This might be a stupid question but
 

is a timing belt and serpentine belt the same thing?

Today on my way home from work in my '02 A6 I heard a thud while sitting at the light near my house. When I got home Inoticed aburning belt smell as soon as I got out of the car.I opened the hood and could see the belt at the front of the engine (just behind the radiator) was nearly completely off and what looks like a tensioner pulley is laying at the bottom of the engine compartment.

I'm assuming my water pump and timing belt went out but I've always known that front belt as a serpentine belt.

Also the closest shop to my home is about 3 miles, will it be ok to drive directly to the shop?

RE: This might be a stupid question but
 

both different things lucky for you if it were the timing belt you wouldn't have got home, im assuming its a 1.8??

[IMG]local://upfiles/12092/BF5C7F0B3F0043828A81E2ADA71D06DB.jpg[/IMG]

RE: This might be a stupid question but
 

3.0 I just looked through your posts;)

[IMG]local://upfiles/12092/3786E244604F487D960A118AB32F510C.jpg[/IMG]

RE: This might be a stupid question but
 

So how is that price wise compared to timing belt replacement?

RE: This might be a stupid question but
 

a few $$ as opposed to $900 +to get the timing belt done, you cant visually see the timing belt because its under plastic covers

RE: This might be a stupid question but
 

sorry about the fuzzy picture but its cold here:)that's the timing belt #1 of 1

[IMG]local://upfiles/12092/2CF9409F6A6C446681105B9560678448.jpg[/IMG]

RE: This might be a stupid question but
 

Here are a couple pics of it.

Looking straight down at the belt after pulling little plastic Audi cover off top of engine.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...p/DSC03153.jpg

If you look you can see what looks like a tensioner or something at the bottom of engine compartment.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...p/DSC03154.jpg

close up of the object at bottom.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...p/DSC03161.jpg

What appears to be plastic peces of some sort that probably are when the tensioner or pully came off.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c1...p/DSC03159.jpg

Thanks for your help man, because I had no idea what the difference is. I'm learning though thanks to everyone here. You see anything from those pictures?

-Michael

RE: This might be a stupid question but
 

that's the serp belt

RE: This might be a stupid question but
 

Dave, Thank you I appreaciate you taking the time to answer my question. I might have another related question but now I'm off to do some research.

Oh, is it ok to drive the 3 miles to the shop?

RE: This might be a stupid question but
 

you will know when it snaps the power steering will go real hard