interesting boost issue on my 200TQA

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well, thanks to all for your suggestions.

the whooshing noise i was getting was from the
lower intercooler flex hose (035 145 760).  audi
now lists it as obsolete, and no one seems to
have any old stock kicking around.  the local
boneyard has an 86 5000 that donated its j-hose
to me.  it's a simple 1-piece hose, unlike the
3-piece setup originally found on my 200.

i'm now pushing 19psi of boost.  wow.  having all
4 wheels break loose momentarily before launching
the car with such ferocity is damn near magical. 
oh, and having it chirp in second?  priceless.

which leaves me wondering about the head gasket. 
i'm pretty sure, but not yet 100% convinced that
the head gasket has failed.  my buddy is dropping
my compression tester off to me today, so i'll be
able to get a better idea tomorrow.

i say tomorrow, cuz i blew a massive hole in my
3-month-old coolant bottle this morning.

hmm.

-massive pressure in the cooling system
-(likely) coolant leaking into the cylinders
after sitting for the night
-some milky mayo on the bottom of the oil cap

i really am leaning towards head gasket.

however, my real fear is that my 3-month-old
rebuilt head is fubar.  when i brought the head
in to the local machine shop for
inspection/repair, we found that there were
cracks extending past the valve guide seals.  so
the whole head was sent out to be properly
repaired (i.e. cracks welded, valve recesses
re-drilled, whatever.  a bit of money, a bit of
time.  more than i can justify doing again
anytime soon.

let's keep them fingers crossed that it's only a
head gasket. :(

jason
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