Re: quattro-digest V3 #554

["Paul C. Waterloo" <74543.407@CompuServe.COM>]

You might want to check out the catalatic convertor. If the honeycomb inside of
it has fallen apart, it provides way too much back pressure and the engine can't
breathe.

Just unbolt the exhaust upstream of it and then try to start the car, also
perform a visual inspection of the internals using a flash light.  Seen it a
couple times before, but not on an Audi.

Paul Waterloo

> Subject: 5000S.  Help!
> 
> I have recently bought a 5000S, 1985, 2.3 liter engine, 89,000 miles, 
> paid $1,600.00.  I've had the car for about 5 months now and have had 
> some minor problems with it since.  Well, now I have a big problem (I 
> think) and I was wondering if anyone out there could give me some 
> advice.  Let me prefice this problem by saying that I am new to owning 
> and Audi, I enjoy driving it very much, and would like to keep it or 
> buy another.
> 
> Shortly after I got the car, I had problems with it stalling and making 
> noises from the rear.  My mechanic thought that this was the fuel pump 
> and replaced it and the fuel filter.  The car ran without stalling, 
> however, noises from the fuel pump were still there at times (which I 
> hear is normal for Audi pumps).
> 
> About 2 weeks after, the car stalled on me again and was running rough.  
> My mechanic looked at it again and said that he couldnt figure out what 
> was wrong with it but would talk to a friend of his who works on 
> Audi's.  He was told to check the grounds and after doing so the car 
> ran fine for weeks.
> 
> Then, about 3 weeks ago, the car started idling rough and lacked power 
> in the 1000-2200 RPM range, occuring when accelerating from a dead 
> stop, or crawling through traffic.  The car ran fine at higher RPM's.  
> Then about 4 days ago, the car really began idling rough (sounding like 
> it would stall any second) and the sluggishness became worse and 
> started to happen over the 2200 RPM range at times.  The only solution 
> to get the car moving at a normal speed was to step on the accelerator 
> 3/4 of the way down.  If I accelerated normally the car would sputter a 
> bit and rev slowly until it reached the mid 2,000 RPM range, then it 
> would take off.  The car also had very poor power when going uphills or 
> when the a/c was on.  Well, yesterday, the car stalled and I cannot get 
> it started again.
> 
> I pushed it to my mechanic and he said two things: 1) there is gas in 
> the cylinders and 2) the cylinder compression on 4 cylinders is ~60psi 
> and on one it is ~30psi.  Note that gas in the cylinders was not 
> evident two days ago (I checked the plugs).  Right now we are in the 
> process of letting the gas dry out of the engine and seeing if we can 
> start it again.  As of today, it will not start.  He is a good 
> mechanic, but does not like Audi's much and has not worked on them 
> alot.  He suggests for me to get rid of the car.  A little history: 
> fuel pump, filter, and fuel distributor are new.  Fuel injector(s) *
> may* be clogged.  Ignition system appears to be fine (but he does not 
> have the computer to hook the car up to).  Transmission was rebuilt not 
> to long ago and the front axles replaced.  Brakes are good and there 
> are no electrical problems to speak of.  Radiator and fan were replaced 
> in 1990.  Body and interior are in great shape.  
> 
> Questions are: 1) Does this sound like I need a new engine or could it 
> be something else?, 2) If it does need a new engine, is it worth having 
> this one rebuilt, buying a new rebuilt engine, or should I scrap the 
> car and look for another Audi?  If I were to buy another one it would 
> have to be in the 84-88 year range for financial reasons.  Obviously I 
> want to make the smarter choice, but since I am not familiar with 
> Audi's I dont know what the smart choice is.  
> 
> Any advice??



**************************************************************
Paul Waterloo                    TEL: (860) 267-7714
HydroAire Incorporated           FAX: (860) 267-7387
875 Old Hartford Rd
Colchester, CT  06415          EMAIL: 74543.407@compuserve.com
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