re. Chord of pain

[Swann, Benjamin R. (BSWANN)]

Jenny,

It is a good idea to apply some dielectric grease to the plug wire
ends/spark plug tip.  The wires are generally a bit difficult to pull off,
especially if thev'e been on there a while.  Also use some anti-seize
compund on the plug threads to make sure they come out easily the next time.
Don't over tighten the plugs - 15 ftlbs is more than sufficient - I tend to
snug mine only wrist tight.

Lifter noise is generally an exceptable part of aging VW/AUDI moters, and
most cars in general.  The solution - replace the lifters.  Most of the time
the noise is merely an annoyance.  Sometimes using a higher viscosity/wider
range visc. oil can help. 

The wheezing sound is usually from the belts and can be resolved by using
some belt dressing spray on the belts and pulleys.  I usually apply while
the engine is running, by carefully aiming the spray right where each belt
meets the pully - bye bye noise.  You may notice the belts make a high
piched whine after this - means the belt is gripping the pully well.

If these are the worst complaints about your Q, count your blessings.

Regards,

Ben

_______________________________________
Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2000 11:15:22 -0500
From: Jenny Curtis <jenny at physics.spa.umn.edu>
Reply-To: jenny at physics.spa.umn.edu
To: qlist <quattro at audifans.com>
Subject: Chord of pain

Hey Q-list:

After patching my exhaust yesterday, which I'm going to try to nurse
along for a few more weeks, I set out to do some routine maintenance,
such as adding injector cleaner and checking my plugs.  I went to
change the sparks and was curious as to why there wasn't any info in
the owners manual about this relatively simple job that should be part
of routine maintenance.  The biggest hassle was getting the little
covers off the plugs as I'm sure you know, they are a real pain.
Eventually I figured it out and popped the little rings up with a
screwdriver, but it would have been nice if the owners manual would
have provided a clue about this.

After my rumbly exhaust, the second bad sound is lifter click.   I
usually hear it when it is getting about time for me to change my
oil.  I started hearing it this week, but I still have a month to go
before my oil change.  So I checked the level.  It was a bit low so I
added a half a quart to the max line.  Then it seemed to me the click
was worse.  This is very puzzling.  The only possible explanation, I
could think of was that I patched the exhaust yesterday, so that was
quieter and the click only sounded louder relative to the exhaust
noise.

The third note in the my chord of pain is a little wheezing sound that
comes from the front of the engine compartment in the area of the
timing belt.  It sounds like a squeeking pulley, but I just had the
thing replaced less than a year ago.  Is it possible it could just
need a little grease?

Jenny
86 4kQ (Close to 300K) Eurotrash Princess