Project 97 A8: Grape Ape

[Golfatron3]

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[DUBZAK]

Update on this beotch.

Water Pump Exploded on the way to work....So Timing Belt Service was up.

The tear down started.


And got to a few stubborn items.

Heat Seized Water Pump Bolt.... resolved by drilling the head off, and then torching, and vice grips. Problem solved.



Harmonic Balancer Bolt, Stripped.
Drilled out too....




ABZ Camshaft Locking Tools. I cheated for the harmonic balance too, but needed these to lock the cams in, Finding TDC on the Crank is Easy.






^Parts stash.....Because with the bumper off, and the timing cover with the engine damper off, the oil cooler was coming out.



These oil coolers have a water pipe from the block, similar to VR6's, should be called a "crack pipe"


Took the opportunity to clean this beast, and rebuilt the oil cooler. Reassembled everything with a new Conti Tech Timing Belt Kit, New Tenstioner Damper and Rollers. New Harmonic Balancer Hardware and Crank Pulley Bolt. Replaced the Passenger side Timing Cover as well.... Boom.








Also replaced the cam cover seals, crank seal, Small Cooling Fan, Upper Radiator hose. Even after all this love, #5 Injector went haywire. Lost the DS Turn Signal Lens (The corner lights were crumbling when I took them apart).

So I had more to do still........

[DUBZAK]

Still Leaking Oil, I decided to do the valve covers, and well had an idea that the breathers were bad.




How bad were they? haha "JUST" bad.




Amazing Transformations.


While apart, replaced the Injector, and buttoned it up. Runs smoother than it has in a while.

More to come....

Lower Control Arms, Front Pads, and Rear Pads and Rotors.

[DUBZAK]

[DUBZAK]

Well, while waiting for some clear corner markers to come in, the starter decided 179K miles was all it was going to make.....died in a friends driveway.

Luckily, I lived close, and he also being an automotive nut we had the tools.....

Grape Ape, The Story Continues.



Just a dirty pan, lol not just my coolant.

So after removing the Timing Cover, the Alternator, the Oil Cooler again, the Motor mount bracket is the last thing holding the starter.





Replaced the mount with a NEW OEM. Starter with a Genuine Bosch remanufactured OEM Unit. $$$.


Cannot skimp on this car....no alternative parts that cross over or are used on other models.

Reassemble!!!!


And when I got home, the Clear little square blinkers are able to be picked up from the post office, and the clear corners arrived yesterday.
Installed, and pimping again.




Needs a detail, but all is well.

[alexandermjoyce]

PS with some Rake and Lows.

lovely!