4ksq

[Huw Powell]

> << 4. Hydraulics. The dipstick needs to be kept topped up. Even half
> a quart low will induce ticking. Harmless. OTOH, the vacuum pump that
> supplements the manifold vacuum to the brake booster is a common
> source of ticking and removal of the pushrod will silence it forever.
> It is an artifact of  the Urq turbo setup and is not needed on the
> 4kq. >>
> 
> Bad advice.

Disagree, see below...

> The vacuum pump _is not_ "an artifact of the Ur-Q setup"

True.  The vacuum pump appears on the "small" n/a cars from about '85 
til whenever it disappeared (I don't own anything that new!).

> and is the only power assist source for the brakes on a 4kq.

Not true, the brakes on the 4kq (cgt,80,90) are also assisted by engine 
intake vacuum.  The only time the function of the pump becomes apparent 
is braking while revving over approx. 3k rpm, bt tested t.

> I realize there are folks who have
> disabled the power assist to get rid of the noise and not had an
> issue, but you are disabling the power assist and need to be very
> aware of doing so.

No you aren't, you're only disabling the *on throttle* power assist for 
the brakes.

> Think frail S.O. on a long down grade with an
> engine that just quit--no assist could be a disaster in that case.

On a long down grade you should be using engine braking anyway.  And if 
the engine is being turned by the wheels and not running (foot off gas), 
there will be plenty of vacuum generated to help you overheat the brakes.

The closest to a tough test I ran my 90Q (pumpless) through was a 
picturesque bit of road from NC into SC, 20-25 miles of hilly twisties. 
  Nominally a 50 mph speed limit, about every 200 yards there was 
another 15 mph curve.  No brake problems...

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/