Should I buy this 5ktqa?

[Ameer Antar]

Audi 5k's are really worth no more than $3000. And if it needs work, much 
less. I bought an '84 5kt for $500. The only major problem it had was a 
seized turbo, plus it's age.

you can expect to pay this for the various repairs:

suspension: $500-1000
pwr steering pump: $300-500
boost: $50-$300
oil leak: $100-250

-I already sent you a message about suspension

-pwr steering: don't know what the symptoms were, but the pump is an often 
changed part as well as the steering rack. Often people use regular pwr 
steering fluid in there and the fluid dries up all the seals, causing 
leaks. The system is s'posed to only use Pentosin mineral oil, anything 
else will cause damage to the seals.

-The boost problem is sounding more and more like just a leak in the line 
between the ECU and manifold. If you get good power from the wagon, you may 
actually be running 1.4 bar of boost, but the ECU doesn't know about it b/c 
all the extra pressure is leaking out of the line. You can test by putting 
vacuum on the ECU line at the manifold and seeing how long it lasts. It 
also could just be a leak in one of the intake hoses [michelin man or 
other], which is a very common failure mode Also someone mentioned 
intercooler leaks, but it's not as likely on a car running stock boost.

-oil leak could be leaky turbo oil line or oil cooler line. These hoses are 
expensive, usually $80-150 each. The leak could also be the front crank 
seal which means it could use a new timing belt and water pump. That kit is 
under $80 for parts, but is somewhat of a pain to replace b/c of the Audi 
tools needed. It could even just be a pan gasket or loose pan bolts. You 
can figure out what area is leaking on close inspection.

the engine light could be anything, so it's best to read the code using the 
SJM website. It could be air temp sensor or just a knocking warning. Using 
87 octane fuel shouldn't cause the light to come on normally, b/c these 
engine have knock control which retards the timing if it detects knock. In 
my manual it says if you use regular octane you will notice lower 
performance, but nothing about engine lights. It's unlikely that using 87 
instead of 89 is the cause hear, just maybe an additional reason. Once you 
figure out the code, you will have a lot more info.

One very important thing to check before buying any car is to check 
compression. You could have just one weak cylinder which might cause 
problems later on. I'd be reluctant to check compression on a V6, since the 
rear spark plugs are usually unreachable, but on these inline-5's there's 
no reason not to. It's very easy to do b/c the spark plugs are right there. 
Do a dry and wet test [wet = a few drops of oil in the spk plug hole]. This 
will at least give you some peace of mind about engine condition, and 
should be part of any thorough inspection. good luck.

-ameer

At 01:30 AM 12/4/2000 , you wrote:
>On Sun, 3 Dec 2000, The Quattro King wrote:
>
> > Seems like an $1800 to me.
>
>Harsh words- but you guys are the experts.  Couple related Q's:
>
>I live at an altitude of 6000ft, could that contribute to the low boost
>reading?
>
>The car's owner's manual (which is in the glove compartment, along with 4
>years of meticulous service records..) indicates that running low octane
>fuel (they use regular unleaded) can cause the ignition light to come on
>under high boost as it does- does that seem a plausible explanation?
>
>The service record shows that just about everything on the "common failure
>list" has been replaced recently, including the turbo, so I'm inclined to
>give it a closer look- the current owner is obviously well off, and took
>it to the dealer for all mechanical work.
>
>Recapping:
>
> > > Mechanicals *seem* fine, with a few exceptions-
> > >
> > > My concerns are:
> > > Suspension feels a bit squishy (but similar to the A6 Idrove a
> > >      couple weeks ago)
> > > Max boost I was able to get out of it is 1.1 bar indicated
> > >      (but felt considerably quicker than the 2.8/slushbox in the A6)
> > > Slight oil leak under the front of the motor
> > > Ingition system idiot light comes on at high boost
>
>--
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>   Rob Deis                  "Let the people know beforehand what the law
>   MiB3347                      is and what they are to expect."
>   rdeis at io.com                              -- 18th Congress, Rec. 75