Decision time

[Ed Kellock]

Is there anything that the $1000 can do for the 91 Avant to make it ultra
primo?  I guess you can't make it an automatic.  Is the A4 and automatic?
V6 or 4?

> -----Original Message-----
> From: quattro-bounces at audifans.com 
> [mailto:quattro-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Kent McLean
> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 2:49 PM
> To: quattro at audifans.com
> Subject: Decision time
> 
> 
> List,
> 
> My '99 A4 is dead.  I came home on a Tuesday night, it was 
> running fine. I tried to start in on Wednesday morning, no 
> start. It wasn't the starter. The engine had no compression. 
> The engine had no oil. 130K miles.
> 
> The theory is that it ran out of oil. No noises. No 
> instrument cluster warning. (But the dam "low windshield 
> washer fluid" light will shine and scream at you. Damn you, 
> Team Door Handle.) I confess that commuting 1500 mi/week, 
> over the holidays I must have missed checking the oil over a 
> weekend or two. Yes, boneheaded. I plead overworked. 
> 
> Upon examination: 30-80 psi compression in each cylinder. 
> When the crank is at top dead center, the cam marks don't 
> line up. The theory is that the stress of no oil caused the 
> crank/cam key to shear, causing the cams to shift, smashing 
> valves into the pistons.
> 
> So, it is decision time.  Rough estimates provided by the 
> wrench, guestimated:
> 
> 1) R&R the engine with a used one, new timing belt, labor: $3500.
> 2) R&R the heads, new timing belt, labor: $1500. No guarantee 
> that the bottom end didn't suffer and this will be for naught.
> 3) Sell the carcass to the mechanic: $1000
> 
> KBB for excellent condition trade-in: $4500
> 
> What would you do:
> 
> a) Put $3500 into it to have a $4500 car?
> b) Put $1500 into it and hope and pray the bottom end is OK; 
> if not, put another $3500 into it or take the $1000?
> c) Walk away from it with $1000, and just drive my '91 200 TQA?
> d) Take the $1000 and put it into a new ???
> 
> e) buy a Honda. :)  (or should that be a :( ?)
> 
> I like the car a lot. But the seat is uncomfortable for long 
> hauls, and that's what I've been doing (and will do for 
> another month or so). 
> 
> I eagerly await your collective thoughts.
> 
> --
> Kent McLean
> '99 A4 Avant
> '91 200 20V Avant #3
> '94 100 Avant, sold
> '91 200 20V Avant #2, up in smoke #2
> '91 200 20V Avant #1, recycled
> '89 200 10V sedan, up in smoke 
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