Troy, IL/St.Louis - stranded 5k, plea for help!!!!

[Iain Mannix]

Hi all - a friend of mine is en route to the Solo2 National
Championships in his 87 5kcsqa.

He's just off I 70 near 270 and 55, Troy, IL, maybe ~50 miles (?)
from St.Louis.

Car is dead.

Symptoms:

Car idles, will rev with no load.  A smidge sputtery at idle,
but not awful.

ANY load is put on it - letting the clutch out to move the car -
it sputters badly and dies.  Will not move under its own power.

Related info:

He was driving uphill, 70mph, towing an open trailer with a
light racecar on it.  Car got a little sputtery, then "a
couple" miles later basically quit.  He pulled off, into a
gas station, which was difficult - rev motor, slip clutch,
move, repeat.

Best guesses:

Michelin Man!  NO.  He's had it off, twisted and poked and
prodded, no visible tears from inside or out.

Other airleaks - he's checking the lower turbo hose, checking
the hoses behind the intake manifold.  An earlier look at them
showed no leaks.  He does not think it has an airleak, but it is
acting very much like it has a leak that opens when the engine
rocks(letting the clutch out).  The intercooler has been strapped.

Fuel pump - maybe.  Not sure if it is making noises.  Unknown
age.  I've had a fuel pump fail in this fashion - will generate
enough pressure to idle/rev, but not to move the car.

Any other thoughts?  Clogged cat comes to mind, but it seems
awfully sudden.

Anyone in the area with a spare fuel pump?  A lot to ask, I know,
but I'm in Colorado.  Email me or call if you have ideas,
are nearby or know of a parts store that might be Audi-friendly
in the area.

Many, many thanks!


Iain Mannix
720 203 1193