Re: (Novice) Standard PS fluid in 84 5000S

[Aleksander Mierzwa <alex@matrix.pl>]

At 13:33 24.08.98 -0400, G. Benedikt Rochow wrote:

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

Very, VERY bad

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

Either the manifold has warped and broken couple of manifold studs or the
manifold is cracked (or both). On a non-turbo, it's should be quite easy to
inspect the manifold and see.

>The power steering/brake system has been leaking fluid for a while
>apparently; the previous owner had a 3/4-empty gallon jug of 
>regular NAPA power steering fluid in the trunk, and now I find
>Audis use something (entirely?) different...
[descriprion of all kind of failures caused by using regular PS fluid snipped]

Seems like you have a serious problem. The only fluid compatible with Audi
hydraulic system is Pentosin (a green, weirdly smelling fluid), sold by
Audi dealers as part no. G 002 000. Anything else (and particularly generic
"PS fluid" or ATF) will destroy the seals over very short time. Now, the
combined power steering/brake assist system comprises of the pump, the
rack, the brake servo and the pressure accumulator. On your car, all of
them are most likely dead. You can either:
a) Part out the car. I'm afraid not many people would be interested in
parts from an '84  5K, though.
b) Disconnect the pump, empty the system and run the car without any assist
at all. A very cost effective fix ;-), but not very safe either.
c) Find and early (77-83) 5K on a junkyard. Those cars use ATF-filled power
steering system and vacuum servo for brakes. Buy the pump, rack and vacuum
servo from such car with assorted plumbing (they're supposedly very cheap
nowadays). 
d) Repair your car. This won't be easy nor cheap, though. The pump and rack
can be rebuild with new seal kits. However, if the pump has ever been run
dry, it's unrepairable. If the rubber boot on the rack is damaged and dirt
and grit has collected inside the rack, the sleeve has to be replaced as
well. The servo is supposedly rebuildable by using common o-rings, but no
dedicated seal kits are available. The bomb is unrepairable and has to
replaced with a new unit, fortunately, the system works pretty well without
it.

Aleksander Mierzwa
Warsaw, Poland
mailto:alex@matrix.com.pl
87 Audi 5000CS turbo (mine)
88 Renault Medallion wagon (mom's)
91 mountain bike (just in case both cars broke at the same time :-)