Re: The 200q metal blender -- distributor, perh.?

[C1J1Miller@aol.com]

In a message dated 98-07-22 11:12:16 EDT, rao@pixar.com writes:

> Y'know, this could be the distributor rattle so popular among the 20V-NA
>  crowd.  I have a rattle in my car that might qualify, but mine is (a) not
>  particularly alarming yet, and (b) is audible when you rev to about 3K rpm 
> and
>  let go (at rest).  Anyway, the distributor rattle is supposedly benign but
>  curable by the insertion of a shim.
>  
>  I wouldn't be surprised if your rattle  is just a more obvious
manifestation
>  of mine.  (Just fly down to SF, and you can verify it :-)
>  
>  -Arun
--------------
I think Rob Winchell (who's presently on his honeymoon, right?) had an oil
leak through his distributer; he replaced the gasket and it's fine; haven't
heard of the rattle problem on the 200q, but it's probably the same
distributer p/n.

I had a factory audi mechanic (Audi of America?) talk to me briefly about my
car in '97 at the Mt. Washington audi corral; he stated that occasionally the
drive chain connecting the DOHC at the rear of the head can get loose, causing
a rattle at idle.  He said (from memory) the head can be tilted and the chain
swapped out.  

I'd start the diagnostic by tightening up the exhaust hangers near the cats;
have heard of them loosening up and rattling.

Scott Mockry also says on his site (http://www.teleport.com/~scottmo) that his
200 rattled at idle; apparently there are springs in the clutch that have too
much play; cure is to replace the pressure plate. There might be a TSB on this
as well; not a warrantee item, though.
Chris Miller, Windham NH, c1j1miller@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/c1j1miller/index.html