newbie 88 5k turbo questions...

[Ameer Antar]

I had the same thing in my 5kT. It was horrible in the summer, w/ a broken 
a/c and hot air coming from under the dash. I lifted the hood and looked at 
the firewall. It turns out one of the body plugs had fallen out so all the 
heat from the engine bay went inside the cabin. It took 4 tries w/ the audi 
dealer to finally get it. If you know a body shop they should have assorted 
sizes. But I couldn't find them at any local stores. It only cost $1 and 
change.

About oil, synthetic oil should have been mandated for turbos. The reason 
mainly is due to heat issues. Hot turbos can breakdown oil and harden the 
oil in the turbo passageways like cholestorol. A full synthetic will not 
burn at these temps, and will also flow better when cold. Which is why you 
can actually use thicker full synthetic oil than factory spec'd in the 
manual. Porsche engines only use Mobil1 from the dealer which is fully 
synthetic, which should tell you about its advantages, even on non-turbos. 
Don't use blends, as they don't live up to high temps and burn off much 
more, which actually has given synthetics the bad name.

You prolly will use a little bit more oil, esp. if you don't use a slightly 
thicker weight. But you will save your turbo from a heart attack and reduce 
engine wear esp. at startup. These benefits definitely outweigh using an 
extra ounce or 2 of oil. Had the engine used synthetic to begin w/ the 
system might have been better about leaking. You'll even feel the 
difference when starting the engine. The engine turned quicker, and was 
easier to start. The problem is Mobil1 is a bit expensive. I get a case for 
$28, but sometimes can be cheaper. Also not many mechanics or oil change 
places will do it unless they charge $7/quart, and then there's really no 
point. If you pay that much for oil, it's better to do it yourself...unless 
you know someone who can put it on the lift for $10...good luck.

-ameer



At 11:55 PM 11/6/00, you wrote:
>greetings list...
>
>i'm hoping to steal some info.  my car seems to radiate heat from the 
>drivers side underdash. with the heat/ac off, it gets uncomfortable in the 
>car w/ the windows up.  like a hairdryer is hiding under there. i am 
>guessing this is due to the amount of radiated heat from the turbo / 
>exhaust. i notice a bit of a heat blast when i get out of the car from the 
>fender seams.
>
>If this is in fact due, in large part to radiated heat, has anyone had any 
>luck with the various thermal wrapping materials avaialble? i thought 
>wrapping the turbo / manifold might help, and not cost what 
>coatings  would. TIA for any reccomendations.
>
>the other thing, which im sure has been asked a million times, but i 
>wanted to bounce some advice i got today off the list.
>
>my mechanic advised me not to use synthetic oil in my car (88 quattro 
>turbo 5spd, 217k) . due to excessive oil usage in high mileage audi's and 
>that, unless the car has always had synthetic in it, to use regular oil.
>
>this seemed counterintuitive, so i thought I'd ask.
>
>
>any input / thoughts greatly appreciated
>
>jim
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