UR q omen?

[Greg Spark <sparkg@wave.co.nz>]

> Date: Thu, 22 May 1997 09:38:13 +0012
> From: Dave Eaton <dave.eaton@minedu.govt.nz>
> Subject: Re: UR q omen?

> >From: Greg Spark <sparkg@wave.co.nz>

> >Anyway, on returning to dealer I opened the bonnet to listen to the motor.
> >After spending a few minutes leaning over the engine bay I stood up and walked
> >around to turn off engine when *BANG* the top water hose burst spraying hot
> >coolant everywhere including over my son and his friend standing nearby.
> >
> >Fortunately they only had very minor burns on face and neck but it could have
> >been very nasty - especially if any of us had been leaning over the hose
> >when it went. 
> >
> >Is this a message from the Audi Gods telling me a URq is not on my future??

> how hard did you drive the car?  what was temperature gauge telling you?
> i know that the engine was re-conned at 95k miles so it shouldn't be
> overheating - although the wr's did tend to get hot.

I must admit that the last thing I thought about as I rushed the kids to the
nearest cold water was to check the temperature of the car!

The car had been driven for about 15 minutes round the city with a brief
freeway squirt (about 4 kms up to 140kph) then parked for 5 minutes while 
I rounded up the kids from McDonalds, then 2 minutes back to the dealer.
I doubt if it could have been overheated.

> 
> i can't remember if the hoses were replaced during my time - probably not i
> suspect.

The hose didn't look new to me
> 
> what did you think of the car?

Very good rebuild job - in fact if I didn't know I doubt if I'd have picked it - 
the dealer told me the history on firsy enquiry - impressive. The new paint
would have prompted a question though.
The car seemed to perform very well although there is more vibration in the
drivetrain than I'd expect. It was my first ever drive of a URq and it was
noisier than I expected (nice noise though :) ) and less refined than I expected,
although jumping from a 96 A4 to an 85 car may influence this assessment!

The experience didn't put me off even slightly, although I must admit I'd
much rather wait for an MB/Torsen/twinpot - a 20V is more money than I can
afford to have sitting in the garage for the occasional drool session :) - 
I plan to keep an covet this car rather than use it as an every day car.

-- 
Greg Spark
sparkg@wave.co.nz
Hamilton, New Zealand
'96 A4 1.8Tq 5sp MTM 187hp