Went to perform a trany filter/fluid change today on the Avant.... what a PIA. I even made the homespun fluid pump with clear tubing and hardware with which to fill the ATF.

I never got beyond taking the fill and drain plugs as ALL of the tranny bolts were completely rusted and my hex bit couldn't get a good bite. I wound up pretty much stripping at least 5 of them or more and decided to give up until I could purchase all new bolts as I would have to use an easy-out on most of them.
I'm going to wait until Spring to frig with it again as it's getting too cold here in Maine and my wife uses it mostly around town. So I refilled w/about 3-4 bottles of fresh ATF (Pentosin).

As I was working on the Avant I noticed my Passats belly pan was hanging down on one side. Upon closer inspection it looked like something tore it off it's metal mount towards the rear. I removed the belly pan and put some epoxy resinn all over the cracked areas... not too bad. The rear corner of the almost cracked completely off. Now that I think about I did hit something in the road last week but I didn't hear anything when I drove over it. I completely inspected everything under the car for damage... none...phew!

This weeks episode consists of getting snow tires, new belly pan (for the Avant), maybe two new belly pans! And the Avant also needs some heavy duty rubber matts. I'll also change the PS fluid soon too.

To top things off the Avant is making clunking noises over bumps, as well as what sounds like either a bad wheel bearing or CV joint.

I just want to chip the damn thing already. :-)

 

when doing the ATF. I found that the homemade gravity pump didn't fill fast enough. I'm thinking that your standard suction pump might work better.

 

A4 has weak heat and the driver's seat heater is out.
Wife A6 is all apart waiting for a new cat.
A6 Avant needs full timing belt service, cam adjuster seals, diff seal, ABS control unit.
S6 needs timing belt service soon.
Good times.

 

I t was pretty funny! The cars front end completely opened up and my surrounding neighbors didn't know what to think as we're pretty new to the neighborhood. Now the neighbors are very curious and come over to chat when they see me performing work on the cars and asking questions. How did you do that? Where did you learn that stuff? Is your car OK? LOL.

 

regular bolts this time. and skip the whole $5X25 pan bolts for something will will strip again in the future.

 

Imagine your same neighbor forgets something in his car that is in the shop for a timing belt and a heater core. Service Advisor takes him into the shop to retrieve the item and he finds the car all apart. Most people would ****.

 

Spare Parts... always good for a laugh. I make damn sure I don't have any spare parts. But when my neighbor or someones around I'll scratch my head and hold up a used part and say "gee i wonder what this was for?"

I can still do that to my wife... it totally freaks her out when I'm working on the car.

 

thats all didnt finnish my work yet too chatty neighbors

 

If by an act of god this car is still running after another 90k, i'll replace 'em all with the correct ones