Hello all:

I just recieved some disturbing news. I took my 98 A4 to the dealership because in the middle of driving my instrument panel would light up like a christmas tree, tachometer would register 0, ABS light would come on, E-break light would come on, oil light, tracktion control, trunk... pretty much all of them. I figured that there was a short somewhere in the system.

They told me that there were a bunch of problems:

1- cam shaft timing chain is off
2- breakfluid reservoir cracked and leaking
3- powerstearing fluid leak in hoses
4- ABS system mafunction
5- instrument panel short
6- cooling fan was shot
7- worn out main belt

total price for the fix 3800.00 + tax

The strange thing is that last February the car was taken to the dealership in my home town and they gave it a clean bill of health... how could so much go wrong in such a short period of time? I have been even driving less! It sounds fishy to me... can all that go undetected at a full check up 4 months prior?

 

Bizzare!
Can you get the car VAGed? See the codes for yourself.

The instrument panel short is the only thing that sounds legit.
Brake fluid is leaking? How much?
ABS system is malfunctioning? HOW? Without you knowing this?
If the mileage is at or above 60K, then the timing belt does need to be replaced. Maybe they are milking that one.
Power steering fluid leak? Same questions as for the brakes.
And what the hell does "cooling fan is shot" mean? It's a fan! What is the issue with that?

One third of the price is legit for the belt and instrument cluster repair. The rest? Give me a break!! Let me see the codes and the actual problems. Show me!

Still, I'd find a friend who has a VAG-COM and get the info independently, not from Audi.

 

the brake and power steering fluid leaks you can check for yourself...

the abs light would be on when your driving...is it?

and did the say timing chain because like imolas said its a belt it seems like a small point but if they said chain maybe the didnt even look..
and yes the cooling fan runs off a belt they only thing that can break on it is the clutch and thats doubtful

Anyways when ever a bill gets above $500 dollars I tell people to get a second opinion

 

They could have been talking about the cam chain maybe? That would give you a clackity clack sound, mainly when you first start the car (because of lower oil pressure). Even then, this is an indication of a dead cam chain tensioner. This has nothing to do with the timing belt.

 

I wish I sow your post erlier i would save $400 I changed my timing belt. Know i have tu replace cam chain tensioner + $410

 

yea 3800 is a rip take it to a local shop or your local tuning shop they will not give it to u in da *** like the dealer

 

I just got the quote on my 98 A4 Quattro for the timing belt replacement. It is 900, this includes the belt, tensioner, water pump and the themostart. Does this sound resonable?

Thank you.

 

is that canadian or us dollar we are talking ?

 

US dollars. Wait.. is that supposed to mean i am getting this done real good.

 

Konboy - you should really start your own thread instead of ressurecting one thats been dead for over a month.