[V8] new v8, shiny new set of problems.

[Klein, Nathan P]

Cole,

I recently had the same kinds of problems that you do.  

With respect to the overheating, my problem was a disintegrating heater
core.  I didn't have smoke coming out of the driver's side for long,
though; shortly (a few seconds) thereafter, I had smoke coming from the
A/C vents, the heater ducts, and it seemed like everywhere.  I replaced
the heater core and that helped.  It still runs hotter than I'd like (to
where I have to keep the HVAC controls on "HI" temp and "HI" fan to keep
it under 100).  I'm awaiting a new radiator right now.  Ingo Rautenerg
had this same experience and bits of plastic from the disintegrating
heater core had gotten into the line, clogging the radiator and
"reduc[ed] efficiency to nil".

Incidentally, I'm still seeing small puddles of antifreeze when I turn
off the car and losing about a half-gallon of coolant every couple of
days, so I need to go back and make sure that I connected everything
correctly.

* * BTW, can anyone explain which way the engine coolant-cut off valve
is supposed to be facing, and which hose it's attached to near the
heater core?  I followed the Audi V8 microfiche as closely as I could,
but it wasn't sufficiently detailed (at least for me) in this regard.

You may also want to check that the auxiliary fan is functioning.  I
think it comes on every time the A/C is turned on.  Mine isn't currently
doing this, and I need to get that rectified.  Hope that's not too hard.

If you're in a place where you can get your radiator flushed and/or
rodded out, that would be beneficial.

Also - you may just want to pop on a new reservoir cap.  After my car
overheated (120+) a couple of times, it wasn't sealing very well and
allowed pressure and coolant to escape.  Not a trace of coolant on top
of the tank since the new cap.  They're really cheap (~$6) and would
definitely help.

I also had the problem with heavy steering shortly after bringing the
car back from the Great Lakes area to Texas on a 19-hour nonstop jaunt,
in the middle of the summer.  Took it to the Audi tech in town, and he
said the rack was bad.  I had heavy steering and smoking coming from the
passenger side wheel.  But that problem has gone away.  Vanished.  Not a
trace of smoke, nor the scent of burning Pentosin after leaving the Audi
tech.  And the steering at lower speeds is fine now.  I'd top up the PS
fluid and see if that helps.

-----Original Message-----
From: v8-bounces+nathan.p.klein=lmco.com at audifans.com
[mailto:v8-bounces+nathan.p.klein=lmco.com at audifans.com] On Behalf Of
Cole Blacksmith
Sent: Thursday, October 27, 2005 3:03 AM
To: v8 at audifans.com
Subject: [V8] new v8, shiny new set of problems.

I just picked up another 90 v8q, mostly because I already love the one I
have despite its quirks, and also because the new one is in the really
cool dark grey paint with a black interior, and has low miles for its
age (132k), very nice exterior and interior condition.

I've got one serious problem with it that I need to get sorted out,
though:
At highway speeds, it runs pretty cool (~100C), but in stop and go
traffic, where it's not getting the airflow, it'll quickly run up to 110
(and probably hotter, if I let it), and I can see a few wisps of smoke
coming out of the driver's side of the hood near the front.

It's got a couple of other oddball things, mainly that the power
steering is miserable at very low speeds (like backing out of a parking
space), but better at higher speeds, and the central locking system
doesn't work. I can spend some time on those once I get the car back to
Portland, but it's in Seattle at the moment, and I'm not even attempting
to drive it back with the overheating problem.

So...any suggestions as to what to look at on the overheating problem,
and a reputable mechanic in the Seattle area? Thanks for any
suggestions/advice.
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