200q20v Odd Smells and Noises

[Alexander van Gerbig]

    Well most of the family came home today from RI in the 200q20v avant.
Everyone complained of a very nasty smell while driving, mother said it was
sulfur like, both my sister and aunt said it was more of a metallic smell
which made them feel a little ill.  Of course my mother did not stop and
check the engine, she continued to drive and the smell persisted for 3
hours, bad enough to warrant windows being opened.  I smelled it a little
when they got in, it's nothing that I've ever smelled before, though it is
slightly reminiscent of burning pentosin, but I see no smoke which I know
pentosin likes to do.  I see no leaks either, though the car recently spat
out all of the pentosin due to a faulty hydraulic line, but again I don't
really see or smell the symptoms of pentosin mixing with hot exhaust.

    So I took the car for a long test drive and varied my driving style.  My
sister came along to pinpoint the smell, she couldn't smell it.  The
difference was the  car was unloaded this time, before it had 3 people and a
full boot of luggage and boxes.  Mother said the smell became very strong on
hills, obviously loading the engine up in 5th gear on the highway.  Sister
claims the smell was coming from around the turbo, but saw no smoke.  Does
anyone have an idea about this?

    To add to the story the alignment is frightfully out of whack, or one
tire is very low, but doesn't feel like a tire problem.  The car was fine a
week ago, now the steering wheel is cocked to the right about 45 degrees and
the car pulls to the right badly.  The hydraulic pump is making horrible
noises too, put my screw driver up to it and listened, very loud whirring
that was interrupted by straight out whining in rhythmic pulses.  I have a
feeling my mother hurt the pump by driving with no pentosin.  What a poor
car, sigh...

Thanks!

Alexander van Gerbig -- '88 80t (Gone, but never forgotten)

The Audi  80 Pages-----------------
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North Ferrisburg, VT 05473