[V8] V8 troubles

[Mike Arman]

>  <doubldz at aol.com>
> Cc: quattro at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: V8 troubles



Oooooh, gonna need rear brakes "soon" . . .

This is pure, unadulterated FUD factor marketing.

I've also heard this as "hmmm, your brake linings are 40% worn", with the implication that "You 
gonna die!" unless you fix it *now*. Except if they are 40% worn, you still have "only" 60 percent left.

Rear brake pads last a LONG time, most of the work is done by the fronts.


Determining remaining brake pad life is easy - there's a specification in the manual for minimum 
allowable pad thickness, and if you can't find it, when the pad gets down to less than about 1/4" or 
so (YMMV), it is time. Squeaks, squeals and scraping noises mean you've waited too long and are 
scraping the rotors.




On the flashing brake warning light, first check the brake fluid level and the hydraulic fluid 
level. Also check the bomb - run the engine for a minute or two, turn it off, and press and hold the 
brake pedal. If it feels normal after 30 seconds, the bomb is OK. If it feels "hard", like you're 
pressing against a metal plate, the bomb may be bad. Changing it is not much work but it is messy. A 
reconditioned bomb is MUCH less expensive than a new one. The "bomb" is a pressure accumulator, it 
is a metal sphere with a rubber diaphragm in the middle, one half is filled with nitrogen. Over the 
years, the nitrogen pressure drops and the pressure accumulator doesn't work very well. The "fix" is 
to add a pressure fitting (like a tire valve on steroids) and recharge the accumulator with nitrogen 
to the correct pressure. (It is called a "bomb" because it resembles a WW2 German "potato masher" 
grenade - sphere with a wooden handle.)



As far as the engine running badly, have you washed the engine lately or run through any deep 
puddles? You may have gotten the distributor caps/plug wires or some of the (many) sensors and 
connections wet.



Auto diagnostics 101 - always check the simple things first. Car won't run - before you buy an 
engine, check if there is gas in the tank ;-)

Incidentally, this is a swipe at many auto repair shops, and is not a gender-related comment. Auto 
repair shops often prey on the almost total lack of automotive knowledge of their customers and 
frequently sell parts and repairs that are simply not needed. One of my favorite examples is a "fuel 
system service" for $79.95 which consists of dumping a $5.00 can of solvent into the gas tank and 
running the engine until most of the smoke clears. Another one is a radiator flush - a Texaco quick 
lube place charged $129.95 for this and broke the plastic end cap on the radiator of my wife's car 
doing this - disclaimed all responsibility - and now she lets ME fix her car or manage any 
outsourced repairs.

Be careful, lotsa varmints out there, not all of them wear suits, either!


Best Regards,

Mike Arman
90V8Q, now officially for sale