Decision time

[Huw Powell]

Ed Kellock wrote:
> 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?

I can answer that one!  V6 (he said "heads").

> 
>> -----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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> 
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-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/