Does the D3 4.2L V8 use timing belts or chains?

 

The 04 model has a timing belt, 05 and beyond has a chain drive 4.2L
The 07 model steps the 4.2 up to direct injection along with a chain drive.

 

Oh and the reason audi uses timing belts instead of chains in the past is because they were trying to make the engine as quiet as possible to compete with other german makes.

 

 

The sound is the easiest way, but if you haven't heard both of them before it can be difficult.
There is no 05 model as far as i know with a timing belt, another way to tell is the chain drive motor is mounted a lot closer to the radiator then the belt driven one, get a carfax of the vehicle before you buy it and make sure you check the owners manual, that will tell you which engine is in the vehicle.

 

 

Oh wow, i can't give any proof of it, all i know is the 05 and newer use full synthetic and the 04 uses regular oil. I've done timing belts on 04's so i know thats what they have. Even I'm a little confused about that too. If you figure it out be sure to let me know as well cause i was always told the 05 and up models were chain driven but the owners manual and the VIN number is the only things thats gonna tell whats in there for sure.

 

 

In the manual you'll be looking in the service section to see if it requires a timing belt replacement or if it says its chain driven so its not needed.
As for the VIN number? I don't have a VIN decoder socalling the dealerwith the VIN number would be necessary to see if they could decode it.

 

See:

http://www.oilshop.ro/catalog/vagvincore.php

for VIN decoding!