Anybody DIY servicing their S8?

[Duffy]

Other than Ian of course?

I'm picking up my 2008 S8 on Friday and it's due a service (not been near a dealer since 2013 and 18K miles)

I've got the recommended service schedule. Anything outwith that that's a 'must' for the enthusiast owner?

I'm thinking along the lines of carbon cleaning, lubricating the throttle flaps etc etc.

I've got VCDS and a big hammer and I'm not afraid to use them!

[Sir WIll]

Sounds lovely

[David's8]

Whilst I know you are talking D3 here, I try to undertake most - if not all -the work myself. Oil change, fluid changes, coolant, air filter. (One thing that is strange is that the power steering pump fluid is not on the list to be changed at any specified interval - but I did mine recently anyway as its supposed to .)
To be frank, most of the rest of the standard service work (which you pay for)on the D2 list is visual checks - e.g. engine for leaks or damage, ditto exhaust, joint gaiters, brake pad thickness. Some of these I do myself but I have to say that I tend to rely on the MoT for inspecting the track rod ends, suspension control arms as you really need a lift for that.
To be frank, there is nothing else that I can think of apart from keeping an eye on the general state of things - keep the engine bay clean so you can see leaks, give it a weekly visual inspection under the bonnet for leaks, checking tension of the belts, taking the covers off and checking the manifold actuators etc etc and above all, listen to it both with the bonnet up and, of course, when driving.

[Duffy]

Thanks

I'm very familiar with servicing the D2 S8 and spannering in general (I did the cambelt on my last one) I'm just trying to get a feel for the pitfalls of the D3 5.2 V10 and anything that's coming onto the radar, long term, and which can be DIY'd.

I've got a copy of the Audi service schedule items (which I'll follow) it's just the items outwith that I'm looking for a voice of experience on.

[David's8]

Not having known your previous experience, I guess what I was trying to say that, in general, unless there is something really requiring specialist inspection/tools, most service items are well within the enthusiasts grasp - but you knew that already! Obviously i cannot speak for the D3 5.2 V10which is, of course, what you wanted to hear.

[Delboy]

If your competent on the spanners and hammers, equipped with the correct tools and reading material and of course vcds then I don't see any reason why you can't its just like any other car apart from there is more plugs etc.

If you do decide to strip the inlet manifold off and decoke it I and others would be grateful for a well documented how to.

[Duffy]

That's very much my feel for it but there's not a huge amount on the net about people DIY'ing the V10's.

I've got ETKA a genuine HEX+CAN Rosstech cable and, as mentioned, several big hammers.

The inlet manifold clean looks fairly straightforward albeit the only extra thing I'd try and do is maintain positive pressure inside the cylinder using a spark plug compression adapter, something like this would do

https://www.ajsutton.co.uk/product/U...FezHtAod1CwA1g

I've got a inspection camera so will give it all a good look first.

We'll see what goes wrong and I'll keep you updated.

[Delboy]

How was you going to clean it, just wondering what the need for pressurizing the cylinder, that type of tool is to keep the valves closed when changing things like springs or valve stem seals.

If I was to do a decoke I would look into getting the walnut shell blasting equipment, and some suitable bungs for the open ports, and obviously only work on one at time with it at TDC.

[Duffy]

Originally Posted by Delboy

How was you going to clean it, just wondering what the need for pressurizing the cylinder, that type of tool is to keep the valves closed when changing things like springs or valve stem seals.

If I was to do a decoke I would look into getting the walnut shell blasting equipment, and some suitable bungs for the open ports, and obviously only work on one at time with it at TDC.

BMW do a cleaning agent that's meant to be excellent for this.

Pressurising the cylinder is a belt and braces approach to stopping anything going into the cylinder and yes I'd do it at TDC so all the valves are closed.

Wee brushes and plastic scrapers would appear to be the order of the day along with an expendable vacuum cleaner (need to be careful with that as the stuff is inflammable and you don't want to end up with a DIY jet turbine)

[pwacka8]

Just wondering a something like Terraclean could do a job decokeing , i think thats the main aim of Terraclean was to remove deposits from the engine.