to drop the motor with the trans. Adding further to their wonderful design charateristics, you have to remove the front body work (all but the fenders) to get the engine out. Turns out trans has snapped teeth on the drum which was no doubt caused by over pressure from a failed valve body, so a new one of those needed too. Whilst all was out, could see the rear cam seal covers leaking so replacing those (and front ones while at it) and those "infamous" oil return hose gaskest from the turbo that always leak. Then, of course, why wouldnt I do the timing belt whilst this whole thing is apart in a zillion pieces. If you see where these Audi lunatics have buried the thermostat you would undersatnd why I am doing this as well - plus the water pump cos that aint much better placed either. Oh, and has anyone seen how hard it is to get to the starter motor and alternator? So, yes, you guessed it, got these reman'd whilst I'm at it. With so many other little things so stupidly designed from a servicability aspect, I changed them too - "O" rings, gaskets etc. I think the allroad (maybe other Audis too) is the german revenge to the western world. If anyone out there is considering buying an Audi allroad, I give them this important advice:.......................................DON' T!