Steve Addy
Top Post Dawg
Call from Chubs today, my TDI MFA cluster should be back to me Wednesday.
Steve
Steve
The "What did you do to your B4 today" thread...
- Thread starter Windex
- Start date
Col Sanders
Veteran Member
Thanks Steve. The Chubs post reminds me to call for a appointment. I need a couple wires in the computer moved. Over my head. Nice little drive in the country for me. As you know, I've been there twice. Derek is a whiz on this stuff. I won't mention this is on my A4. Mods will kick me off here and over to the never read swap threads. lol. No B4 no mo. Did I say that!
Drove the black B4 daily driver to multiple locations with no issues. Came out from my last stop late in the day and it would not start. Cluster lights and needles operated normally when I turned the key in ignition, but turning the key in the ignition resulted in engine doing nothing. It turns out that the starter wire plug pigtail had become unplugged. Close examination revealed that the wire clip that holds it snug and in place, was missing. Is this something to start watching for ie that the clips will deteriorate off the many connectors in the engine bay and pop off on their own, or was this a freak accident?
Steve Addy
Top Post Dawg
Haha, yeah he's not all that far from you.
Got my cluster back a few days back, have been gone for Easter so not installed yet. I also have to do a little rewiring in the cluster harness and under the hood to handle the additional led light for coolant GP activity.
Steve
TDIDaveNH
Left Lane Coal Roller at Large
Changed the oil and rotated tires, replaced 2 tires and discovered an outside CV boot in my future as well as excessive play in the left inner tie rod- that one goes right to the top of the list.
john.jackson9213
Top Post Dawg
Had to replace the battery in my wagon Sunday. Old one lasted 4 years and 3 months. Got some money off the $150 replacement batter - $85 out the door. Both new and old batteries were from WalMart. Size H8, biggest battery I could find. Think it is a replacement for the old Group 49 size battery. A very tight fit on the stock location.
sootful
Active member
Fuel guage on cluster suddenly went inop. I found a mouse nest over the fuel tank sender and the wires had been chewed through. Cleaned and reconnected. I have guage again! Yeah.
TBOxnitemare
Well-known member
Finished up my exciter wire/oil pressure/voltage switch panel and pod install. Also ordered front bearings and full strut assembly for both sides.
nh nam vet
Veteran Member
I don't know how, but my DD 1997 B4 TDI surpassed 350K miles:
Does anyone make transportation appliances that will run 350k miles now? I have to figure that every one who passes me on the highway now at [75 - 85 MPH) is making payments for 5 -7 years. Blissful life in 2018.
My back up plan 1997 B4 TDI has 100K less miles; and my 1996 B4 TDI back up plan part 2 , (purchased in 2017 for $250) has 180K miles.
It's just a battle of old age versus rust...Who will win????
The clock never stops. No Contest. Enjoy every day, and keep the B4 TDI parts in production and available. What a thrill ride. Jeff Gerst
Does anyone make transportation appliances that will run 350k miles now? I have to figure that every one who passes me on the highway now at [75 - 85 MPH) is making payments for 5 -7 years. Blissful life in 2018.
My back up plan 1997 B4 TDI has 100K less miles; and my 1996 B4 TDI back up plan part 2 , (purchased in 2017 for $250) has 180K miles.
It's just a battle of old age versus rust...Who will win????
The clock never stops. No Contest. Enjoy every day, and keep the B4 TDI parts in production and available. What a thrill ride. Jeff Gerst
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TBOxnitemare
Well-known member
Changed the wind shield wipers out for Bosch ones, tired of them bouncing. Replaced the puck grommet to the valve cover, mine was leaking.
Also searched my garage for 10mm nuts for my two new emergency brake lines and inspected my new front bearings/hubs that are going in over the weekend.
Also searched my garage for 10mm nuts for my two new emergency brake lines and inspected my new front bearings/hubs that are going in over the weekend.
TBOxnitemare
Well-known member
Todd - here is that picture of my switch box and pod gauges.
http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=127659&title=96-tdi-pods-and-switch-panel&cat=500
http://pics.tdiclub.com/showphoto.php?photo=127659&title=96-tdi-pods-and-switch-panel&cat=500
iluvmydiesels
Veteran Member
any good suggestions to put back on a lower radiator hose? i have all the other hoses on, that one theres nearly no space, i can barely get one hand near hose, lower rad. am trying to use like an extension and tap and push some, having some luck, am going to try again
if i would have known i probably would have just left that hose, it was one of the best hoses on car, prob was ok, audi/vw markings, unfortunately in my smartness i slice all the hoses so esp i could get stock clamps off. oh well, if i recall i got hose kit from PP, the one hose from W-P to flange(+cooler) didnt fit right, ended up having to order one from advanced, just got it, not a hard install, the same hose from napa $60+, i couldnt believe it its a $25 hose, from a non-vw store.
if i would have known i probably would have just left that hose, it was one of the best hoses on car, prob was ok, audi/vw markings, unfortunately in my smartness i slice all the hoses so esp i could get stock clamps off. oh well, if i recall i got hose kit from PP, the one hose from W-P to flange(+cooler) didnt fit right, ended up having to order one from advanced, just got it, not a hard install, the same hose from napa $60+, i couldnt believe it its a $25 hose, from a non-vw store.
Steve Addy
Top Post Dawg
Do you mean that you can't get the plastic flange back on the thermostat flange or that you can't get the lower rad hose on the 90 degree plastic flange?
If your problem is with getting the two flanges back together then I would lube the o-ring a little with oil or silicone spray. If you force it the o-ring will tear.
Steve
iluvmydiesels
Veteran Member
im trying to get lower radiator hose on radiator flange, no space to get even a full hand and be able to work it on.
Steve Addy
Top Post Dawg
Oh on that side, yeah good luck with that one. that's a tough spot to get to. Are you trying from above or below?
Steve
iluvmydiesels
Veteran Member
both, im alternating, right now i have the hose on the flange lip, taking a break, have 3/8" long extension and plastic hammer, i use it to pry, move, tap and am going to try to work on.
both of the hoses i got, one from PP(iir) and now one from advanced, from W-P to head flange, w/cooler, it doesnt fit exact, both the flange side i had to trim, and add hose+connector i got from plumbing shop, the cooler hose, this one is the upper 1, doesnt quite fit, its slightly tight, kinked, doubt i have a worry. with i trimmed the flange side the opening that would slide over the flange went away, hence put on a little bit of hose i think i have a pex fitting in there, and trim the hose some more to fit, 3 clamps, pita, and so many clamps there is also a pain.
both of the hoses i got, one from PP(iir) and now one from advanced, from W-P to head flange, w/cooler, it doesnt fit exact, both the flange side i had to trim, and add hose+connector i got from plumbing shop, the cooler hose, this one is the upper 1, doesnt quite fit, its slightly tight, kinked, doubt i have a worry. with i trimmed the flange side the opening that would slide over the flange went away, hence put on a little bit of hose i think i have a pex fitting in there, and trim the hose some more to fit, 3 clamps, pita, and so many clamps there is also a pain.
iluvmydiesels
Veteran Member
got it!! 
, took some doing to switch out all hoses, and such.
as i had a post about my 'water troubles'. as it turned out had a plastic w-pump in it, it now has a metal one, had a metal gasket in it, has one now as well. so with all the water system done, and a 90dg or 92dg thermo i ll see now how she warms up and such. just hav to put pulleys back on and belts. holds water. ready-to-go-->
, took some doing to switch out all hoses, and such. as i had a post about my 'water troubles'. as it turned out had a plastic w-pump in it, it now has a metal one, had a metal gasket in it, has one now as well. so with all the water system done, and a 90dg or 92dg thermo i ll see now how she warms up and such. just hav to put pulleys back on and belts. holds water. ready-to-go-->
TBOxnitemare
Well-known member
Replaced my front drivers side wheel bearing and hub. FAG bearing and Meyle hub. Clearances were tight and it took a little muscle to get them seated but all is tight again and I'm satisfied. Passenger side wheel bearing will be done this week. I refuse to use the slide hammer again to pull the hub it was a total nightmare and useless. I ended up taking the spindle completely off and hammering a socket on the back side of the hub. Two smacks with a 2 lb hammer and it fell out. Decided I'm just going to remove the passenger side and have a shop press it out.
Also installed my new strut assemblies and a string alignment until I finish the other bearing next week. After that I'll get it professionally aligned.
Also installed my new strut assemblies and a string alignment until I finish the other bearing next week. After that I'll get it professionally aligned.
Abacus
That helpful B4 guy
iluvmydiesels
Veteran Member
TBO, im a little confused on you pulling the old hub out. if your just pulling a hub out/off, theres a few bolts to take off, strut bolts come off, leave 1 bolt hanging in, i think the tie rod end nut has to come off, then the part, take ball joint bolt, &nut off. then to get the hub off where it is on the ball joint, neat thing get a pry bar and 'split' the opening @ball joint, pry it open and hub should just slip off. if this was the 'hang up' you had--.
iluvmydiesels
Veteran Member
yea, i see my confusion, i take the whole thing, to my shop to get it pressed. i was a little confused as to the hub, for me i can take it as the whole and/or complete knuckle. i have an old blue-point tool, think mine works for mk1s, tried it on my mk2, didnt seem to fit. presses out and in bearings and i figure the hub as well, not really that difficult, if you have the right tool. id have to get a pic of it. its a good sized threaded tool, has a mix so you can press out a bearing into a sleeve on tool, with different sizes(sleeves and presses).
iluvmydiesels
Veteran Member
yep abacus' kit is it, only mine is older. and well blu-point, so its about snap-on.
ToddA1
Top Post Dawg
Not that it helps the OP, since he doesn’t own a press, but I take the entire strut/knuckle assembly to the press.
Camber isn’t disturbed and no alignment is needed. Sockets and old bearing races are my arbors.
I’ve considered the kit, but I don’t do bearings that often. My press cost less than the kit and it gets more use, since it’s not a single purpose tool.
-Todd
Camber isn’t disturbed and no alignment is needed. Sockets and old bearing races are my arbors.
I’ve considered the kit, but I don’t do bearings that often. My press cost less than the kit and it gets more use, since it’s not a single purpose tool.
-Todd
iluvmydiesels
Veteran Member
even your local shop to get to press, isnt very expensive. shouldnt be. drop both off, hopefully pick up before closing. if you can pick up earlier, you can put them in before it gets dark.
you just need at least one of those circlips per side.
you just need at least one of those circlips per side.
IndigoBlueWagon
TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Yesterday took the B4 to a local dealer to test drive an NMS Passat. Manual transmission, probably soon to be a unicorn. Honestly I like the B4 better.
When I was leaving the showroom the service manager found me and said everyone in the service department was checking out my B4 because they never see any and mine is so clean (well, reasonably clean). Funny how the oldest car at the dealership was getting the most attention.
When I was leaving the showroom the service manager found me and said everyone in the service department was checking out my B4 because they never see any and mine is so clean (well, reasonably clean). Funny how the oldest car at the dealership was getting the most attention.