Thinking about getting a Mechanicaly-challened '88 90Q. Need diagnosis and parts advice.

[Tyson Varosyan]

Long story short, guy has a 90Q for sale with 148K on it. I think he will
let it go for $1200, it has been on the market for some time and he seems
like the type that would not know a fuel pump from a fajita.

My background is a self-taught mechanic. Owner of a 4kcsq and a 3000GT VR4.
The only thing that ever scared me on a car is the CIS-E injection, which I
respect but never want to mess with again! I have pulled the motor on my
cars 3 times, done clutch swaps, tranny swaps, brakes, struts etc. Mostly on
the 3000... I'm not an Audi mechanic by any means, but I am handy with a
wrench.

Symptom #1: Car does not shift. Clutch pedal is limp and sits about 3/4 of
the way down. Pedal can be moved up by hand and makes a squeaking sound
under the hood when that is done.

My Diagnosis: Bad master cylinder? Clutch Fluid low? I could not locate
ether under the hood. Not a part I ever messed with on my 4kcsq. Other ideas
are welcome as the 3000GT system is way different and could not see this
problem.

Symptom #2: When owner went to start the car, the car was in gear. He didn't
realize this and cranked it a few times. Although with considerable
resistance, the car did crank without moving.

Diagnosis: There is no way in hell that with a properly engaged clutch disk
the engine could turn without the car moving. Obviously the disk is worn to
heck or is not fully engaged.

Symptom #3: When I did get the car running (by putting it in neutral), it
was a bit rough but then sounded OK. One thing that I could hear was a
high-pitch squeal coming from the power steering pump. I checked the fluid
and it was way low.

Diagnosis: I'm thinking the pump may be getting ready to fail. This is not
mission-critical, but as I found out later, it is a hella expensive part.

Symptom #4: Radiator on the top cover where the hose goes into it has a
crack and leaks pretty heavy.

Diagnosis: I still have a 4000CSQ as a parts car. The radiator looked
identical to me.

Questions: First off, other diagnosis are wanted! Second, a good parts
source would be nice too. I went to NAPA and these are the prices I got from
them: Clutch kit:$350, Clutch Master Cylinder:$150, Power Steering
Pump:$150-350 depending on the month the car was made and which pump it has.
Also, instructions or a good source oh how to pull the tranny for the clutch
change would be nice.

Further things to check for on this car would be good to know.

Thanks,


Tyson Varosyan
Technical Manager, Uptime Technical Solutions LLC.
tyson at up-times.com
www.up-times.com
206-715-TECH (8324)

UpTime/OnTime/AnyTime