Re: 1988 5KSQ New Owner Questions ("Bomb", Headlights, OXS Warning Light)

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

At 22:20 19.05.98 -0400, Christopher J. Ritchie wrote:

>1.  The brake pressure accumulator ("bomb") is getting weak.  How long
>before it fails?  When it fails, does it fail catastrophically?  That is,
>will there be any warning, or just no brakes one day?  Will it fail while
>braking?  Or, could it fail while driving, and I wouldn't know until I
>applied the brakes?  Even if it failed completely, shouldn't there still be
>some brake pressure assist if the engine is still running?

The brakes work just fine without the bomb except for emergency braking.  

>3.  My oxygen sensor warning light does not come on when the ignition is
>first switched on.  I note that the owner's manual indicates (with an *)
>that this is an optional item.  Optional???  Before I go taking the
>instrument panel out to check the bulb and tracing the circuit, can someone
>tell me if a warning light is supposed to be there.  

The OXS warning light is supposed to come on at about 60K miles. After that
the bulb gets discarded and the light is left inoperative.

>4.  What is the faint humming noise near the glove compartment when the
>ignition is on?  It is not the fuel pump.  I know that sound and location. 

Climate control system motors doing their job

>5.  The "Bentley" does not seem contain scheduled service and regular
>maintenance recommendations.  At least I couldn't find them.  Where are
>these specified?

You should get the red "Maintenance booklet" from the previous owner.
Whenever the car is in for maintenance service, the dealer should confirm
this with his stamp in this booklet. The booklet also specifies the
recommended maintenance items and service intervals, however, this list is
fairly incomplete. E-mail me privately if you'd like some advice on what to
service and when.

>6.  I found a listing of the Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for this
>model.  Where can I find the full text?  If anyone has seen them, are they
>something worth obtaining?

You can probably order them from AllData (http://www.alldata.com). However,
the best source for repair information is this very list, so once you're
subscribed you probably don't need to spend money on TSBs.

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 :-)