mickster

Okay-so I realized it's actually been about 30 months (2 1/2 years) since the 1991 S4 I am buying has been driven and fluids replaced.

Everything was done 1000 miles prior to then.

The car has had the battery maintained and it starts up perfect.

That said, with 30 month old fluids (brake, oil, ATF, PSD, PS, Gas) what should I be changing? I haven't picked up the car yet. 50 miles or so in that time.

The PS rack is new.

I know normally 2 years for brake fluid or water can build up. I wonder if I should siphon off any gas in the tank and should I put in any additives? Power Steering? The AT was serviced and filters all changed back then. The ATF I think is the last thing to change, no? The PSD was serviced-don't want to touch it. Oil change time I believe?

Michael

Speedtoys

Maybe A/F and brakes..but nothing would stop me from just driving it, and getting to them at some point..no emergency here.

Mine sat for 12yrs...drove it home...got to everything eventually.

Th Dude

After 12 years I would've been scared ****less about the age of the t-belt.

Lizard928

Change all fluids.

Speedtoys

It was changed near the end of that..as the owners attempted to work it out, but never did the obvious stuff.

jeff spahn

I would just begin the regular maintenance again. Brake fluid is due so do that and then figure in the rest of the stuff per a normal time/mileage schedule. Maybe it is time, look in manual.

mickster

The ATF filter is 1000 miles old. I would assume I am safe just changing the fluids.
I'm going Mobil 1 15/50 (let's NOT open this discussion).
For ATF?
For PS Fluid?
For brakes?
PSD?

Rob Edwards

ATF: Mobil I synthetic Dexron VI

PS: Redline D4 ATF

Brakes and PSD: Castrol GT LMA Synthetic, or Ate Super Blue

Mrmerlin

I Use Valvoline Max life for the trans and Power steering thus only one flavor is on the shelf.
Max life works well,

I would leave the trans and Power steering fluid as they are,
they have only seen 1k miles not many heat cycles so they are probably in good condition.

I would consider swapping out the coolant with 2 gallons of Zerex Z05 and 2 gallons of distilled water.
Replace the heater control valve and short hose,
also inspect the thermostat rear seal and consider swapping out the thermostat and coolant bottle cap

mickster

Thanks Jeff!

mickster

Thanks Rob & Stan! The PS and ATF I would rather not change so quickly-probably barely seated and the PS Rack was new 1000 miles ago and filter was changed in AT 1000 miles ago as well.

Definitely the Antifreeze, Brakes, Oil-Check.

mickster

Just curious-with 18" Turbo Twists, do those brakes look like Big Reds from a GTS?

Michael

Rob Edwards

No idea on the brakes but if you like I can put you in touch with Scott Anderson, he can fill you in (more) on the car.

mickster

Thank you Rob but I don't think it is right since he sold it back in 2010 to the person I am buying it from. He's got no interest in this car now.

I have a lot of notes from him in my emails, just not the original eBay listing.

NoVector

As a guy who just spent $1,500 fixing his PSD (to include slave cylinder and control valve), I would at least take off the cover and have a look at the resivoir and see if the fluid is brown and crappy looking (or blue and crappy if they used Super Blue). The guidance is flush it every 2 years, but unlike brakes, the PSD has a vent-line at the top of the cap so, the fluid is always exposed to air. Flushing was super easy with the OC's guide.

I may have missed it in the thread above, but there's the tansaxle too. I recently dumped and filled mine with Royal Purple and I won't lie, I was expecting to have leaks due to it being synthetic, but 2 months later, no weeping or leaks.

BTW - VERY nice looking car