THere is alot of fuss around the timing belt problems with 1.8T uear of 98, wut about a 98 2.8 Q do they have the same problems, does a timing belt have to be changed too, and when you say timingt belt, is it the whole new assembly has to be cnanged or just the belt itself, THanks alot guys

P.S. on which models is the timing belt problem, only 1.8T or on 2.8 too and wut year


CHEERs

 

All timing belts/tensioners have to be replaced, as if they snap or the belt skips a tooth, your engine is toast in 2 seconds.

Yes, you should change all the components while you are in there. the major cost is to access the parts, not the parts themselves. Water pump is about 40 to 50 dollars, but labor to access it is 300. Might as well replace it while you are there rather than having to fix it in 6 months..

 

but what if i dont change my tensioners, just change my timing belt like every 45k and check tensioneers for skippin often, can i get away without changing them and if i see taht the yare skippin only then change them. in other words will my engine get fried if a tensioner will skip.;


thanks

 

No you cannot.

You don't get a second chance. Once the belt breaks, or skips because the tensioner failed, you are looking at several thousand dollars for a valve job.

Of course, if you want to play it safe, trade your Audi for a Toyota which has a non-interference engine.

 

There is no reason to not change everything while your in there. You make it sound like you want to just slip a new belt on there quickly and be done. It is an involved process and changing the tensioner and idle pully only add a small amount of time.

 

whats the price ghoing to be from dealer :from a local mechanic

cheers

 

For a dealer to change the timing belt and all the goodies, it will be ~1000-1200 bucks. For jo schmo to change it, it will run you 400-700 bucks. For you to change it, free.

 

alright thanks for eveythin but if i get a car that has 80 k on it, how do i know if it has been changed and also, when si it reccomended to change the belt? because i read the manual is 90k but most ppl say 60

Cheers

 

There really isnt too good of a way to tell. I stuck my head in there and could see the accessory belt was looking cracked and frail. Also some people say if the writing on the belt is faded away, its time to change. Where did you buy it from? Maybe there are some service records at Audi. Audi recommends changing at something like 110k, but thats way too late. Most people say between 60-70. Better safe than sorry!

 

I've got a 99 1.8T. While out of town, with 79,200 miles my tensioner failed and I'm screwed on repair bills - $,$$$'s. Dealers all say change at 80,000. Obviously, mine didn't last that long.