interference/1988 80 Frnt whl drive 4 cyl

[tom winter]

Hey Ti - Just wanted to personally thank you for answering my question
regarding interference. I'm sure I speak for many that it's great to have
people like you, Huw, Phil etc around to share your knowledge.

As far at the 1988 80 goes, here's the deal. This car rear-ended a truck. It
was driven by a freelance graphic artist who does some work for Freeskier
magazine (freeskier.com). He gave it to me for the cost of towing ($200). I
posted it at audifans.com as a parter-outer, but no takers.

The car will crank, but won't start. I'm thinking the interference thing may
have wasted the engine. Most of the damage was to the grill, tin, one
headlight (driver's side) was wasted and the radiator and ac condenser were
wasted. I have yet to check the timing (not sure where to look, but probably
can figure it out).

While the engine cranked by hand smoothly and didn't seem to have any
problems that I could feel, the plastic in front of the timing belt was
smashed up, as the radiator was shoved back into the engine by the crash.
Attempted roll start didn't work.

And I can't get the belt on the alternator because it got a bit tweaked
(impact was mostly on the driver's side, passenger headlight a-ok).

I'm thinking that the belt slipped and the interference thing wasted a valve
or two.

Would I be able to feel this by turning the engine by hand?

And while I'm doing that, how do I check out the timing?

If the head/valves/whatever is toast, I'll give the car away for free or
whatever $ anyone wants to donate to me to defray the cost of towing.

I couldn't handle seeing it go to the junker w/ all the good stuff on it!

And I want to give it away to a lister! I'd be very happy if someone needs
the parts and I don't care if I get any cash.

Many good parts on this guy and I think that some are good for 80 quattros.

That's the scoop. If Ti or anyone else can give me the pointers so I can
check out the timing, possible interference thing, that would be very cool.
If I get it running I'll give it to a buddy who really, really needs a car.

But if the car is toast, I'll post that here and then put the sucker up for
grabs. It's in Boulder, Co in case you were wondering.

Tom
workin' on the wagon all the weekend long