Re: new 5kcstq

[Wallace White <wallace@remdesign.com>]

Chris -

Glad to have you join the ranks of 5kcstq owners! Hope you enjoy it. It
makes a great weekend hobby / part-time job, depending on your attitude.

> 1. Power locks not power or locking--vacuum leak?  Something else?

Looks like Andrew already covered this one...

> 2. A/C not blowing out front dash vents, but seems to blow cool from
> de-fog vents.  What to check?  Heat works ok.

That's what mine does right now, more or less. After you get the Bentley
service manual (see below) and maybe a hand-operated vacuum pump, you
can start debugging the A/C programmer and all. It's a black box that
you can see with the glove box open. If you can get hot or cool air,
that (probably) means the electric motor in the programmer, which
controls the temp flap, is working. If you're getting air only out the
defrost vents, that means you've got one or more (perhaps many) problems
with the vacuum hoses and vacuum solenoids that actuate the vacuum
servos for the flaps. In other words, "defrost" is the default position,
indicating that the flaps are malfunctioning.

> 3. Radio is toast.  Any good aftermarket in-dash CD/receiver
> replacements someone can recommend?

Mostly a matter of budget and personal taste, I think. About anything
will fit. I had one stolen, after the right-rear quarter window was
broken out, so I replaced it with a low-cost Jensen CD. (Detachable face
too, but I think the "Jensen" faceplate may be a better
theft-deterrent.)

> 4. What's a good leather cleaner/conditioner?

Lexol pH cleaner and Lexol conditioner is the stuff the dealer sells,
and you can get it elsewhere. I've done no comparison but it seems good.

> 5. The fat black plastic trim on the bumpers is graying.  What's the
> best stuff to bring it back to deep black?  Also, there's some parking
> stickers on this part, is it worth trying some chemical to get those
> off--seems rather tricky.
> 
> 6. I'm thinking of getting the headlights brighter--is that just a
> matter of replacing the bulb, or the whole assembly?

Search the archives if you like on this one. The US spec lights never
were great, and the lenses and reflectors tend to worsen with age. Mine
are still in good shape and they're okay with me. People who are serious
about lights get Euro lights; in fact, there may still be a group
purchase pending.

> 7. Anyone have an owner's manual or know where I can get one for this
> car?  Or a service manual?

The service manual is more important, to be sure. Bentley publishes it,
and it's available from amazon.com or perhaps at a better price from
Linda at Carlsen Audi, in Palo Alto, CA. The number is on the vendor
page on the quattro-list web site. Expect about $100, and don't put off
getting it.

> 8. Chip boost/eprom upgrades--worth it?  Anyone? Bueller? C.A.R.B. legal
> ones available?  Undt how much?  It's a ski-trip/commuter, so I don't
> want to blow my engine.  Perhaps stock is best, but if I can squeeze out
> 20 or so reliable h.p., it's worth it.

Haven't done that, though many on the list have... I'm not sure I want
the potential (if unlikely) problems with the intercooler, exhaust
manifold, lots of hoses. But lots of those things will go eventually
anyway, and it would be fun.

> 9. It has weird size tires on it now (too high profile) on stock
> rims--what was the original tire size for this model?

205/60 R15, whether you've got the standard 6-slot wheels (15x6) or the
sport 5-spoke Fuchs wheels (15x7).

- Wallace
  '87 5kcstq 150k

--

 Wallace White                             wallace@remdesign.com
 REM Design                                     tel 415.621.3922
 290 Division St., Suite 401                    fax 415.621.4024
 San Francisco, CA  94103                      www.remdesign.com