Hello everyone:

I own a 1999.5 A4 quattro, 1.8, w/ 86k miles. Last week, I took it in to the local dealership due to a sudden strange noise coming from the engine. I was told the timing belt tensioner pulley and dampener were shot, and that they needed replacement. Failure to replace, they said, would result in timing belt failure, which fortunately has not yet happened. After doing a little research, I discovered the class action settlement in 2005 in New Jersey regarding these problems.

I never received notice of this lawsuit, nor did I receive anything from Audi regarding its revised maintenance program. However, I just happened to take my car in at 77k miles in December '05 for a totally unrelated issue, at which time the dealership did what I now know (from review of my work receipts) was the JK campaign inspection of the timing belt tensioner. They did not advise repalcement at that time.

Audi (both corporate and the dealership) have refused to accept responsibility for the costs of repair, taking the position that the timing belt is what is covered, and since it's not broken, the warranty is not triggered. This position is clearly not suuported by the terms of the settlement, which clearly state that the warranty covers the "timing belt tensioner system." Thus, I cannot for the life of me understand how they can take the position (especially in light of the fact that I never received notice about ANY of the issues surrounding the timing belt) that this is not covered by the revised warranty. Although I was unaware of it, I unwittingly followed the inspection protocol by having the timing belt campaign done at the (roughly) 80k mark. I wanted to post to see if anyone has had a similar experience, and what the outcome was. and for any thoughts you may have on my position that this is covered.

Thanks in advance for any comments.

Stepho8

You should replace the timing belt around 90K mi.
Find an independent mechanic. It should take 4 hours labor.
Total cost with water pump, tensioner and pulley should be less than
$800.

I agree 100%.
Took mine to an independent mechanic... took 3 hours, water pump, tensioner and pully etc all inculded....$700

Don't waste your time with the dealer giving you the run around and wanting to charge you $1000 at a minimum. It's something that has to be done, so don't wait too long on it.

Its not broke, and you're out of warranty.
Get it replaced right away, beforethe tensionerbreaks and then you are really in trouble.

Yeah, Our engines are interferance engines so if it does break it will destroy/bend all your valves due to the pistons hitting them.

Josh

Hello again; thanks for your replies. My post is probably not clear enough; I believe that my problem is covered under the warranty that Audi extended to 105k miles as a result of the settlement, and was hoping to hear if anyone out there had gone through successfully making a claim to Audi.

Thanks in advance.

Stepho8

Even though my timing belt never broke, my dealer told me that if it did break, they would cover it because:

1. I was under the Audi Assured to 100k Warrenty.
2. Because of the warrenty, everything was done at the dealer, and I had documentation.

Since I went to 100k and it didn't break, I had it replaced at 101k because I'm not covered anymore.

If you don't have both of those, you may have some trouble getting them to cover it.

I had the exact problem you are facing. In the 2000 service manual it clearly states that the timing belt should be changed with the 120,000 mile service. It says that in no other years manual but the 2000. Mine broke on the highway cruising at 70 mph in 5th gear. Head was shot and had to replace it. I had 114,XXX on my car when it broke and tried to have AOA cover the damage to the head and the labor but after 4 weeks of calling AOA and the GM of sonnen audi in santa rosa I was granted 10% off total repairs and was left with a $3500 invoice. And the kicker was it broke at 10pm and I had an appt to have it changed the next day at 8am!

yah my timing belt broke as well. I can not believe you guys dont change your timing belt until you have a **** load of miles on it. I have always been told to change it at 70k!!! My timing belt snapped at 66k and F-ed up all the valves in the head. Had to replace the head, get it rebuilt.... all i had done at a local tuner shop. Luckily, at the time i was a porter at an Audi dealer and was good friends with the manager. He addressed a full statement describing what happened and I was reimbursed 60% of the fees it cost me to replace and fix everything. It is still bullshit that they didnt give me 100% back or having a timing belt snap WAY to early in its mileage. The car never ran the same again and continued having more problems with it. I just said **** it and sold the piece to some guy and let him deal with it. What a ******* headache!!! Anyways i have a 2001 now and love it, I had my timing belt done as soon as i bought it with 60k. Not dealing with that bullshit ever again.
By the way, i didnt get reimbursed the 60% until a year after I had everything repaired. I cant believe 2KA4 you only got 10%, thats a joke... i would be more pissed after they told that to me!!!

My manual states that the timing belt replacement should occur at 105k miles... obviously out of my CPO 100k warranty.