Urq running again, but...bad bomb?

[Marc_Nguyen@mail.amsinc.com]

Greetings all,

My urq is finally running again after getting new oil cooler lines.  I
followed the advice of a couple of listers and had lines fabricated by a
local hydraulics shop using Aeroquip fittings.  Anyway, got the cooler and
lines hooked up, spent the better part of a couple of hours thoroughly
cleaning/degreasing the belly and front wheel well  where all the oil had
sprayed when the line blew, and took it out for a spin.  The first drive in
about a month.

Well, I guess it didn't like sitting for that long because after a few
minutes the emergency brake warning light flickered on.  For the rest of
the 10 minute or so drive the light stayed on in varying degrees of
intensity.  Brake pedal pressure is normal on initial application, but gets
very hard after a short amount of travel.  While sitting at a stoplight I
also noticed that if I turned the steering wheel with the brakes applied, I
felt a pulsation through the brake pedal AND a slight groan.  Steering
effort though doesn't feel heavier...of course, I haven't driven the car in
over a month, so I don't really remember what it was like.

Got home with the intention of checking the hydraulic fluid level and doing
the bomb check, but as I got ready to pop the hood my girlfriend said she
heard a tapping noise from engine as I pulled in.  I figured it was just
the lifters making noise after sitting for so long, but started the engine
up again and took a look.  Well, it sounds like the "tapping" sound is
coming from under the timing belt cover.  At this point, I was just
frustrated with the car and was already running late so I bailed.

Probably won't have anytime over the next week to look at the car
again...deadlines at work, but thought I'd get some direction from the list
before I look at it again.  Does my brake situtation sound like a low
fluid, bad bomb, or maybe a loose power steering belt?  Is it possible that
maybe some of the oil from the broken oil line sprayed over the brake
caliper and did something?  Also, is it possible for the timing belt to
have "loosened" to a point that it is banging against the cover?

Thanks,

- Marc
'85 urq
'94 S4