Re: my 90 cq

[Porsray@aol.com]

Alvin,

Damn, you have a bunch of questions!  let me see, in 120,000 miles:

Repairs: The following are from a notebook I keep on the car:

35,000:  Repl. headlight/wiper switch ass'y   $142
53,000:  repl F. pads                    ~$100
53,000:  repl. LF CV boot              $93
54,000:  Repl. headlight/wiper switch ass'y   $190
56,000:  PS, AC alt belts              $70
58,000:  repl. rear muffler (broken donut hangers)   $362
86,000:  timing belt plus knock sensor   $581
87,000:  Repl F&R pads, F discs           ~$250
91,000:  Repl. thermostat, replace antifreeze   $50
91,000:  Repl "the bomb"        $342
92,000:  Repl. F struts            $140
92,500 : fuel injector seals       $244
99,000:  Repl L&R outside mirror glass    $140
99,000:  Repl  heater blower motor          $138
112,000: PS, AC alt belts              $50
100,465:  Air flow bellows (bet. air sensor and intake manifold)  $60
113,000:  Fuel filter plus mounts (rust)    $23
116,000:  repl Idle stabliz. valve    $258
116,000:  Repl R. pads & discs     $103
117,000:  Repl LR emergency brake cable  $35

I've left out a lot of the normal maintenance (oil/filter, tires, wipers,
etc.)
plus the many times I tore apart various dash switches to replace burned
out mini-lighting bulbs.  Also, have had to replace outside temp sensor
(twice?), and repair the harnesses plugging into the radiator fan and the
multi-pin connector at left -front of engine where a bunch of sensor wire
are connected.  Also did a rotor/cap replacement and a tranny/diff oil
change (plus prob. a bunch of stuff I forget).

I have used std. plus multi-ground point spark plugs without noticing any 
difference in performance or driveability.

I have not done "upgrades" to car; only thing I wanted to do was go to
Koni shocks when struts were replaced.  They weren't available - had to
go with Boge Turbo TS which after 10,000 miles wre no better than OE
that had 90,000 on them.  Rears are OE; car is fluffy but I didn't buy
it to be a pocket rocket, it's my daily driver and winter snow queen. 

Parts are mail-ordered thru a dealer in La-La land (Hoehn); have had very
good luck with them.  Many people recommend Carlson, but I have had
poor luck with them on three occasions - was on hold for 15 minutes+
and prices were no better than Hoehn (who I get right thru to and are 
extremely courteous).  I got better things to do than stay on hold (little
things like do my job at work).

The brake light is coming on again if I leave car parked for several hours,
but
once light goes out, can pump the brakes like crazy and it won't reappear.
I assume that the bomb is OK, but am getting slight leakage around PS
pump pistons.

The note on the hydr. engine mount/gear engangement is interesting; I
also am having occassional gearshift trouble, although i suspect something
in the linkage.  Something else for me to check, though.

As far as selling it, my feeling is I do not see anything else I would
rather have except for the A4 Avant (will be talking to a dealer in the
spring).  Selling vs. keeping is purely personal,  but will say if you
sink $3000 into it, DON''T expect to get anything close to that back 
when you sell.

Have fun!

Ray Calvo (porsray@aol.com)
1990 Coupe Quattro


In a message dated 97-10-16 13:13:48 EDT, you write:

<< 
 Hey Ray,
 	I need some advice and I thought to myself if I'm going to write anyone
about 
 my cq,  I think you know our car better than most. 
 	My 1990 cq just turned 105000miles, not much in the grand scheme of things,

 but enough to get rolling. My question(s) to you are: What major or minor 
 repairs have you had to deal with since purchasing your car? What part makes

 did you use? And apx. how much did it cost?  And how much time was needed
for 
 fixing, if you did it yourself? What dealer do you use for parts? 
 
 	The reason I ask, is that I love my car, its unique, better looking than a 
 Golf GTi, etc.... but its quirky in that it has its share of problems. 
 	I have already replaced: my filter with a k&n- no power improvement,
replaced 
 my thermostadt and coolant, all belts-with your instruction, plugs- not the 
 3prong type though~is that bad, cap, rotor, wires, mobil one oil, bosch 
 filters, bridgestone all season tires-205/60-15. 
 	I believe I need to change: all fuel injector seals-I have drippage at the
#3 
 injector, hyd.press.accumulator- light comes on-surges occasionaly, upper 
 front strut bearings- every time I turn lock-to-lock it knocks etc, 
 shocks/struts- they don't absorb the bumps like they used to, springs- see 
 previous, hyd.engine mount -i see leakage and it is harder to engage gears 
 esp. reverse, exhaust tips - I like the dtm upturned look, wheels and tires-

 to 17"x7.5" with 205/40-17.
 	I know that sounds like a lot but it would make it more like new at a cost
of 
 what do you say $3000. Would your recommend these upgrades or sell the
thing? 
 Have you done a lot of upgrades? Which ones? 
 		
 	Thanks in advance for your reply. 
 				
 			Alvin H Adelhoch Jr
 			Primo_ jr @ msn.com   
  >>