well i was reading the maintenance schedule on all A4's and noticed that the ribbed belt should have been changed at 80K miles and im already at 85K miles, do you guys think I can get away with waiting to do it at 100K miles so that I can do the timing belt, v-belt, pumps, etc. all in one shot? Thanks to everyone in advance!!

I know all these are conncted on the ribbed belt path:
[*]1 - Generator(alternator i think) 2 - Ribbed belt 3 - Power steering pump 4 - A/C compressor 5 - Crankshaft 6 - Tensioner roller [/ul]

 

there is a possibility that you can. but i wouldn't risk it. change it all ASAP

 

is there any real way to check it for tears and stuff or not?

 

Yeah thats not someting you want to break and your stuck in the middle of no where and have no way to fix it.I would just save myself the headaches and change it now.

 

If you don't want to have to buy a new engine or rebuild it, then change that bad boy out. Much cheaper in the long run.

 

you could probably get away with it but id only wait til i have the money to get it done, espacially if you have the 1.8t which are prone to stock tb breakage.

 

It is time to do the timing belt anyway. Do the associated belts at the same time as you are already in the engine.

 

If you don't intend to keep the car past 175K mi. ,
do it now.

 

im in the same boat, all ineed to do is save up money but i keep having to fix all this other crap on the car which is keeping me from fixing the TB.

 

Timing belt should come first. These cars are interference engines which means that if the timing belt goes, you are looking at an engine rebuild.