What happening now?

[quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk (Phil Payne)]

In message <UPMAIL13.199708111700230954@msn.com> "Ian J Haseltine" writes:

> My Ur quattro (MB engine) has started to use water in a big way, over 2 litres 
> since l topped it up a week ago. Today when starting from cold both this 
> morning and tonight it would only run on 4 cylinders at first and the exhaust 
> sounded as if it was bubbling through water. In addition, for the first mile 
> or so it was emitting a thick mist from the exhaust, which then cleared.
> I know that there has been a leak from one of the turbo coolant lines, but 
> this has been minor, about a tablespoon of liquid onto my garage floor 
> overnight.

I suspect a head gasket leak, very probably from one or both of the rear water 
channels into the back of #5.   I'm beginning to wonder if there is a bad batch 
of head gaskets around - John Robinson and John Coughtrie have both had similar 
problems.

I'd do a rapid compression test, and also check the exhaust when hot for an 
acrid smell - antifreeze stinks when it burns.

Another thing to check, and this is a personal opinion - check the invoice for 
the head work that was done to see if you were charged for new head bolts.
 
> As you can imagine, this is very worrying. The engine had a major top overhaul 
> and new turbo back in March, so I dont think that the head gasket has blown. 

On the contrary - it would make me think of _exactly_ that.

-- 
 Phil Payne
 Committee Member, UK Audi [ur-]quattro Owners Club