[s-cars] Re: Trouble in 4KCSQ Land

[JShadzi at aol.com]

Greg, it *probably* just needs a new cat, about $125 aftermarket, that's all my '86 needed when it wouldn't smog, a new exh. at a local muffler shop might run another $100 or so, and you'll have a nice car on the road again.  Not saying its the cat 100%, how could I know from over here, but likely as there isn't much that goes wrong with those cars and they run really clean.

Doesn't sound like a parts car to me...yet.

HTH,
Javad
San Mateo, CA

>Hi group,
>
>I need some advice to make sure I know where I stand.  First of all, I
>know I screwed up, but that is water under the bridge...
>
>Back in September of 02 I sold my 1986 4KCSQ to a local kid for $1500.
>At that time there was about 180K miles on it. He works in a local
>tire/auto repair shop and I figured he was a perfect match for the car.
>He told me he'd have the car smogged at his shop.
>
>Well for various reasons (and this is where I screwed up) it never
>happened.  I asked him several times to have this done.  Now the
>registration is coming due and he calls to tell me it won't smog.  It
>passed smog just fine a year ago when I owned it and it was burning
>about a quart of oil between 3000 mile changes.  He tells me that the
>exhaust needs to be replaced (which I told him when he bought it, it's
>the original) and that once that is done, the smog guy tells him that
>the HC levels will increase over their already too high numbers.  He
>said that the car is now burning about a quart of oil every week or two.
>
>He has put new tires and a new alternator in the car.
>
>I think I'm in trouble on this one.  I called the local Audi recycling
>yard and they will take it off my hands for free.  I'm thinking that I
>may have to give the kid $1000 to take the car back, figuring $500
>towards the time he has driven it... seems fair(?).
>
>Smog mechanic said we should replace the exhaust, which has to be done,
>and then start to look at what else may need to be done.  He said it
>could need a valve job.  Of course the kid I sold it to doesn't want to
>pay for anything and he is leaving town the end of this month for a new
>job.  I really don't have the desire to sink any money into it.
>
>Registration is due the 20th of this month, only $55 and a smog check is
>not required if I keep it since it passed last year... will need to be
>smogged next year.  The fact that I am selling it is kicking in the need
>for a smog check now.
>
>What I'm thinking about is to take the car back and use it as a daily
>driver for a year to keep the miles off of my S4.  The front seat is
>broken and I'm pretty sure I'll have to spend some money on it to get it
>running right.  Another thought is to ask this group if there is anyone
>on this list interested in it as a parts car.  It's not in too bad shape
>for a 17 year old car.  The body is fine and the dash has no cracks.  I
>took pretty good care of it thanks to this list.  Car is located in
>Northern California.
>
>Any input would be appreciated.  Yes, I know that the first thing I
>should have done is to get it smogged...
>
>Thanks
>
>Greg
>94 S4
>4KCSQ (?)
>
>