Re: knock sensor and "consumer vehicle" search ended in a QUATTRO

[Jim Griffin <JGriff@pobox.com>]

Andrei Kogan wrote:

> Our "consumer vehicle" search ended quite unexpectedly --- three days ago,
> we bought a 1988 audi 90 quattro.

Congrats!! Nice car!!

> 1. One thing that the car *needs* is the engine tune-up. I can hear a
> noticeable ringing under hard acceleration as if the ignition timing is
> off. Our mechanic told me though that this car has a knock sensor and
> should be able to take care of it on its own.

If you are tuning it up, it would be worth it to check and adjust the timing.
It can only help...

> 3. I understand the consensus is that mobil 1 oil should be used in turbo
> cars.  Ours has a regular non-turbo 10V engine, but I am wondering if
> synthetic oil would still be a better choice. I am planning on keeping the
> car at least for 5 years and would like to know if you think it would be
> worthwhile to switch to mobil 1. Also , what grade? I am using a regular
> 20w50 in our 4000S which burns a little bit of oil and, for that reason, I
> thought using synthetic in it was not cost-effective. Any opions?

I won't get into a long diatribe about it... but I vote for Amsoil
(http://www.amsoil.com). I've been using it for years, and swear by it. I won't
use anything else. But, of course, that's just my humble opinion...

FWIW, I use their 100% Synthetic 10w30 year-round... and change it every 12k
miles, with filter changes (using their designed-for-synthetic filters... which
are competitively priced, BTW) every 4k to 6k miles. I've never had a problem
with this type of service interval with these Amsoil products, in any car I've
used them in. My car now has 147k miles.. and is going strong. No leaks etc...
doesn't burn any oil etc...

Oh, and for those that think I'm crazy with this long of a drain interval, I'll
tell you that I'm actually being very conservative. Amsoil actually specifies
the oil to be changed every 25k miles, with filter changes every 12k miles!!

There are many opinions on this list about oil, and we've had numerous debates.
Check the archives for some amusing and informative discussions.

> 4. I am going to check the timing belt. If it needs to be replaced, would
> you recommend to do the water pump/ idler pulley at the same time? (Does
> this car have an idler?)

Yep... it's worth it while you are "in there" to replace these components.

Good luck with your new "pride and joy"!!

--
                     Jim Griffin
                 ICQ # 1315286
               JGriff@pobox.com
           http://pobox.com/~jgriff
     http://wwp.mirabilis.com/1315286
'92 Audi 100S - '87 VW Quantum Syncro
 "Perception is often stronger than reality!"
 ------------------OOOO------------------