Re: Audi 90S wont go over 60 MPH

[Robert Myers <rmyers@inetone.net>]

Brian,

$3,600 is **OBSCENE**.  Your mechanic seems to think he has discovered the
Philosopher's Stone (the magical device which will turn base metal into Gold).

Assuming that a plugged catalytic converter is actually your problem, a
generic cat is available from JCWhitney in four sizes, 2", 2.25", 2.5", and
3" all for under $100 each.  Surely one of these can be made to fit and
used instead of the diamond studded one your mechanic is quoting to you.

Is your exhaust system leaking?  Too noisy?  Etc.?  If it seems OK, it
probably is OK.  Climb under the car and take a look.  Pipes, muffler,
resonator, etc., should be solid.  Rusted out holes are not good.

Here is an alternative for your consideration.  If the engine is properly
adjusted it will run within EPA limits *without* the cat.  Unfortunately
many states require the presence of a cat.  The suggestion?  Remove the
present cat, dig the working converter core out, braze another tube inside
the shell to eliminate added turbulence, and reinstall the modified shell.
Essentially what you would be doing is replacing the cat with a straight
pipe.  Of course, I would never suggest this illegal act for anything more
than a short term test.

At 10:05 PM 6/3/98 EDT, you wrote:
>I have this Audi that for some reason it wont go over 60 MPH.  It seems very
>sluggish.  One mechanic says it needs a new trans., but another mechanic says
>it sounds like a catalytic converter problem......neither have really looked
>at the car.  The second mechanic says a new catalytic converter and exhaust
>system will cure the problem...$3600.....blah. I need any advice you can
>offer. Thanks in advance.
>
>Brian
>
>
___
   Bob
*******************************************************************
*  Robert L. Myers  rmyers@inetone.net    Home 304-574-2372/1166  *
*  Rt. 1, Box 57,  Fayetteville, WV 25840 USA      WV tag Q SHIP  *
*  '95 S6  Cashmere Grey                                          *
*******************************************************************