'91 V8q

["James M. Dean" <aes@mhv.net>]

I bought a '91 V8 approximately 9 months ago with ~75K miles on the
clock. Here is some words of BTDT that I gave a fellow lister a few
weeks ago.

Good luck with your V8!! These are beautiful cars and drive great!...but
there are some things to consider. It appears that these cars have
several weak links. 

#1 is the timing belt. It MUST be changed religiously BEFORE 60K
miles... AND it must be done PROPERLY. I bought a 91 V8 about six months
ago with ~75K on the clock. Pristine shape. The timing belt had been
changed according to records (~58K)...but it was NOT done PROPERLY. I
was leaving the airport last week and BOOM...all of a sudden there was
this terrible noise from under the hood and my V8 has not started since.
My mechanic says that the timing belt was not torqued properly and had
jumped severl teeth. Damage ($$$) yet unknown, but I've heard other
horror stories of bent valves, cracked crank shafts, etc. Somewhere
between $2K-5K is not uncommon to repair after one of these.

#2 is the transmission. I've heard the manual tranny is not as sound as
it could be. Check out the archives for posts on this. This can be
another expernsive ($4k) problem. I have a slush box that seems to work
fine.

#3 is the UFO rotors. This is a "better idea" by Audi that gives
everyone a headache. The rotors on this design have a tendency to warp
and are expensive to maintain (~$800) for a brake job w/ rotors.

#4 is the "bomb". This is the accumulator that assists the power
steering and the brakes. It has a tendency to fail around 75K. I
replaced mine about 80K. ~$300 for the part and $150 labor.

#5 is the power steering rack. I just had mine go. This was a common
problem with the 5000 class and popular opinion was that it had been
solved by the time the V8 came around. WRONG!! My PS rack developed a
leak and this is a real knuckle breaker to replace. The dealer wanted
$750 for the part and $400 to install. I'm fortunate that I have a local
independent V8 certified mechanic. Bottom line was $350 for the part and
$200 to install.  


So the nbottom line is that you had REALLY better love this
car....because it can break your heart and wallet if you develop some of
these classic problems. Here in the northeast a '90 - 92 V8 (automatic
tranny) with low miles will go for about $10K - $12.5K depending upon
condition. The manual tranny, which is more sought after, goes for about
$14K - 16K with same miles and condition.

GOOD LUCK!!

> 
> i've found a 91 V8q with 133k miles on it, yea i know, high as hell. It
> looks nice from the exterior, real clean in and out, new brakes, but
> that's all i can tell w/o getting the keys. Anyway I'm defering to those
> out there familar with this model for info on problem areas, stuff to
> look for, with this model, as I'm thinking about picking it up as a
> second q.
> sean 96A6q
> 
> ------------------------------
> 

-- 
James M. Dean (JD)
Applied Energy Services
P.O. Box 60, Fishkill, NY 12524
Tel (914) 486-4134  Fax (914) 486-4701
Pager: (888) 274-7281
e-mail: aes@mhv.net
http://www1.mhv.net/~aes