I have a 1997 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro at 100000 km. My car didn't start up a few days ago when the temperature was -29 degree celcius in Canada. So I towed the car to the garage and asked them to check it out. I am a bit skeptical about what I hear back from the garage and would like to see if anyone can help me out on this.



The garage told me that there's not enough compression to start the engine because the intake and exhaust valves on the cylinder are bent. And the reason for the bend is because of a malfunctioning oil pump that put excussive oil pressure to the lifters.



My first question is whether excessive oil pressure to the lifters might cause the valves to be bent?



To make things more mysterious, I just had a timing belt change done by the same garage a week ago. And I think that if the timing belt is done improperly, it is possible for the valves to open and close at incorrect times, allowing it to be hit by the pistons. The garage told me that the timing belts are okay, and I don't have any evidence to prove them wrong.



So my second question is whether there are any possible connections between the timing belt change and the bent valves? If there is a possible connection, how long does it take for symptoms of bent valves to show up after the timing belt is installed? I have been able to drive for one week (roughly 100 km) without problems? Is it long enough to rule out the connection between the two?



The repair for the new oil pump plus all the valves is going to cost me $2800 Canadian. And I spent a big sum on the timing belt last week. So it would be helpful is someone can tell me whether this incident is normal wear and tear, or if there are any possibilities that the timing belt change caused the damage?



Thanks! Feel free to email me if you have any info.



Leo

email:lhschan@hotmail.com

 

get a 2nd opinion. I don't know how you're gonna get the car there though... I really don't think its normal, only 62k miles on it, my car has a tick because it needs new lifters, but it still starts fine.

 

Mine has 85,000 miles on it.</P>

 

Here's a clue......... </P>


"They did the timing belt" </P>


There won't be any compression if the valves are bent, I would seek a 2nd opinion and get the 1st garage to pay for the repairs, sounds to me like they didn't set up the cam timing right or that the belt/adjuster(tensioner) was incorrect causing the belt to jump teeth and cause the damage.</P>


That is an interference head (meaning the valves will hit the pistons) and if they have already removed the belt you may have NO claim against them.</P>


As a rule of thumb you should always change the water pump and belt tensioners when replacing the belt <img border="0" src= smileys/smiley1.gif></P>

 

EEEEK!
THis is why I do all of my own work. higher oil pressure is most likely NOT going to cause this. our engines see up to 7bar or pressure sometimes. this is VERY unlikely. if the timing belt is done wrong then it will bend the valves IMMEDIATELY. if you can , check to see if they changed the tensioner on the belt when they changed the belt itself. this could DEFF be the problem. If they didn't change the tensioner for the TB, it could have failed and you will bend all of your valves. this would be their fault if you paid for the new part and they didn't install it. DO NOT let them remove any parts. take pictures of the timing belt and the other stuff.
YOU can remove the bumper and the radiator / AC cooler VERY easily (many DIYs on audoworld.com) and take pictures of these parts to have for your record. Just make sure to not let them lie to you if you aren't very knowledgable about cars. SHops tend to do that alot .. A$$E$
Best of luck

 

Why did you add to a 3 year old thread?