Re: RE: Cooper Cobra + 88 80q follow-up

[Cory Brayton <cbrayton@bcm.tmc.edu>]

I have Cooper Cobra's on my 88 80 Q -- although 4 years old they probably
have < 20K.  I was told a couple of weeks ago that the vibration I felt
while driving is dt 'tread separation' -- I really don't think I'm a tire
abuser -- I generally stick close to the limit (thats dangerous in
Houston), stop for yellow & red lights & stop signs (REALLY dangerous in
Houston) & I've always been able to keep original brakes & clutches on my
cars -- I could not get a straight answer about whether or not 'tread
separation' is dangerous & they'd already hit me up for almost $1400+ so I
decided to wait on it -- I emailed Cooper asking if this was normal or
dangerous or if I was entitled to any rebate on new tires & have not heard
from them -- surprised?  

The upshot of my A/C & oil leak problems (previous post -- thanks for Re's)
is that I got the new compressor ('bigger leak'), they broke a hose while
installing it (--> extra day + weekend in shop) + I had tires rotated &
balanced (instead of replaced) + oil/filter change + check all fluid levels
-- all this for almost $1400.

I decided to hold off on replacing evaporator ('smaller leak' -- also more
expensive + another day).

I also held off on oil leak repair (= replace oil pump according to them)
bc I'm hoping hopelessly that the local Audi dealer will make good on their
previous 2 'repairs' that did nothing to the leak 

+ I held off on new tires.

< 1 mile out of the repair shop the temp lite comes on -- I'd never seen it
before -- so I drove back & looked under the hood & coolant/antifreeze was
down 4cm -- I knew it was down about 1cm when I brought it in & asked to
have fluid levels checked & topped -- I thought I exercised commendable
restraint in not checking the levels in their parking lot before I left --
they topped it off & said something about air bubbles in the line -- I've
been checking it almost daily since then bc I was concerned that I'd sprung
a leak somewhere in those lines -- but so far level is staying OK.

 I still have supposedly tire-related vibration + oil leak.

< 2wk after compressor replacement (the 'big leak' -- remember) I have no
a/c & its getting  hotter in Houston.

I'm learning  more about my car but still looking for a decent mechanic.

Cory B