Above 1200 Sq/FT 86's 20HP shop

[bowtiguy]

Possibly a bad sensor? C5 vettes are known for this

 

[bulletpruf]

Well in the never ending *** kick, i took the audi to town this morning for a pharmacy run. about 6 to 7 miles down the road, the low oil pressure light came on. Called my daughter to come get me. We went to town and ran the errands, then we stopped at the car and topped up oil, which wasn't that low. Went about 3-4 miles before the light came on again. Did it 3 times on the way home. A shut down for a few seconds fixes it momentarily. I have a theory that there is junk in the oil pan slowly filling up the pickup, after you shut it down, the **** drops off. I'm putting it back on the lift today and check oil pressure.

I'm so tired of this.

Kind of like driving an old car with junk in the fuel tank. My '69 GTO Judge beater would do that to me -- the Ram Air 400 would be cruising along just fine and then it would start surging. I just had to pull over to the side of the road, kill it, wait a minute or so, and then start it up and drive like nothing happened...well, until it happened again.

 

[86turbodsl]

Don't think it would like the weather in the Great White North...

I'm sure this is true.

 

[86turbodsl]

Possibly a bad sensor? C5 vettes are known for this

I have it back in the shop. I will put a pressure gage on it today.

 

[SilverJimmy]

Frozen Corrosion……

 

[68400BIRD]

The oil sending unit on my 2003 HD truck had a plugged screen and was showing low oil pressure. Replaced and all better. My 1986 Mazada pick up showed low oil pressure. It had a leak where the wire attached. Hope it’s something simple.

 

[86turbodsl]

I am hoping it is the switch, although the timing of it is curious. Why do this RIGHT after being off the road so long? Coincidence?

On another note, i brought something else home yesterday.

As you know, we just had snowpocalypse '24, and got dumped on by 10" of snow. The temp forecast tonight is -10F. Wheee...

I was sitting on the couch with the wife, surfing facebook marketplace, always a dangerous occupation, and an item popped up for an unbelievable price. A Woods ST400 snowblower attachment for my new zero turn. For $125. I quickly asked about it, and an hour later, got a response, still available. You'd think this would be 500 miles away, but nope. It was about an hour away. I asked the wife if she wanted to go on a road trip for the afternoon, and she agreed. We jumped in the truck and got on the road. An hour and a bit later, we were looking at a BRAND NEW snowblower, specifically made as an attachment for my new zero turn. Needs nothing. No project.
There's even paint on the INSIDE of the chute and the auger still has all the paint on it. The guy got it when he bought his kubota compact tractor, the previous owner didn't know anything about it but that it must go with the tractor. Nobody has ever used it.

Now i'm on the lookout for a cab with heater....

 

[Seagoon]

I'm glad to see something go right at last.

If you can't find the cab, buy some heated clothing.....

 

[bulletpruf]

I am hoping it is the switch, although the timing of it is curious. Why do this RIGHT after being off the road so long? Coincidence?

On another note, i brought something else home yesterday.

As you know, we just had snowpocalypse '24, and got dumped on by 10" of snow. The temp forecast tonight is -10F. Wheee...

I was sitting on the couch with the wife, surfing facebook marketplace, always a dangerous occupation, and an item popped up for an unbelievable price. A Woods ST400 snowblower attachment for my new zero turn. For $125. I quickly asked about it, and an hour later, got a response, still available. You'd think this would be 500 miles away, but nope. It was about an hour away. I asked the wife if she wanted to go on a road trip for the afternoon, and she agreed. We jumped in the truck and got on the road. An hour and a bit later, we were looking at a BRAND NEW snowblower, specifically made as an attachment for my new zero turn. Needs nothing. No project.
There's even paint on the INSIDE of the chute and the auger still has all the paint on it. The guy got it when he bought his kubota compact tractor, the previous owner didn't know anything about it but that it must go with the tractor. Nobody has ever used it.

Now i'm on the lookout for a cab with heater....

Some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield...

 

[bimmer1980]

Pics of the blower? Regardless, sounds to be a great purchase!!! Awesome!

We'll be waiting to see it blowing some snow!

 

[86turbodsl]

I'm glad to see something go right at last.

If you can't find the cab, buy some heated clothing.....

My wife bought me some heated socks for christmas. The batteries go flat amazingly fast.

 

[86turbodsl]

I will get you some blower photos. I used the tractor this afternoon in the sun (as much warmth as we were getting... 1F) to plow a path from the shop to the mower. The thing was sitting outside unfortunately with all the stuff moving around this fall. Then i got the big forklift running, man was that thing unhappy at that temp, and forked the mower into the shop. Threw the salamander on it and got it warmed up enough to start. Flipped it around once it was running and getting ready to mount it. I found a missing bracket for the lift mechanism. Pretty easy fab job if the seller can't find it. It would cost me about the same amount of time to fab it as to run and get it. He's checking now.

Meanwhile, the salamander is heating up the snow off the seat. Once it's all nice and warm, i'll mount up what i have.

The temp was so cold, when i went to move the tractor from the side of the garage the rubber shifter boot just said NOPE and cracked out all the way around the handle. Now i have to park it under cover until i get a new boot. Rain will go straight into the trans if i don't. ah the fun of the north...

 

[Seagoon]

My wife bought me some heated socks for christmas. The batteries go flat amazingly fast.

If the mower has an alternator just wire your socks direct. Just remember to unplug before you get off.....

 

[86turbodsl]

If the mower has an alternator just wire your socks direct. Just remember to unplug before you get off.....

trip hazard....

 

[86turbodsl]

Here's the photos.


There's supposed to be a bracket on the right side of the last photo. I'm going to have to fab one.

 

[kent_323is]

That's a good score on the snow "THROWER". It is not a blower, as it doesn't have the 2nd stage blower.
It's not going to blow the snow nearly as far, but if you have the engine rev'd up good, it will probably do a decent job, particularly if the snow is light and fluffy. Pretty awesome it is the exact fit for your mower, even with some limitations, this will be a nice improvement.
If you get wet and heavy snow, I would avoid using this, as it will be more likely to plug up. I've been there with a JD snow thrower.

 

[86turbodsl]

Thanks. It's rated 3-30ft. I'd assume 30ft is the powder rating. I don't think grasshopper/woods ever made a 2 stage. I'm aware those are much better, but something is better than nothing. I have the tractor still, but this will take care of the occasional 12-15" snow that i just can't deal with on the tractor. Once it gets beyond the bottom of the loader frame, it just gets stuck, even with the chains. And once that tractor is stuck, there's nothing else here that can get it out other than digging.

I ran to Alro this morning, they had the oddball size square bar that the mount needs. I have an appt this afternoon, but once that's done, i'll get to work on the mount and hopefully i can blow a little this evening.

 

[86turbodsl]

Well so much for getting to try out my new snowTHROWER. My neighbor showed up unannounced and plowed my whole driveway out. He's done that to me before after i got a plow and other items. i absolutely HATE being on other people's schedules. If i needed plowed out i will ASK. !#$!@#%!%.

 

[86turbodsl]

I put a real diagnostic pressure gage on the Audi. Cold idle 55-60 psi. Ran until hot. 15 idle, 30ish at 3000. Shut off and let sit, restart didn't really change it. Hoping the pressure switch which I replaced last summer is just ****.

 

[bimmer1980]

Well, look at it this way, he was attempting to do you a good turn. It's a change of mind set, but mentally thank him for saving you some work and get on with something else.

I'm sure you're in an area that will get more snow.....

If you were my neighbor and I saw your struggles, I would have plowed it too, thinking I was doing a good deed........

As it sits right now, we are getting snow and the skid steer is ready....

 

[kent_323is]

I'd take it as a win and be grateful! You didn't have to go outside and break anything, and you saved the time.

Quite frankly, it sounds like he has the ideal equipment, and he probably enjoys using it to clear snow, and so it was just extra fun for him. Thank him next time you see him, and everyone is happy.

 

[86turbodsl]

Yeah big tractor with heated cab. he probably figured i didn't want to go out in the subzero.

Wife told me the snowthrower was cheap insurance. She's probably right.

 

[86turbodsl]

Wicked cold out last night, but i did manage to get out into the shop and pull the timing belt cover on the pass side. There's oil all over in behind the cover. So i definitely have issues to address. The parts cannon got fired yesterday so i should have everything i need for this weekend if the shippers don't drop the ball. The sucky part is the whole front end needs to come back off... ugh.

 

[86turbodsl]

Been a bit of a slow week in the shop, it's been too cold to build much desire for it. BUT, i did get out to the shop last night, got both top cam covers pulled off, and watched the car warm up. First thing i noticed was the cam phaser was wobbling on the passenger exhaust cam. There was occasional drops of oil flinging off between the parts of the cam gear. I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to be that way.

So i went online and started digging. The phasers are no longer available, and last prices available were ~ 1000 usd each. Nope.
I found a few used ones on ebay. anywhere from 200 to 1000.

Then i kept digging. I found an old TSB from Audi discussing DTC's on cam phasers. Then it said check for leaks on the phaser and low oil pressure. Then it said DO NOT REPLACE PHASER, replace gasket and seals, and TIGHTEN cam phaser screws to spec. Apparently they had problems with the fasteners loosening up. SO, it sounds like i should be able to address this with just gaskets and seals that are incoming.

So that's the likely cause of my low oil pressure and leakage.
I'm still going to pull the oil pan and check inlet for debris. I did have some rtv gaskets replaced while it was down. Could be an issue i guess.

 

[86turbodsl]

Ugh. Neighbor did it again. I'm never going to get to blow snow...

 

[bimmer1980]

Eh, channel your energies towards actual work on projects...... You got a multiple choice option there.....

I'm sure there are random areas that you could try your snow thrower.. maybe once he sees you out with it, he'll know you have some equipment.....

Any pics of the oil leakage on the Audi? I've read what you have about it, but as they say about pics.......

 

[86turbodsl]

that's what mom said. i still have a few places i can i guess. I need to get the blower out of the shop anyway.

Hard to show the leakage it's basically just a stripe across the frame rail. I will show pics of the carnage once i get into it.
I hope to be working on it shortly, once i get the blower out of the shop.

The oil pan is coming off this weekend to check the inlet for blockage also.

 

[86turbodsl]

Finally got this going this morning. Still fighting run issues I had in the summer. Doesn't like load.

 

[bimmer1980]

Good to see the snow thrower out .... too bad about the run issues. Any suspicion as to why?

How much were you actually able to use it?

With the run issues, does it make you happier or more understanding of the value of your neighborhood plowing for you?

Regardless, hopefully you can get the Audi and the mower issues resolved.

It is a delight when things finally work as they should...

 

[86turbodsl]

It's some sort of fuel issue. Yeah I appreciate the neighbor now. I just had the tractor and blade out and the tractor overheated all over the place. So now I have that to fix also...

 

[86turbodsl]

So i didn't get a lot done this weekend, fighting the subzero temps is not fun. I did manage to pull the oil pan off and confirm no cloggage.



Overall, things look pretty good. While i'm in there, i am pulling off the oil pipes and putting in new o-rings. There's 4 of em, goes from oil pump to filter, and filter to block. The orings are a little flat, but not broken i think. Then put it back together and move on to the cam phaser. Parts from fcp still haven't shipped. Customer service was useless.

 

[SilverJimmy]

I really don’t understand Audi. When new their pricing seems to be on par with their siblings from VW and Porsche, then when all the maintenance and parts issues start to surface their value drops like a flat rock into Lake Erie! Maybe I’m not seeing the bigger picture? Sorry if I’ve offended any Audi fans, just what I’ve noticed after 30+ years in the automotive industry.

 

[SilverJimmy]

And as a side note, the technology and design Audi brings to the automotive world is amazing, I lust for a R8! Just don’t have that much loot to spend on a car!

 

[86turbodsl]

I really don’t understand Audi. When new their pricing seems to be on par with their siblings from VW and Porsche, then when all the maintenance and parts issues start to surface their value drops like a flat rock into Lake Erie! Maybe I’m not seeing the bigger picture? Sorry if I’ve offended any Audi fans, just what I’ve noticed after 30+ years in the automotive industry.

it's like all the other manufacturers, an upscale brand parts binned a lot of the time from the mothership. they do things differently than a lot of other makes. Their direction on things aligns with my desires so i like them. They are DIY friendly, parts are a little cheaper than BMW or MBZ so that's a win. They tend to terrify people who aren't into them, so used cars are nearly free. I like that too.
It's not for everybody that's for sure. I support everybody's ability to choose what they like!

 

[86turbodsl]

And as a side note, the technology and design Audi brings to the automotive world is amazing, I lust for a R8! Just don’t have that much loot to spend on a car!

Vorsprung Dursh Technik!

 

[86turbodsl]

Still no sign of shipping anything from my vendor, so i ordered gaskets i need from rock auto.

 

[86turbodsl]

In a true murphy moment, my FCP parts shipped 1 HR after i placed my rockauto order. Some days you win, some days you lose. I must be on vacation on win days....

 

[86turbodsl]

Well fun night so far... my son drove into the sloppy snow bank in the yard and got stuck. i had nothing to pull him out with so he called the neighbor to come pull him out and i had to lay in the slop to attach the rope to his truck. More than once. I had to wring my underwear out.

It's not snowing anymore, but it's not nice out.

 

[bowtiguy]

Well fun night so far... my son drove into the sloppy snow bank in the yard and got stuck. i had nothing to pull him out with so he called the neighbor to come pull him out and i had to lay in the slop to attach the rope to his truck. More than once. I had to wring my underwear out.

It's not snowing anymore, but it's not nice out.

Uh, isn't the rule. “ you stick it, you clip it”

 

[86turbodsl]

Uh, isn't the rule. “ you stick it, you clip it”

The kid knows nothing. I have 100% confidence if i had told him to attach a tow strap to it, he would do it wrong, and i'd be mad and under there anyway doing it for him. I didn't appreciate HIM getting mad at me though when i showed my annoyance at having to deal with his mess.