re: Quick checkout list needed for 4000

[Dylan Jenkins <dylan@vt.edu>]

Mike.....

Not a 4k guru, but plenty of BTDT over the past 6 months or so, here's what
I had to fix on my 85 4kqs (125k when purchased): ((NOTE to gurus, excuse
lack of knowledge on names for certain components))

Engine~
1. Some clatter normal at start-up, should subside after 30 seconds or so, this
is the lifters filling; continued noise = dead lifters, but cheap ($10/) and
relatively easy to fix.
2. Front cam seal - look for leaks; again, not a bad job.
3. Inspect rubber, particularly big rubber boot from filter and ISV rubber.
4. These engines are tight, but original cork rocker gasket may seep -
silicon gaskets are cheap.
5. Other oil leaks would be red flag.
6. Hesitations or rough idle could be a few things, faulty ISV, oxy sensor,
retiring plug leads/rotor/cap, gunked fuel injectors.

Body~
1. As many know, door handles/locks notorious. Not too bad to maintain once
fixed - LP3 from Blau = good shtuff to keep door handles/locks in good sort.
2. Same with window regulators - check to see that all work.
3. Sunroof, a few things to go wrong here, bad design on the slide mechanism
(metal to metal contact, no roller = seizing). Rubber seal dteriorates over
time.
4. Door seals should be in good shape, if not, then expect dirt, road grime,
and noise to enter car.
5. Windshield strip should be sound (i.e., present), however, expect to see
gaps where plastic "keeper" running perimeter has shrunken - not a big deal,
however, over time, water can start to seep into driver's compartment
(behind dash) and onto floor.

Trans/final drive~
1. Check CV boots for cracks.
2. If quattro, check seal seal at rear of transmission and from both rear
differentials to half shafts - $100/seal.
3. Also, if q, see if it engages AND disengages.

Suspension~
1. Lots of bushings and rubber to go bad over time; give her a good push
through the corners; clunks may be engine/trans mounts (or spare rolling
around in trunk)- cheap, but pain to fix all. Soft could be shocks or tires
- lots of great ways to go shocks, reasonable prices, shakes = bushings -
gets expensive when you replace all.

Overall, these are great cars that are built like tanks (IMHO). The engines
are rock solid as are the manual transmissions. Some great updates can be
had at reasonable prices. I've probably missed a bunch, but if I were buying
another, the above is what I'd check out.

Regards,
Dylan Jenkins
Virginia Tech
Department of Forestry  
216B Cheatham Hall (0324)    
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061   
(o)540/231.6391	     
(f)540/231.3330	    
dylan@vt.edu