im new to audi's, i just wanted to know what would happen if i didnt change the timing belt and replace the water pump? cause my 99 a4 1.8tq has about 87k and it is leaking a little cooling fluid, but dont know where from...is it cause of this?

 

omg u dont want the timing belt to break, it will do horrible damage to your engine

 

leaking coolant can very well be from a failing water pump....you should replace your pump and tb as soon as possible...

 

Is the 1.8T a non-interference engine?

 

no it is an interference engine. Whats your mod budget btw?

 

Probably a couple of thousand bucksto start with.

 

Sorry, we don't have "bits and bobs" in the U.S. you'll have to import those. j/k

I'm hoping to get a `99 A4 1.8T QMS this weekend. I'm planning on an MTM chip and exhaust.

I would some day like to upgrade the injectors, turbo, etc, but a little unsure of the ideal tuner for the best powerband: "flat" torque curve starting in low RPMs.

BTW, around $1k for timing belt change seems to be about normal as it seems they usually also put new seals in. To put my mind at ease I had a pre-purchase inspection done because 1) I'm a few hundred miles from the car and 2) I wanted to know the over all condition and what I was getting myself into.

 

Shop around for a good VW mechanic. I had my belt,pump and cam seals done for 300 dollars labour plus the cost of the kit from ECS.