used-car reconditioning

[Kent McLean]

Now that I have another new-to-me Audi ('91 200 20V TQA), I thought I'd
put a plan together with the goal of adding it to the Knowledgebase.
Here is my first draft of what to do to get a tired old Audi back into
fighting trim.  I broke the tasks/systems into 4 groups: safety,
reliability, comfort, and performance. I figure the items should be
addressed in that order, although some may want to ignore the last one,
or switch the last two. YMMV.

Before I turn the following list into a Twiki version for the KB
(maybe/probably with added comments), I'd like the collective input of
those who've been there, done that.  Suggestions, additions,
alterations, Audi-specific points, and other comments will be greatly
appreciated.

My Twiki plan is to keep this as a check list, with links to other Twiki
pages to give detail about a given topic. And sorry, but it won't happen
overnight.

-- 
Kent McLean
'91 200 TQA, no name yet
'94 100S Avant, "Moody"
'89 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke


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Used-Car Reconditioning Checklist

SAFETY

	Brakes
		lines, seals, pads, leaks, flushing, bleeding,
		rear caliper pin, emergency brake
	Tires
		age cracks, wear patterns, total wear
	Steering
		rack, control arms, PS, hydraulic leaks, alignment
	Suspension
		bushings, shocks, control arms
	Exhaust
		leaks, catalytic converter
	Lights
		cracked lenses, pitted lenses, relays, e-code lights
	Windshield
		cracks, dings, pits
	Wipers
		arms, blades

RELIABILITY

	Battery
		age, charge, connections, acid leaks, electrical drains
	Alternator
		output, voltage regulator, belts, cables
	Ignition
		switch (Audi weak spot), wires, distributor pins,
		coils, POS, coil-packs
	Sensors
		TPS, MAF, ABS, temperature, knock, O2, RPM sensor
	Other Electrics
		door jamb wires, instrument cluster connections,
		battery-to-alternator splice
	Fuel
		fuel pump, relay, rusty fuel lines, rusty fuel tank
	Timing Belt plus
		T-belt, seals, water pump, t-stat, pulley bearings
	Cooling System
		hoses, clamps, radiator core, t-stat, reservoir,
	Heater Core
		core, bleeding

COMFORT

	AC
		hoses, compressor, evaporator, condenser,
		convert to R134A
	Heat
		blower motor, vent flaps, squealing fan-in-dash
	Seats
		seat heaters, comfort or sport, leather conditioning
	Audio
		stock or after-market,
		speakers, head unit, amp, i-pod/mp3
		
PERFORMANCE

	Brakes
		brakes pads; G60, UFO, BIRA options; stock v SS hoses
	Suspension
		springs, camber plates, bushings, coil-overs
	Engine
		blueprint, port and polish, valves, cams;
		CIS, Motronic, 3rd-party ignitions;
		bore & stroke, RS2 upgrades, transplants
	Exhaust
		stock v after-market, mild v stainless steel, pipe size
	Wheels
		16-, 17-, 18+ inch wheels
	Tires
		performance, all-weather, or snow tires
	Lights
		DOT vs Euro e-code, fog lights, driving lights