1981 (yeah really) Audi 4000 diesel mystery

[Tony Hoffman]

So, thanks to Chris, I bought this car today. It is a 1981, the engine
is the 1.6L solid lifter turbo diesel with the 5-speed trans, as he
mentioned. It was originally owned by VWOA, and run for two years and
17k. Then, the current owner bought it, in 1983. It was her first car,
and her only car, for the better part of the past 27 years. The real
strange part is that she hardly drives, as she is a stay at home Mom.
So, there are only about 105k miles on the car. She does have all the
paperwork since she bought it. BTW, she paid $5100 for it in 83.

It is a US market car, though. The engine code is CY, BTW. I'm going
to get in contact with Audi of America and see if I can get more
information on the car from them as well. It certainly is a strange
combination, though. I've never seen a 1.6 in anything older than 82,
I've never seen a 5-speed in an older 4000 diesel, and I've rarely
seen a turbo diesel in a 4000, they weren't even in Rabbits till 83.
And, as the Rabbit came here diesel in 77, I can't imagine they would
have put the turbo in the Audi first. But, then again, I guess I'm set
to learn a lot more about the US market for the diesel 4000 shortly.
;-)

BTW, when I showed up, the car actually no longer runs, and it only
turns over a bit back and forth. I suspect the timing belt has skipped
several teeth and the valves and pistons are hitting. Either way, it
looks like we will be tow-dollying it to Carlisle, and getting it
running there. That is, unless we get rained out this week for a day
or so and I get a chance to go down and work on it. Either way, the
car is in exceptional condition for the year, and it's all original
except for the wheel covers.

BTW, anyone that is going to Carlisle have the timing belt tensioner
spanner wrench? If so, it would be greatly appreciated.

Tony Hoffman


On Fri, May 14, 2010 at 6:46 AM, Christopher G. Mason
<njroadfan at gmail.com> wrote:

> Trunk lid says "Audi 4000" on the left and "diesel" on the right.
> Doesn't look like there was a "turbo" badge on there ever, it does
> have the correct color code sticker affixed under the trunk lid. I was
> thinking gray market myself, but the car is clearly US spec with DOT
> lighting and has a legit FMVSS certification label. Cluster is proper
> for a diesel, in MPH with a clock instead of a tach on the right.
>
> I'd love to pick up the car myself, but surprise, I have no room
> unless I give up my 87 4kq, which I won't do. 115hp is still faster
> then 67hp (or 54hp if it isn't turbo), and I put alot of work into
> getting that hoopty roadworthy (even though I bought it from the
> original owner, it was scary it ran... and stopped still). Car is in
> great shape otherwise, no cancer and all service receipts from the
> past 27 years. Problem is the engine shakes violently in the engine
> bay, so much that it really isn't safe to drive it. Could be an easy
> fix, but I don't know anything about the 1.6L diesel. Fired up with a
> flick of the ignition after the glow plug delay though. Photos and my
> inspection report here for anyone interested:
> http://forums.quattroworld.com/4000/msgs/17739.phtml