As the car is new to you and you are going to the work of removing the diesel filter I would recommend going a bit further on dismantling and change nos 4 & 3 glow plugs whilst you are at it. It may stop some cursing next cold spell when the engine wont start! I have a post which will help you on 'how to'. If you test the glows afterwards and they still work just keep as spares for nos 1&2 which are easier to change.

chrisr1806 wrote:

Was it hard to fit the mudflaps?

Well, finally got a chance to finish off the rest of the service today.

Using a vacuum operated fluid extractor, I removed as much of the rear axle oil and refilled that with fresh oil. Same with the power steering fluid. For the auto gearbox, I got it up to working temperature and removed the level plug with the engine running. Nothing came out so I gradually topped it up through the filler plug until it started to just drip out of the level plug. Took about 300ml.

Last week when I checked the axle oil levels, I thought that the front was a bit low but on checking the proceure, you have ti first fill the front axle/transfer casing and then REMOVE 120ml of oil. That's why it looked low then! I'll leave that a it is supposed to be changed at 75,000 miles.

Fuel filter. After reading the horror stories associated with air locks on here when changing the fuel filter I was expecting major grief but it went easy. I completely removed the long water drain plastic bolt, blocked the drain hole with a tapered rubber bung, connected a length of rubber fuel hose to the top opening and with a very small funnel attached to the hose, I filled the filter until fuel came out of everywhere! Fitted the new filter and and started the engine. No problem EXCEPT I got an engine warning lamp and message on the dash! This was because I had run the engine with the air filter airflow meter disconnected so be warned! Wasn't a problem for me as we have a fault code reader and I just cleared the fault.

Pollen filter. Looking at it I thought it was going to be harder than it was simply because of the size and shape of the filter and the limited access under the dash. Turned out not to be too bad if you 'curl' the filter as you remove it then curl and then straighten it when refitting. You'll know what I mean when you do it! Had real trouble trying to refit the access flap door for the pollen filter until someone pointed out that I was trying to fit the door on backwards.

Apart from replacing a couple of valves on the front tyres because the last person that fitted new tyres had fitted long ones instead of short ones, that was it. Hopefully that will be it maintenance-wise for the next 12 months. We'll see!

Just remembered that I haven't reset the service indicator but Mrs D is out in it at the moment so I'll do that when she gets home later - no special tools needed.

Oh, and my rear spoiler that was going to be put on hold arrived today. Coudn't wait. Getting it painted and I'll fit it this week. Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.