I think I know the answer, but looking at this Haynes manual (got a Bentley one on the way), it says disconnecting the battery on my 98 A4 Avant may/will set a code that a consumer grade scan tool cannot remove. Is that true or BS? A brief search here tells forum members to disconnect the battery as a first resort in clearing CEL's. Have a Actron 9180.

Also am looking thru the previous owner records to see if the timing belt has been changed as I see it's an interference engine. I'm sure it has as the PO never skimped on maintenance, but haven't seen it spelled out. Maybe it's a 60K or 90K service item? The car as 147K, so it's either been done or ready to pop. LOL. I guess I should check with the dealer that did it.

For us do-it-yourselfers, any special tools needed to do the belt? Where do you guys get parts? I see the kits on ebay. Looks like most people do the water pump at the same time?

 

blauparts.com sells a good TB kit at a good price

 

I found the paperwork. 60K miles since the belt was last changed, along with the pump and the idlers. Yikes. $1071.

That should mean another 30K easy before I should change it, right?

 

Its been 147k-60k = 87k since the belt was done. I would think about doing it soon. The blauparts kit is ~$250.

 

Yep, it's got 60K miles since the last change. I thought the belt was good to 90K miles, but after searching, it seems everyone says the idlers drop out around 60K. Nuts.

Next, I see that I should be in the B5 forum, since there's more activity there.

Then, I see why they charge $1071 to do this after reading a few writeups on the 1.8. I've done numerous in-line fours and never had to drop the front end. LOL.

Finally, I see that I'll need a tool to hold the cams for a 2.8. It seems the convenient way to do it is to order the TB kit and rent the tools from blauparts.com.

Oh well, something to do this Spring before it gets too hot.