Re: (Novice) Standard PS flui

[cobram@Channel1.Com (COBRAM)]

 * Carbons sent to: Rochow@segosf.hlo.dec.com

 -=> G  Benedikt Rochow illuminates us with <=-

 GBR> [my main question: how bad is standard PS fluid having been used
 GBR> in the steering/brake-assist system?]

      BAD, EXTREMELY BAD. 

 GBR> Hello, I'm new to the list (I'll introduce myself later).

      Welcome

 GBR> I just bought an '84 5000S (non-turbo, non-Q) quite cheaply;

      Cheap is relative, whats the mileage?  Around here 1984 5KSs
      with good cosmetics can be had for $250-$600. Is it an
      Automatic or a Stick?  

 GBR> among other things, it sounds like it has some sort of
 GBR> exhaust leak, and it feels like it is close to the engine - everything
 GBR> in the engine compartment is rather too hot, including fenders 
 GBR> and the hood.

      Sounds like the manifold bolts, MAJOR PITA (pain in the A$$)
      job. But very common on this model. The excessive heat
      isn't normal, is the fan working? Check the rest of the
      cooling system.

 GBR> I'm just listing this just in case it has anything to do with
 GBR> my main question: 
 GBR> The power steering/brake system has been leaking fluid for a while
 GBR> apparently; the previous owner had a 3/4-empty gallon jug of 
 GBR> regular NAPA power steering fluid in the trunk, and now I find
 GBR> Audis use something (entirely?) different...

      PENTOSIN, special, very special liquid green worth it's
      weight in Silver. The entire hydraulic system, which on
      the 5000 includes the power steering pump, expen$ive
      hoses, steering rack, accumlator (bomb), has to be
      replaced, the regular ATF (red power steering fluid)
      does nasty things in small quantities, let alone
      running the car with this stuff in there by the
      gallon.

                 <<Deletia>>

 GBR> -it does seem to brake adequately.
 GBR> -the upper-middle-of-the-instrument-cluster brake warning light
 GBR> (with 3 beeps and the flashing triangle) comes on after
 GBR> about 10 secs of idling (or 20 seconds of driving, if I drive off
 GBR> immediately) after starting.

      On the 1984 model the low brake fluid and the low
      Pentosin Hydraulic Mineral Oil reservoir share the
      same warning light.

 GBR> (What exactly is the right fluid?) My (gas-station) mechanic
 GBR> says normal PS fluid is OK, how wrong is he?

      He knows NOTHING about Audis. You can't get much more
      wrong than that. 

 GBR> For low-$$ fixing, if the steering rack is the leak point,
 GBR> could one disconnect it and keep the brake-assist?
 GBR> (Would I notice it if the brake-assist is not working?

      In all probability you're already driving it without
      any assist.  

 GBR> I do notice the lack of steering-assist, but it's
 GBR> still easy enough to steer - or was this a weak power
 GBR> steering to start with, which is still working?)

      Check the Quattro archives, there was a lister a year
      or two ago who bypassed the Pento$in system on his
      5000 and put in an earlier brake/steering system
      that used regular fluid and vacuum assist from
      an earlier model Audi.

      I've owned a 1984 5KS for 8 years now, over that
      span of time I've changed just about the entire
      hydraulic system.  I passed the car on to my wife
      about 3 years ago, and spend alternate weekends
      taking car of "little" problems on the car.  It
      demands maintenance to keep it on the road, if
      you're not mechanically inclined and don't like
      doing the work yourself you've bitten off more
      than you can probably chew with this car.

      Don't misunderstand me, I really like the car
      (so does the wife, I bought her a Mercedes Wagon
      and she didn't want it, preferred the pickup
      and feel of the 5kS) but it does have it's
      weak points.  Based on your experience with
      the previous owner, I'm willing to bet the
      car also needs a heater core, blower motor,
      water pump, timing belt change, a tie rod
      or two, ball joints, strut bearings....etc.
      The parts are cheap enough, but if you have
      to pay someone to perform the work, it's
      tough to justify keeping the car on the road.

      On an upbeat note, the engine is like the
      energizer bunny, it just keeps going and
      going and going.......

      BCNU,
  
... Answers: $1, Short: $5, Correct: $25, dumb looks are still free.
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