Damn

[Vincent Gelinas]

Well... The cap and rotor helped! Fired right up and then when I parked it
to get ready for work, it wouldn't start again.  I'm at the end of my rope!
 So 5w-40 will be plenty thin for the winter I'm guessing, and I'll go over
to coppers asap.

Thanks


Vincent

On Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 12:37 PM, john at westcoastgarage.net <
john at westcoastgarage.net> wrote:

> On 11/17/2010 8:57 AM, Vincent Gelinas wrote:
>
>> /Looking at your list of parts replaced, there are some questionable
>> items.  I'm guessing the term "Bosch +2+ means platinum plugs.  They flat
>> out don't work well in VAG products, and they're NOT on the list of approved
>> plugs.  (They are, however, a high profit item for the parts stores.)
>>
>> /They are indeed plats.  Should I be running coppers?  i got these because
>> I had a dollar off per plug, to bring them down to a few bucks a plug.  But
>> I can always set them aside as spare plugs and get the coppers no problem.
>> /
>>  I also don't recommend the NAPA wires, preferring Prenco or even Bosch.
>>  They're made for the car by companies that make a LOT of components for
>> German cars.
>>
>> /Is there anything specifically wrong with them?  I know they're not the
>> greatest, but they're what I could afford.
>> /
>>  While we're at it, I don't care for MSD coils, either, being a general
>> product, made as a sort of one-size-fits-all, and not specifically for the
>> needs of your car.  BTW, despite the fact I've serviced literally thousands
>> on VAG cars over the last 37 years, I doubt I've sold more than 10 coils in
>> all that time, not counting the mid 90s Golf/Jettas.  Coils are not high on
>> my list for troubleshooting, and most replacements have been for damaged
>> connections due to corrosion.
>>
>> /I had to replace the coil lol.  My negative terminal broke clean off.
>>  There's a guy on here that has a square coil from a 20v iirc, and once I
>> save the money I'm going to buy it off of him.  I couldn't afford the 90
>> bucks at the time for the Bosch one, and putting this in made a world of
>> difference for less than half the price.
>> /
>> You don't say where you live, but if you're in an area with mild weather,
>> 5w40 is thinner than called for, especially if you have a lot of miles on
>> the car.  This engine is old tech, and requires thicker oil than the new low
>> friction designs.  If you have harsh winters, then you're OK for the season.
>> /
>>
>> I live in central New Hampshire near the VT border, so definitely cold
>> winters.  Once I move to Maryland for school, I'll likely switch back to
>> 10w-40.
>>
>> Vincent Gelinas
>> 1989 Audi 90q
>> 235,000 Mi approx
>> 2.3 NG
>> 5 speed
>> Enfield, NH
>>
>>
>>  20w50 is the preferred motor oil for your car.  Might stick to 10w40 for
> the winter in MD.  The 20v coil may not be appropriate, so save your money
> for the right part.  They can afford to give you a dollar off the plats
> because their cost is so low.  Major markup part.  I would use the W7DC.
>  Cheap, good.  Just watch the wires for breakdown, leakage, etc.  Gotta go!
>  John
>