Re: '88 80 Quattro Oil Leak & dead A/C -- 3rd post

["Fred Munro" <munrof@isys.ca>]

----- Original Message -----
From: Cory Brayton <cbrayton@bcm.tmc.edu>
To: <quattro@audifans.com>
Sent: Friday, September 10, 1999 12:43 PM
Subject: '88 80 Quattro Oil Leak & dead A/C -- 3rd post

Hi Cory;

> so  <2weeks after having condenser + broken hose replaced for $1400, there
> was no a/c again -- I took it to a/c 'specialist' who said leak was around
> compressor (replaced < 1yr ago for $1100.)

If the compressor is less than 1 year old, it should still be under
warranty, Cory.

>-- he also noted that the new
> condenser, which was sold to me as genuine Audi & itemized @ $665., has a
> bunch of copper parts & is a cheap knock-off & should be <$200. -- the
> genuine condenser (part #893260L is all Aluminum & $727. retail per local
> Audi parts distributor -- or around $600. to shops) -- do I have any
> recourse with person who sold/installed condenser?  I really don't have a
> problem using a non-Audi part as long as its a good piece of equipment &
> I'm charged appropriately for it.

I just replaced my OEM condenser with a "cheap knock off" copper unit. It
seems to dump more heat than the OEM unit. Cost around CDN$300.

>
> Incidentally -- the condenser installer is the same place (that
specializes
> in foreign & German cars) that 'checked & topped off all fluids' so it
> overheated < 1mile away with almost no coolant in reservoir,  and
> 'balanced' my tires -- 3 of 4 little weights were gone by 3 weeks & the
car
> now pulls right.
>

Regular rim edge mounted weights will not stay on alloy rims for long, even
if you use the "proper" weights supposedly designed for alloys. IME the only
weights which stay on are the adhesive type stuck to the inner surface of
the rim.

> BTW I'm letting the oil leak.
>
> I like the car -- I've had it for 11y & cost only regular maintenance for
> 1st 10 yrs in NE -- I think/hope its a good machine & can't really afford
> to buy anything comparable at the moment -- but I don't know if I can
> afford to maintain it here either -- + its hot in Houston --

Yup, same experience with my '91 200q. Only regular maintenance (oil,
filters, plugs, brakes) up to 250k km, then the wear/age items kick in
(bomb, blower motor, seals, fuel pump,alternator brushes,etc.,etc.). Once it
is all replaced, it should be good for another 250k :o)

>when I call
> up a service station (whose ad says it services foreign cars) this is how
> the conversation goes:
>
> me:  "do you service foreign cars?"
>
> Him:  " Yes, Ma'am." (enthusiastic)
>
> me:  "do you hate Audi's?"
>
> Him:  " Yes, Ma'am." (enthusiastic)
>
> me:  "can you recommend anyone who works on Audi's?"
>
> Him:  " No, Ma'am."  or
> "have you tried the dealers?"
> (Yes -- with pathetic-disastrous results)


LOL :o)


> Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions

> PS -- I've already heard "Get a Honda."

Ho hum

HTH

Fred Munro
'91 200q  281k km