rev limiter; scarred s*&%tless

["Louis A. Mulieri" <lmulieri@zoo.uvm.edu>]

There are only two ways to own an Audi either spend your life trying to 
understand the beast or go into complete denial and guide it around. I am 
one of those who needs to understand.  So my question is does my 
5000CSTQ, 1988, have an engine rev limiter?
     This is my scarry story.  I 
was following a tractor trailer for a looooong time on a wonderful Audi 
road; 70mph down, 25mph up each hill.  Finally I had an opportunity to 
pass; I downshifted into 2nd from 3ird; pedal to the metal; rocket past him.  
Just as I got to the intersection between trailer and tractor the engine 
cut out; my heart stopped; I'm not sure if I let up on throttle but just 
as suddenly it cut in; then out.  It did this three times.  I did not 
lose speed but lost acceleration each time.  Just as I pulled in front of 
the truck I glanced at tach and it was just coming down from red region.  
	My analysis after the fact is that I hit the rev limiter which 
dropped revs; re-accelerated hit it again and was in an oscillating mode.  
Any other ideas.   The remainder  of the trip 300 miles and back 500 miles it 
was just a great as ever. Absolutely no indication of anything 
amiss (sorry about pun).  The absolute good news is that Gino, my 
husband, who has a superb ear for such things said the engine was just as 
sweet at 7000rpm as 3000.  Incidently he and my friend Erwin who owns a BMW are 
always chiding me for under revving the engine.
	Also I didn't need to worry about flashing or waving Audi drivers 
as we saw one, that is 1, other Audi on the entire trip from Burlington, 
Vt to near Pittsburg, PA
.
TIA for any ideas and help
.
	Berthann Mulieri PROUD OWNER of 1988 5000 CSTQ; pearl white, 130K 
and expensive but what better way is there to grow poor.