re: Oil cap off kills ca

[Phil Rose <pjrose@servtech.com>]

>Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 07:59:51 EST
>From: PMStaples@aol.com
>Subject: Oil cap off kills car
>
>I have a 1988 90 Quattro, non turbo,10 valve, 5 speed. I am getting a rattle,
>knock from the engine at idle, low speeds. The car seems to run OK, but not
>great. While looking under the hood with the engine on, I took of the oil fill
>cap,

Don't _do_ that, unless you want to kill the engine!


>and the engine died immediately. :-)

See...told you so.

>Tried several times, engine cold, normal
>temp same results. I checked the manual about the knock senser, and will try
>to check out the wiring and timing today, but the engine dying has me
>baffeled.

Don't know the cause of your "rattle, knock", but there will be a loss of
manifold vacuum caused by pulling the oil filler cap; then, stalling is the
normal consequence. Worry if it didn't stall. Even merely pulling the oil
dipstick should cause some stumble, although not to the point of stalling.
All are good signs that you probably do not have vacuum leaks in some
engine hose, gasket, etc.

Are you sure the rattle isn't from the exhaust system?


Phil Rose				Rochester, NY
'91 200q				mailto:pjrose@servtech.com
'89 100