new '86 4kq

[Doyt W. Echelberger]

Congratulations, Bernard. What an adventure that is going to be. I predict
that you will enjoy that car more than most. Mine first Audi was an 86 4kq
and it had the same dash computerthat you describe. And the car went around
corners like nothing else. Flat, on rails, beautifully balanced. I never
forgot that handling,  and never found anything to match it.

Be sure to check out the entire combustion air induction system, all the
way from the entry point under the passenger front fender. That tube from
the entry point probably is deteriorated, rotten, and full of holes. And
the thing ends up in a metal box with a temperature control gadget on it
that probably needs freeing up.  I lost an engine when that hose sucked up
water in a flood and hydrolocked all the cylinders.  I should have replaced
that rotten hose when I first got the car........would have saved me $2,500.

My car's engine was very sensitive to ignition issues, including coil wires
and ignition wires (start by pulling them out of the sockets in the dizzy
cap and coil and checking for corrosion.) Then pull the cap and check
inside for cracks and worn rotor/dirt. Replace the plugs and don't hesitate
to gap them at 45/1000 (!) to see if it makes the car run better. For some
reason, mine ran better at the wider gap. Your experience may differ.

The car also was very sensitive to where I set the timing. With new wires,
dizzy cap, and rotor, and new plugs, I could make it run much better by
experimenting with moving the timing 2 or 3 degrees one way or the other,
away from the exact factory specification. Unlike my 5ktq, the 86 4kq has a
dizzy that you can pivot clockwise or counterclockwise, to change the basic
timing.

That hard starting may be varnished fuel system components and injectors,
from sitting around win storage with old fuel.  Of course, you are going to
drain out that old gas and replace it with new fuel, and a few bottles of
Techron. After a few tanks of new fuel and Techron, it may run very
differently. Worth a try.

Consider changing the oil and filter and switching to Castrol Syntec 5W-50
after the courses of Techron. My lifters quieted down after about 2 weeks
on that stuff. And use factory-specification Mann or Mahle oil filters. And
if there is still lifter noise, maybe consider pulling the rod out of the
auxiliary vacuum pump, and running without it. Tons of stuff in the
archives about doing this, much by Hew, I think.

And change that idler pulley when you change the belt and water pump.

I put in new springs and struts all around, along with new rubber bushings
everywhere. And the car ate rear calipers and emergency brake cables in the
salty Ohio winter environment.

It will probably need a new rear muffler, as the exhaust stream cools down
about 3/4 of the way back from the engine, dropping lots of condensation on
those rear pipes and boxes. Some guys stay with stainless, and others just
replace with cheap pipe-bender aluminum-coated steel every 2-3
years.  There is almost no clearance as the pipe passes the rear axle, and
mine rattled sometimes at that point.

It will need eurolights if you plan to drive it at night.

And it will rust out, or already has, since it isn't double galvanized like
the type 44. Doors, rear fenders, trunk, dog legs.....etc.

But they are _incredible_ at going around corners. I envy the fun you are
going to have.

Doyt Echelberger
86 4kq, lost but not forgotten



 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
At 10:10 PM 3/25/2002 -0800, you wrote:
>It's a new car to me, and it has a few problems.  A major issue is 116000
>miles on the original timing belt and WP.  I know how to handle this.
>
>Car sat for over two years.  It passed emissions on Friday with flying
>colors on two year old gas and maybe 20 miles of driving.
>
>The car has the dash computer, which I take it is more rare on the 4kq --
>it seems to function.  Cruise control works.
>
>Three issues I would very much appreciate some hints on as I start to
>learn about the 4k:
>
>1) the tachometer does not function.  Any hints on where to start?
>2) very difficult to start cold.  Crank and crank and crank.  Flooring the
>throttle seems to help it catch.  Runs rough, then settles as it warms
>up.  Starts well hot.  Any hints?
>3) Driver's power window works well.  The other three do not work from
>either the center console switches, nor from the door switches for the rears.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Bernard Littau
>Woodinville, WA
>