newbie story

[Ryan Helms]

Hey list. After much lurking I feel like posting my
"how I got my first Audi" story. Actually I did post
already with a couple of newbie questions and have
since been getting a wealth of good info off-list from
patient folks. Thanks very much. I've had my '86
4000CS Quattro for probably two+ months and I still
barely know anything about it. The previous owner had
been quoted a repair estimate he didn't like. Clutch
slave cylinder was the supposed culprit, although the
current consensus would place the fault in the fluid
level and leakage dept. while refering to the previous
owner as having been flim-flammed by a local shop
looking to soak him. The car was parked for two! years
and was slated to be towed which would have ended it
up on someone's list of donor cars at the junkyard
when I heard about it. First attepmt to tow it was no
dice because the rear calipers were stuck and the pads
rusted to the rotors. Thoughtfully, on the second try
I brought some tools (I really expected it to roll on
the first try) and popped of the rear calipers with
much ado. And here it sits, in need of a clutch job, a
drive shaft oil seal, timing belt change, and misc
other details. It looks really good though! Dark gray
(don't know the proper name for the color) with red
leather interior. Even has the lower aluminum body
panels. Wish I could put up a pic for it. (BTW, how
long has the Audifans Photo gallery been "coming
soon"? ;) . I've done little stuff like change oil and
filter (the old filter had become one with the car),
air filter, replaced a caliper, freed the other three,
brake pads, brake proportioning valve, freed the
sunroof, and found all remaining exterior body pieces
for it. (did someone mention door handles?) She
starts, runs, drives, shifts, stops, all the power
acessories work (except mirrors). Just needs the touch
of someone much more hip to Audi than I. So far, one
new tidbit of info results in ten new questions. I
really appreciate everyone that's helped me re-write a
newbie FAQ off-list. (I really do scour the archives
first...) Until I actully know what I'm talking about
with this car I guess it's back to lurking...
-
Ryan
'86 4000CS Quattro with those groovey aluminum body
panels


=====
"When the going gets weird,
    the weird turn pro." -Hunter S. Thompson

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