Engine bay ideas for a driver
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,292
Likes: 436
From: St. Louis
Engine bay ideas for a driver 
Yes she's a mess. Everything you see here has 203,xxx miles on it but still functions fine. It's a 2002 Z28 A4 GU2. Only mods on this car from stock are Poly bushings in all the good spots, aluminium driveshaft from a 3.23 car and a magnaflow muffler on the stock pipes.
I'm replacing my long block due to a broken valve spring catastrophe with an LQ4 that I am building so I guess what I'm asking you guys is there anything you regret not doing when you were at the same point I am at currently? What are some things ya'll would recommend to do while you have the engine out of your car? Keep in mind I deliver pizza with this baby it's not a show car!
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 25
From: Waterford, MI
Since it's just your daily, nothing special, the only thing I could think of would be remove anything if you don't think it's necessary or doesn't work. A/C, ABS, cruise, etc. Maybe clean up a little bit if there's oil left from an old leak so you know if you have a leak again in the future. Most underhood mods are cosmetic though; wire tuck, repaint......
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 103
Likes: 18
Flip the bolts on the steering rack, check torque on all bolts that you now have easy access to (engine mount pedestals, steering rack, things like that), snug up the fittings on all lines you now have easy accesss to (power steering lines, abs module lines, ac compressor lines on the back of the compressor), scrutinize every inch of the wiring harnesses for abrasions or cracked insulation or scuff marks (peel back wire loom if any is worn through and check wires inside that area), inspect steering intermediate column and the u-joint well, check the bottom of the radiator well for any potential cracks near the tanks, inspect all bushings and suspension components, check the area around the master cylinder well for any seepage, inspect all ac lines and fittings for abrasions and leaks, if the ac worked well, might not be a bad idea to replace the orifice tube, then degrease the bay and clean, clean, clean.
Extend you head grounds to bolt them somewhere accessible. If you have the cash, do a tubular K. All repairs going forward are easier. More access. Coat the engine compartment in lizard skin
