Audi A3, 1.9 TDI 90 h.p. 1999, manual transmission, around 340000 km
Hello, recently I hit my car in a concrete block on a parking lot(didn’t see the concrete block) and as I inspected the car, there was no severe damage, most of it was in the exterior, but when I opened the hood I noticed that there was a part that was cracked. After hours of research I saw that this was the intercooler. So my question is should I buy the intercooler and change it myself(I don’t have much tools) or to buy a new intercooler and just take it to a mechanic to do the work for me.
Really it depends on how difficult the job is and your comfort level in doing it. How much stuff is in the way? Audis are not known for being particularly easy to work on.
If you go to a mechanic you should check first about bringing your own parts. Some mechanics don't want to work that way because they have to guarantee the job. Also if the mechanic agrees to use your part and it turns out to be defective (all too common these days) you would have to pay the additional labor to swap it out.
I think the only things in the way are the front bumper I the right headlight. The only thing that bothers me is that I might need some special tools for that and I might need to jack it as well.
I would take a closer look at what the actual procedure is. Who knows what kind of unexpected problems you may run into. Probably best to find a shop manual that goes into detail.
Hm, great suggestion, I will look into it, but so far there is little to no info how the intercooler is changed on this particular car. They show it only in a mechanic store with the car lifted. Given that I don’t have this type of equipment I am thinking of taking it to a mechanic