Even with the pump disabled while cranking, the injectors are still firing and fuel is draining nicely onto the walls of the bores (so long as there is some residual pressure in the rail). That's why I prefer cutting off power to the injectors.
Since your engine feels strong, I was beginning to ...

Here is my one-man compression test workaround:

Since my arms are not telescoping/articulating, I deploy my red-neck remote-start switch (one hand with a jumper at the starter solenoid coil, eyes on the gage, my other hand is busy holding the beer :lol:

Nice trick, I will give it a go.

And I ...

Alright, just came back from the job half way done. First the good stuff: the spark plugs look fine, there is no unusual deposits on them, they appear a schoolbook example of good combustion.

Now the bad part: whoever put the spark plugs in probably didn't use anti-seize compound, but even that ...

Thanks, they probably are. I just realized I got a set of torx keys which I can use to figure out the correct size.

Getting ready to replace the damn temperature sensor, but no matter how deep I dig I can't get the info about the size of the three torx bolts that I have to remove. Can anyone confirm the size as I am planning to get a new torx ratchet head to minimise the risk of stripping them. The sensor itself ...

"...Apologies for the stupid question, I suspected there was no advanced witchery to it..."

Not a stupid question at all. Seriously, when I wrote that I thought to myself "What if they ask what the proper flow volume should be?" I guess it's just one of those things where you say to yourself "That ...

"...When it gets warm I can hear a very faint hissing from the cap..."

I'm not sure if that's OK. I've always assumed that the cap shouldn't pass gas unless the pressure becomes "unusually" high. I wouldn't think that if the temp gauge is at mid point or even slightly above, that the cap should be ...

Audis (& VWs) have changed since '86. Today's layouts will have the home mechanic's head spinning.

We owned a '79 Audi 5E in the 90s (5 cylinder North/South configuration with FWD) and we loved it. Very easy to work on and looking back on it don't know why I sold it. It was on its 2nd $300 fuel ...

I learned a lot too, I wish I had a suitable place to take the thing apart myself. :) Before going that route I need a backup vehicle anyway.

Back home I have a '86 Audi, was my daily ride since I bought it in 1996, and never had a single problem. Very easy to work on as well unlike some other ...

Riba!!! in case you plan not to continue with this s80, let me know, I might need parts :)

Cheers! and good luck for sure.

Haha, sure! As I need to get a second car for my wife anyway, I am considering using the Volvo as my 15 minute daily commute to work as it is until it burns out. There are ...