RE: Help with an 88 5KCS

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.com.pl>]

Mark wrote:

	>Took a look at an 88 5k turbo (is that the 5kcs?) today.

CS refers to the trim level. It's independent from engine (I've seen
both turbo 5KS and non-turbo 5KCS)

	>First, the owner is asking in the neighborhood of $300 for it,
and looking
	>to get rid of it yesterday, cause he's already moved outta town
and needs
	>to unload this.

Sounds like a great deal to me. Wheels and tires alone are probably
worth half the price.

	>It is sitting at a local shop ("European car specialists..."
yah right).
	>Body looks good, interior is good.  165k on the odo.  But, it
won't run.
	>Under the bay, everything looks good.  A little drippy around
the power
	>steering canister, oil a little old, air cleaner box open (not
broken).

Interesting why did they open it.

	>Now, where should I start?  It should have enough juice to at
least turn
	>over, but it doesn't.  The mechanics took a while a looked at
it
	>(previously), and couldn't get it running.  They said they
started it once
	>or twice, but it just died.  I had no luck either.  No
clicking, no
	>attempt to turn over.  My next attempt will be to jump it, but
I thought
	>I'd write in for more help.

Yeah,if the car sits there for some time and the battery is not the
strongest one it could just go flat. If it won't jump start, check if
there's voltage on the starter motor. Do the lights go out when you turn
the key? There could be an internal short in the starter - if this is
the case, don't try to jump start the car.

	>Could it be the airbox being open?  Don't think so.  There were
some
	>intermittent beeps from the 'puter, but nothing showed on the
display
	>except "OK".

No, the airbox has no effect on engine operation except restricting air
flow ;-) It should ran fine without it. 

	>Any help appreciated... should I buy for a project, or not?

Hey, before asking such questions check if the car runs at all ;-) Good
luck

Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)