Mike's 4kq project

[AudiSport4000]

Well here we go again. It feels like only yesterday I sold my other 4ktq, when in reality it was about 7 years ago. I've gone through various cars since then but something always brings me back to the 4kq's. This will be a long term project.

I was contacted by a friend in Oregon about a Graphite Metallic 1986 4kq CE. My interest quickly drew since my original 4ktq was also a CE, but in Alpine White. Graphite cars are tough to find, especially in decent shape. My friend knew the seller personally, so after a few phone calls, test drive, etc, I snagged the car and arranged to have it shipped back to Indiana.

Upon delivery I was pretty happy. The car needs paint, but its a very nice rust free and original example, which is exactly what I'm looking for. I am not one to pick up a botched project car that somebody neglected to finish, or buy an already modded car, but thats me. After a quick jump of the battery I set off on the very short 5 minute drive home. I was all grins with no dash lights, crappy headlights, and a very smooth and throaty JT engine. The next evening I spent time vacuuming the interior and making it a presentable place to do some work. It was filthy, but luckily my time paid off and I was rewarded with a nicer interior.

So whats the plan? Not entirely sure, but I've got plenty of time to figure it out. My goal is nowhere near what some here want, but thats what makes me unique. Plus I dont have the disposable income to toss 10k at the car, nor would I want to. I've considered doing another very stock'ish 10vt swap as I really enjoyed my old car. There is always the run of the mill AAN swap, so thats an option as well. 07k is out of my range, price wise, so we arent going there. For now I'll get the interior sorted out, everything working, and drive it some. Already fixed the dash lights, and I have door handles en route. Just need some window regulators and I'll be set for functionality inside.

I'm pretty excited. After I sold the allroad a month ago I had no intention of snagging a project car so soon, but if I didnt get this one I would really kick myself later. Graphite Metallic over red leather is too appealing, IMHO. I realize photos get clicks, so I'll get some taken here pretty soon and post them up. I gotta get the title sorted out too, so hopefully that wont take too long. Until then the car will sit in my warm garage

[DE80q]

Very nice Mike! Cant wait to see how this one plays out. I love your overly clean style.

[ringbearer]

We need more "normal" projects over here
Can't wait to see some pics!

[dana]

there is really no point in a 10vt. For a small amount more money you can have a 20vt on motronic that is soo much easier to get running right, way more reliable and obviously has way more potential.

.....and here comes the taco with some comment on how 10v's are the best engine ever....

[DE80q]

there is really no point in a 10vt. For a small amount more money you can have a 20vt on motronic that is soo much easier to get running right, way more reliable and obviously has way more potential.

.....and here comes the taco with some comment on how 10v's are the best engine ever....

The 10v VS 20v argument will never stop. We all know that the 20v will produce more HP/TQ, and the 10v has the nastalgia. I'm sure what ever Mike chooses, it will be done in his overly clean style.

[dana]

yea but 20v is better is every way, including nostalgia.

[AudiSport4000]

Still unsure what route to go as both have their appeal to me! 20vt is a swap I see a lot of, which is fine and all, but..... I could see myself being very happy with a Motronic setup, like Dana says. The 10vt is just something nobody does anymore, probably because nobody wants to deal with CIS, except me! I loved my MC1 and it was damn reliable too. Whichever way I go I'll use factory engine management. To be continued on that front...

Good news is that I have a line on some red leather goodies, so the interior will be looking spiffy again. I'll probably tote a lot of that back from Carlisle, or make a trip out to Pittsburgh at some point before that to snag it.

What amazes me is how nice and smooth the engine runs. It runs much quieter than my NG, which is probably because the PS pump is a bit noisy.

Anyhow, I'll get photos up soon, promise

[40v4kq]

I saw the pics on FB but we are really going to need those on here I wouldn't mind seeing another 10vt swap since that will be the next build I do If I ever have the money and time and a few other things wrapped up to get around to it.

best of luck. It will be nice to watch another 4kq build.

[AudiSport4000]

Some photos added

Got some parts that should be here in the next few days. All new door handles, trunk shocks, and some other misc things. I got the instrument cluster lighting fixed, so thats nice.

Still looking for a passenger front window regulator, drivers rear tail light, and drivers front turn signal housing in case anyone has these parts!

[glibobbo21]

please get a pornstar red leather wrapped shift knob. haha

[AudiSport4000]

I dunno if I'll go THAT far . I may roll with the original knob for a while. Gotta get some things sorted before I drive this thing on a regular basis. Should have parts tomorrow and spend some time with it in the garage!

[AudiSport4000]

With today off and parts arriving I was able to poke around the car a bit more today. First thing was to install new trunk shocks. Simple enough, done. I ended up with some door handles from autohausaz but some were reluctant to refer them, but I gave them a shot. First thing is I noticed the drivers tumbler doesnt accept the main key I have, but it accepts the spare key. Upon pulling the door panel and handle its evident the plastic piece snapped on the inside. There is also a plastic piece with a clip that the door latch rod holds on to, and I need a new one of those. I'll have to rekey the drivers lock. Never done this before but from the stuff I've found it looks pretty easy.

I messed around with a few other things. Lubed the drivers rear door latch as it was pretty squeaky and tossed in a new interior light assembly. I also found that when I pulled the drivers arm rest the power mirror connector wasnt hooked up to the switch. A quick test found the switch was not working, so I tossed that inside and opted to tear into it. I think I fixed one of these years ago, but I had to search for a few helpful hints. After some cleaning the switch works great...bonus!

Whats next? When the next batch of parts gets here I can hopefully have the pass front window regulator fixed, both front door handles operational with one key, drivers rear tail light replaced, drivers front turn signal replaced, new battery, and the gas gauge fixed. I still need to sort out the title too. Lots of little things to take care of, but some good news is that I have lots of red leather goodies waiting to join me at Carlisle this year. Spare door panels and some seats!

Now if I can just decide on what engine to use....

[DE80q]

Gotta love the porno leather! I figured it wouldn't take you long before you started getting things straightened out.

As for the engine, I would find a good MC1 for that one. But then I'm just one of "those 10v guys"...

[AudiSport4000]

I figure once I get the door handles, window regulator, and a few small things sorted out I'll drive it as is for a while. I'll then accumulate parts for the swap, but no ETA on when that will start. Feels good to just work on something you dont have to drive the next day

Ordered more parts last night. Should be here hopefully next week.

[Zaworek]

i like that red interior with grey outside you should try to restore the interior looks great

[DE80q]

i like that red interior with grey outside you should try to restore the interior looks great

If you are coming to Carlisle, maybe Mike will bring this there. Only if he gets all the little things straightened out, as per the Mike way.

[AudiSport4000]

I have red leather interior goodies to pick up at Carlisle thankfully. The seats are actually in pretty good shape. Drivers butt bolster is flat. Door cards will be replaced with better ones I pick up in May. I'll toss in my good back seat at some point when its drivable.

Working on getting the interior sorted out. Gotta pull the fuel sender because the gauge really doesnt work. Looks like I have a few spare clusters enroute too, so that will help. I'll also need another headlight switch socket as mine is in sad shape (they all are). I'll need a turn signal stalk too. So basically a lot of little crap . No rush though, just slow and steady.

Here is my old 4ktq with the same type of interior. The seats were REALLY nice. Miss those.

[40v4kq]

I have a tip for the door handles... the autohause ones suck, and the gaskets from them are unuseable. When I replaced mine I used their handles and tried their gaskets but the gaskets are too soft and already deformed when they get shipped and they don't stay in place because they don't even fit the handle. Luckily at the time factory gaskets were still available so I ordered up four of each. Had to trim the door handles so they fit and it turned out alright.

[AudiSport4000]

For some reason the larger gaskets I got fit really well and appear to be OEM-ish, but the smaller ones are awful. I have an order from the dealership en route with the OEM gaskets. I just need to rekey the drivers tumbler and wait for a few more parts and the door handles should be fixed.
I also have a few spare instrument clusters coming as mine is a but worse for the wear. I had to get the dremel out to extract a broken stud from the gas gauge. Lots of small things to do but I'll take my time. Window regulators, drivers rear tail light and front turn signal housing showed up today, so I'll inspect all of that this weekend.

[AudiSport4000]

More work today.

Drivers rear tail light, drivers front turn signal, and passenger front window regulator all replaced. I am just waiting on some parts so I can get the front door handles all taken care of.

I did find that I am blowing the 5amp fuse for the drivers side of the cars' tail lights and corner marker light. Gotta dive in and see where the issue is. Good progress today.

[40v4kq]

Look for broken wires where the harness goes into the trunk lid by the driver side trunk shock.

[AudiSport4000]

Smart idea. Its about time Ive had this kind of problem as I never have with any Audi I've owned before! I gotta buy more fuses as I dont appear to have anymore 5amp ones. Hopefully more parts come this week and I can continue my onslaught with this thing.

Thanks Dan!

[AudiSport4000]

More parts on the bed to install.

- Turn signal stalk
- A few very nice spare trip computer instrument clusters
- Box of fuses
- OEM door handle goodies (screws, washers, gaskets, etc)
- Sealing ribbon for tail lights (for V8 tails later on)

Supposed to get a lot of snow (over a foot) over the next few days, but I have Monday off work, so hopefully I can dig into things. I REALLY want to get the drivers lock cylinder figured out. My idea is to get a new dummy key cut and if that ends up working out use it and make a few new keys with the OEM period correct blanks I have. Currently the drivers door uses a different key than everything else.

More pics soon!

[AudiSport4000]

It was nearly 50 degrees here today so I took advantage of a slow Saturday to poke around the car a bit. I'm still waiting on some extra lock cylinder wafers so I can re-key my drivers lock, but I got the pass front handle out. I'll use that lock cylinder as a guide for the drivers side.

I got a few extra parts in the mail so I planned on installing them. First thing was to see if the rear windows worked, because I was told that they didnt. Oddly enough they work with the switch in the dash, but not the doors. I suspect the switches arent hooked up back there. Luckily they work!

Next up was the trunk wiring as I was blowing the fuse for the lights on the drivers side. As expected and noted by others there are some wires that need attention. I'll take care of this tomorrow with some new wire, solder, and tape.



Lastly I was trying to figure out why the trunk doesnt open when its in the position where you dont need the key. It works if you put the key in, turn right a bit, and push in. I'm not entirely sure what I'm missing or what is supposed to happen, so maybe somebody can check or even help on this. Some insight would be helpful. I did get a spare lock cylinder assembly, but even from that I cant tell how its supposed to unlatch.

[AudiSport4000]

The drivers door used a different key than the others. I really dont care for that so I opted to re-key the drivers lock cylinder. Driggs was kind enough to send me a few spare tumblers which had extra wafers in them. My goal was to match up the passenger side lock cylinder with the new one.

The front handles I got were from Autohausaz and not too bad in terms of quality *knock on wood*. My original thought was to new the brand new lock cylinders but old wafers, but that didnt work. Perhaps the new springs with the old wafers was an issue. Either way I had to swap out a few of the wafers and I was in business. The clips that attach to the end of each handle (I bought about 6 of them new) went on great and the installation of the front handles was very smooth. I now just need a new or different pass front lock rod as something is wrong with mine (I think Driggs mentioned this to me). Luckily they are only 10 bucks, but if somebody has one I wont turn it down. Lastly I tossed on a minty OEM pass rear handle. All handles open and shut with ease! I was a bit spooked as I bought all new hardware, but the screw that goes in from the side of the door is a torx, not a normal phillips head. I used one of my new ones only to find a fat phillips screw in the cubby near the end, oh well. Its not pretty, but the drivers panel is on. Progress!



Also got the trunk hinge wiring taken care of. There were a few wires in sad need of repair. Got the soldering iron out and tackled that. Lights work as they should, no fuse blowing.

With that out of the way I was going to pull the fuel sender in the tank. I had done this before and it came out easily, but this one wont budge. Any tips here? I'm going counter clockwise with a hammer and screwdriver/pipe/etc. Tips would be nice.

Also, the power locks dont seem to work. Ive never had to troubleshoot this. Tips on where to start? I did check the vac reservoir in the trunk, and its there with the vac line attached. This may be why the trunk doesnt open without the key?

I am at the point where I could drive the car as it sits. I just need to get the title sorted out (its in the works, but a slow process). Car wants to be driven . I told Anna I wanted to drive it to Carlisle, and she looked at me with big eyes like I had no idea what I was doing. Rest assured it will pass my test before making a long haul