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

[Huw Powell]

> Long story short, guy has a 90Q for sale with 148K on it. I think he will
> let it go for $1200

> 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.

Well, you know where they are, now.

This is usually a sign that the clutch slave is kaput.  This means 
yanking the tranny and doing the whole clutch job while you're in there.

It is *possible* that the brake/clutch fluid reservoir was allowed to 
run low and a good healthy bleeding (leeches?) will cure it.  But don't 
count on it.

I bought my '89 90Q with 180k miles for $300.  Other than typical 
niggling age issues, the reason it was cheap?  Shot clutch.

> 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.

So the PO is also an "idiot."

> 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.

You'll be replacing it anyway if you buy the car...

> 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.

Buy a used one, say, from Chris at Force 5 (see vendor list for contact 
info).  Shouldn't be too bad.

> 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.

Not quite - the 90Q should have an auxiliary radiator, which means the 
radiator has an extra hose tap.  I ditched mine for a 4kq radiator, and 
used a 4kq lower hose (cut off a bit because the 90Q thermostat housing 
sticks out further).  No big deal unless you are A. in Death Valley or 
B. will run it hard while using A/C.

> 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

Sounds fair.  But might as well buy those parts from Chris as well...

> Also, instructions or a good source oh how to pull the tranny for the clutch
> change would be nice.

Haha.  undo everything, pull tranny, replace parts (including rear main 
seal and tranny input seal while you're in there), replace tranny, do 
everything back up.  The Bentley manual has a really cute ten step 
description of this.

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

Electrics, and all "options".

At $1200, the car had better be 1. cherry body condition and 2. very 
free of bugs otherwise.  It's really only worth about $3-500 otherwise. 
  It's a parts car, unless someone wants to invest in that clutch job.

What color is it?

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/