Dick's Questions - Long

["Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>]

"Dick Green\"."<dick.green@valley.net> asked
 
> I own a 1993 90 Quattro, still under warranty until 9/8/96. A couple of
> weeks ago, I heard a loud moaning noise when maneuvering the car at low
> speed. I checked the power steering fluid reservoir and found that it was
> nearly empty. The nearest Audi dealer being 75 miles away, I went down to
> the local VW dealer and bought three bottles of that rather expensive
> power steering fluid ($11 per bottle.) The part number was not *exactly*
> the same as the one in my owner's manual (G 002 012 from the VW dealer, G
> 002 000 in the Audi manual.), but the VW dealer assured me it was the
> right stuff for Audis. I filled the reservoir (took more than a bottle and
> a half) and the moaning noise went away.

[snip]
 
> I called the nearest Audi dealer and they said it's probably the steering
> rack. They said it was an expensive part ($900+) and about a four hour
> job. They don't stock the part, so they have to examine the car, then
> order the part. They won't order the part until they see the car. Since I
> live so far away, this likely means that I'll have to drive the car over
> there with someone in a chase car, leave it there for several days, then
> get a ride over to pick it up. In other words, a major pain. They said
> Audi would not reimburse me under the warranty if I had the car fixed by
> anyone other than an Audi dealer, even though the nearest one is so far
> away.

They're probably right.  GET IT DONE!
 
> I'm embarrassed to say that I did not take the car in for dealer service
> until it had 35,000 miles on it. It was just too much hassle to arrange
> transporting the car and all. I did have the fluids serviced at regular
> intervals at the local Jiffy lube (holy cow, I hope they didn't top off
> the steering reservoir with regular fluid...) 

They probably did!  Jiffy Lube has NO BUSINESS laying hands on 
this car, unles you absolutely forbid them to touch anything except 
greasing the chassis and doing oil and filter.  This is probably the 
reason your rack is going!  The wrong fluid destroys their seals 
quickly.  You simply cannot assume those people know anything about 
your car, and it is dangerous to treat it like an american car.  This 
is not a Chevy pickup......

Dick, these cars MUST be serviced as per the manual.  German cars 
will last a long, long time, but it is critical to do preventive 
maintenance, because repairs are hideously expensive!  Frankly, I'm 
not sure you had the right fluid at $11 - I have never seen it 
retail for a price that low.  But I am inclined to think the VW 
dealer "should" (not "did") have known the answer....but do I trust 
them?  No.

If you're not going to trade this car, you must either perform the 
services yourself and get handy with a wrench, or you will have to 
bit the bullet and get it to the dealer.  If you don't, you are about 
to pay some horrendous repair bills.

Example: Have the transmission and transaxle lube level been checked? 
If not, you could have a $4000 repair bill headed your way.  But 
check them as needed, and they should last almost forever.

> So, I contacted the Honda dealer and requested a person to drive 
> he car over to the Audi dealer. 

Forget this idea.  You don't want the car taken in by someone who 
doesn't know and doesn't care anything about it. Make the trip 
yourself as an investment in the vehicle.  Those Honda folks are 
going to be but**oles about this anyway - don't waste your time.  
Besides, the warranty is almost over.  You MUST get this done, and 
done right.

> 1.) Does it sound like the steering rack is the culprit and has to be
> replaced?

YES.  If so, do it.  Now.  don't drive it until you do.  Period.  
Rent a car to drive until it's fixed.  That's what I do, when I 
really must. 

> 2.) If so, does anyone know the likely cause of the problem? Bad gaskets?
> I only have 43,000 miles on the car -- seems early for this kind of
> problem. 

The cause is probably the wrong fluid; that's all it takes, because 
it destroys the seals.  The other issue you ask about in your post 
could not be the cause, IMO.  In this rack there are no gaskets, 
there are just seals.  

> Can I expect more problems like this in the future? 

If you use the wrong fluid, I guarantee it will happen.

> 3.) Does the whole rack have to be replaced to fix some faulty 
gaskets?

If the rack itself is leaking, then absolutely.  It's the German way. 
Live with it.

> 4.) Is there any safe way to seal the leak?

Yes.  Replace the rack.  ONLY.  If the rack's seals are leaking and 
they don't replace it, you have been screwed!  And you need to go to 
another Audi dealer, even further away, and get the rack done.

> 5.) Was the Audi dealer telling me the truth about Audi's policy? Anyone
> know a phone number where I can get Audi of America to verify this or give
> me permission to have the car fixed locally (there's a great local shop
> that specializes in foreign cars)?

Why should Audi pay for someone besides a dealer to fix this?  It's 
your problem that there's no local dealer, not theirs.  Would you 
expect Ford or Chevy to pay an independent shop for this.  I sure 
wouldn't!

Once the car is OUT of warranty, get real chummy with the local shop. 
They will then be your best resource.  I have no problem with Audi 
having to see and check the car before ordering the parts.  those 
racks are expensive.  Their position seems entirely reasonable to me. 
 
> 6.) Should I try to get the Honda dealer to live up to the promise they
> made when they sold me the car or should I just give up and take the darn
> thing over to the Audi dealer myself? I suppose I can take it over there
> and wait while they determine the problem and bring it back when the part
> comes in. Only 300 miles of driving...

Blow off the Honda deal.  Drive it yourself.  You win  few, you lose 
a few.  After this warranty repair, they'll probably never see you 
again.  Pay the price NOW and get it done right.  Isn't it worth 
driving 300 miles (twice) to get over $1000 worth of work doen on 
your car - at no charge to you?
 
> 7.) One complication is that I need the car this week, and may not be able
> to leave it overnight until next week. How dangerous is it to drive the
> car in this condition? Is the rate of leak likely to increase
> significantly? What will happen if all the fluid leaks out while I'm
> driving at high speed?

RENT a car now and leave the Audi parked.  You will fry that rack if 
you drive it dry.  Audi may NOT warrant parts which have obviously 
been abused.  Deliver the car and drive a rental.

> 8.) Was the VW steering fluid OK to use?

Who knows?  If 'twere me, I wouldn't do it again.  I would get the 
right stuff.
 
> 9.) Does anyone know if there have been any recalls concerning steering on
> the 1993 90 Quattro? I recall talking to the Audi dealer about two years
> ago when I was going to arrange for a warranty service (I didn't follow
> through) 

Possibly a big mistake.

> and I could swear he said there had been a recall concerning
> steering. Now they say there haven't been any such recalls. Anybody know
> about this or know how I can find out?

You can get a list of recalls and service bulletins through Audi, and 
the dealer can call them up on their computer.  If they say there are 
none, I'm inclined to believe them.  Maybe those on the list 
who have this specific car know something ......
 
Al Powell                           Voice:  409/845-2807
107 Reed McDonald Bldg.             Fax:    409/862-1202
College Station, TX 77843           Email:  a-powell1@tamu.edu 
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