new to Audi, new to the list

[Dan Cordon]

Hey Drew,

Welcome to the world of Audi! Looks like you've already got experience 
in the VAG family, so that can only help out.

Your TQ Avant should make a great family car. And with some basic 
wrenching skills, you should be able to tackle most maintenance and 
repair jobs that are bound to come up.

Getting the Bentleys is great. I recall about a year ago someone posting 
about an inexpensive replacement pump for the after run system. It 
wasn't from Audi, but a place like McMaster Carr or something, and you 
had to remove the factory plug and wire it direct to the pump. I don't 
recall the price though.

Another option would be Ebay. Seems like after run pumps come up every 
few weeks and sell for around $35 USD.

IIRC, the system comes on based on temperature sensors  on the engine. 
My 87 5k comes on after regular summer driving once the car has been 
shut off for about 45 seconds. Often doesn't come on in the winter. 
However, my 91 200 almost never comes on unless it's really hot outside 
and has been driven *slightly* spirited.

On the hydraulic pump, the rebuild kits are pretty inexpensive, but I've 
heard many people report that it was difficult to rebuild w/o leaking. I 
haven't done this though, so I can't say much more on the topic. 
Actually, I'm going to switch my 'play car' to the earlier vacuum 
booster and regular power steering system. I got a good deal on parts 
from a fellow lister, and got a rebuild rack for the early car. Many 
will consider this a downgrade, but my brake system is needing most of 
the parts replaced....and that's spendy. I'll add a large vacuum 
accumulator, but getting rid of the Pentosin system on my play car seems 
like a good idea.

Good luck with the car. It should serve you and the family well for 
quite a while. And welcome to the list.
-- 
Dan Cordon
Mechanical Engineer
University of Idaho - Engine Research Facility

> Greetings to all.  I recently acquired an 89 200 Turbo Quattro Avant.  The 
> car has a few mechanical issues, so far nothing major, and the body and 
> interior are in fantastic shape.
> 
> My goal is to have a nice reliable "family" car for my wife to drive.  
> The Bentley factory service manuals are en route as I type this, and I'm
> engaged in the process of clearing Volkswagens off the shop floor so I can
> begin to work on this substantial hunk of German steel.
> 
> I have two specific questions that arise from my cursory examination of 
> the engine bay and/or the history of the car provided to me when I 
> purchased it.
> 
> 1) the after-run coolant pump has been "deleted" - I'm guessing because it 
> may have developed a coolant leak.  I understand that this pump circulates 
> coolant after shutdown in conjunction with the cooling fan to cool the 
> waterjacket and the (water-cooled) turbo.  How frequently does the 
> afterun cooling system operate - is it only after "spirited" driving with 
> hot ambient temperatures, or is it pretty much any time the engine has 
> been heated to operating temperature and the ambient temperatures are 70F 
> or greater?  Is there a good (read: inexpensive) source for these pumps?  
> I do not have the old one, so rebuilding is not an option.  My immediate 
> area is (painfully) devoid of any Audi parts cars of this vintage, however 
> I may be able to find something a little further afield.
> 
> 2) the hydraulic pump is leaking - in persuing the archives I've learned
> that this is not uncommon.  There is a rebuild kit (or a few o-rings and a
> seal, anyways) available from the dealer for around $50 CDN.  Has anyone
> successfully rebuilt their hydraulic pump?  I understand the procedure is
> detailed in the Bentley (which I hope to have by the first of the week)  
> but I would appreciate any advice based on personal experience that can be
> offered, as the alternative is a $250 CDN rebuilt unit.
> 
> Thanks in advance for any advice/input offered.
> 
> Drew
> 
> 
> -- ============================================ 84 Wolfsburg Edition TurboDiesel Scirocco http://scirocco.cs.uoguelph.ca/gtd 89 Audi 200 Turbo Quattro Avant 99 A3 Jetta TDI ============================================