FW: Inspection / Battery

[RICHARD MEZIC]

Monday morning problems:

- NYS inspection is due on the '91 Audi 200 wagon today.  While driving the
car this weekend, I noticed a sound like "rushing air" below the passenger
side rear seat.  I removed the seat (while parked) and there was nothing
wrong.  Thinking it was the fuel pump on the way out, I proceeded to look
under the car and noticed that the shield below the center resonator appears
to be rotted through.  I'm assuming the worst and thinking it rotted from
the inside out due to condensation.  This would explain the (sometimes)
rotten egg smell and the (sometimes) smell of fuel like the car was running
rich.

I dropped the car off at the mechanic this morning and I'm waiting for his
call...  Like I said, I *need* to have the inspection done...

The question is - if it *is* the center resonator/cat, can this be replaced
and would this be compatible with an aftermarket exhaust in the future?  I'd
hate to spend $$$ on replacing the resonator, only to have to get rid of it
in the future *if* I go the route of an aftermarket, high-perf exhaust.

Could this noise also be the fuel pump?

NAC question:

My '97 Passat TDI needs a new battery.  It seems reasonable to me (for a
3-year-old car) because the car spends the week in the garage and only comes
out to play on the weekend.

The battery was dead when I recently tried to start the car.  I removed the
caps, topped the cells off with (approved) water and let it charge
overnight.  The half near the positive terminal spewed black gunk all over
the top of the battery and the negative half seemed OK.  Upon disconnection
from the battery charger, it was unable to start the car.  No lights, no
reading on the odometer, nothing.  Time for a new battery?...  Replace with
a standard "VARTA"?...

Additional question - why does VW/AUdi not use a sealed battery?  Or the
better question - are sealed batteries truly sealed?  Or can you just NOT
add water to them when they die out?  Looking at the "green eye" to see if
the battery is charged is kinda convenient.

Thanks in advance to all!  Hit me with the BTDTs - the list hasn't failed me
yet!

-RJM-
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