Tips on buying a 5KTQ

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

At 12:33 AM 2/24/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>I am looking around for a 5000 turbo quattro right now , I was wondering
>if there are any major "audi problems" that I should look out for.

..............Hello Kenny....Depends on what you mean by "major".......The
hydraulic  pressure accumulator fails about every 5 years, along with the
door handles and window switches and window regulators, and wiring in the
driver door (due to flexing at hinge). Eventually the clutch breaks or
fails and you drop the tranny to swap it. Even the linkage of the shifter
breaks, eventually, in some cars.  Speedos/odos almost all fail, along with
cruise control. Multifunction switch on steering column burns out and
headlights can't be switched. Best to relay the headlights. Climate control
units behind glove box frequently fail, as does the heater blower motor and
a spring on one of the air distribution flaps. Windshields and headlights
get pitted. Rear calipers and e-brake cables get rust-frozen and fail, as
does the brake pressure regulator for the rear brakes.. The exhaust is
suspended by a special bracket at the tranny, and that bracket fractures,
putting a big load on the exhaust manifold studs, which break eventually as
the system flops around, like when you go over a railroad track at speed.

>  I know to check the records (if any) that the previous owner has had for
> work done on the car. Are there any major rust areas

...............Unlike your 86 4kq, these cars are double-side galvanized
and simply "never" or almost never rust in the galvanized chassis
areas.  But underbody components aren't protected that way, and they almost
all rust, especially in salt-belt cars.  Also, the black rub rail trim on
the doors tends to deteriorate from the inside of the rail, which is a
slate-like material that also serves as a structural member that prevents
intrusion from a T-bone collision. The material swells up, flakes off, and
the shape of the trim piece changes radically. Not pretty. Easy to see.
Expensive to replace. Also, I have heard of small rust-outs developing when
the drains at the rear of the front wheel wells are plugged with organic
debris. Cars from the salt belt will all develop underbody component rust,
and all the metal lines carrying fluids will rust and leak and need
replacement. Fuel pumps tend to fail eventually.  The oil cooler swaged
fitting corrode and fail catastrophically sometimes, and the you can't get
the old fitting off without serious damage to the cooler. The plastic
radiators all fail eventually, especially at the upper inlet neck. The
throttle switch electrical internals develop microfractures of the solder
joints, and the switch requires repair or replacement.  The Michelin Man
hose cracks and leaks, as does the lower vacuum hose on the wastegate. In
fact, all the rubber hoses eventually deteriorate and need replacing. There
is a little short hose fitting at the front of the engine, that feeds
coolant to the turbo, and this fitting starts leaking eventually. All the
motor and tranny and subframe mounts and rubber bushing will be shot or
already replaced.  After all, the cars are at least 13-14 years old and ALL
the rubber items will probably be in bad shape or will have been replaced,
perhaps several times, by now. Also, the suspension parts will be near the
end of life, such as the rear transverse control arms and the various ball
joints and tie rod ends.



>  or drivetrain issues to lookout for?

.................expect to replace the center support bearing of the drive
shaft, at some point in the life of the car. About $130 from Blau, plus
labor.  Wheel bearings eventually all fail and get replaced, at about $200
each if someone else does the work.

>Also if you live in western WA and have a 5KTQ for sale email me off the
>list. thanks for all your help quattro list!!! later
>
>~Kenny
>86 4KQ
>75 280zt