Checklist for Reliability of Older Audis

[TWFAUST at aol.com]

Tony, 
 
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I don't have an ultrasonic big enough. 
 Mine is HF "handyman" size. I suppose I could do 1/2 at a time. But here 
is a  suggestion. I first had this problem on my '87 Scirocco 16V, which I 
also  register rarely (probably going to sell, at 6'1' my head interferes with 
the  sunroof) . Following web instructions, I soaked it in a bath of CLR 
overnight.  That does the trick.
 
I am going to go through as many terminals as I can find and  reach (the 
ones I can't reach will doubtless be a problem) with acid,  a dremel brush and 
grease. Without doubt, everything is "high resistance" by  now,
 
Another hint you might use in business. The Scirocco fuse box is about  
$225.00, and impossible to find in boneyards. Might not find it new  anymore. 
Fortunately the VW Cabriolet uses the same box up until, I think,  '92. 
 
Tom
 
In a message dated 8/16/2011 1:06:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
auditony at gmail.com writes:

You can clean the fusebox in an ultrasonic cleaner. That's what I did  with 
mine, has been going strong since. As for what goes wrong, Cody and  Huw 
have pretty well covered it. Mostly, replace anything plastic or rubber,  and 
it will give you years of good service. I daily drive mine, and never  
wonder if it will start, run, or get me to and from on a 3000mile road  trip. 
Just wonder what little thing will break next (lately it's the  cruise rod).
 
But, it's so versatile, and so comfortable, and relative to the new ones,  
so cheap to maintain, that I can't imagine what I'd replace it with. I  
probably won't go newer than 95 ever!
 
Tony