Hi, I just bought a 2001 A4 1.8T Fwd Trip with 116K miles on it a few days ago. This morning the car started up fine (the OK! display came on) and I drove to the end of my street where I stopped at a stop sign. At the stop, the car turned off by its-self and wouldn't restart after that. Here's what happens when I try to restart my car.

1. All the lights turn on and everything electronic works fine.
2. The engine makes a "whiirrrrr"ing noise, but does not turn.

I didn't think it was the battery, but I tried jump starting it anyways. That didn't work, so its not the battery.

Now, before I started getting noob-flamed , I've spent a considerable time searching the forum and from the info posted I think its the starter.
To me it sounds like the starter is turning but its not connecting to the engine crank. Someone in a previous post suggested that tapping the starter with a hammer to see if that works. I'd like to try that but I have no idea where the starter is and what it looks like

Also, I'm still not 100% convinced that its the starter because that still doesn't explain why the car died in the first place.
So what do you guys think? Starter or something else? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Good point right there... That is odd. When the car stalled was it a harsh stall with any strange noises or did it just stall as if when you would normally just turn the ingition off?? Usually the whining sound means the starter is dead, but like you said the fact that it happened after it was started and running is wierd. I hate to even suggest it, but if your timing belt snapped that could cause such things. Are you aware of any of the cars past maint. history?

 

No, it was a gentle stop, like when you turn the car off. I don't think it was the timing belt, but I can't rule it out, is there a way to visually check or is the timing belt not visible? I can see, what I think is the serpentine belt behind the fans. and that looks new, so I'm hoping that the timing belt has been changed too.

Unfortunately I don't know much about the service history. All I know is that there was only one owner before me and apparently took good care of the car.

 

if it was the timing belt, wouldn't the car have made some noises or wouldn't i have had some trouble when I pushed the car back into my drive way? It moved pretty easily and without any noise. Now you have me REALLY worried [&o]

 

simple way to check if its the timing belt is remove the belt cover then crank the engine ( the cam should turn with the bottom end ) if it does then check how much power is in the battery and if its being charged up the alternator would be suspect here

 

Hey guys, thanks for all of your comments and suggestions.

I talked to three different mechanics today, they all said the same thing:
That its probably the timing belt.

Whats really ironic and sad is that before I bought the car, i had it
carfaxed, I called audi and asked if they had service records for the
car (they said they did till 99,XXX miles) and I had it checked out by
a mechanic. The mechanic had gave the car a clean bill of health but
obviously couldn't check the timing belt.

As a precaution I decided to set an appointment with the dealership to go over
the records, to do a diagnostic and to possiblly change the timing bet.
This appointment is (was) scheduled for this coming monday.
I figured the car should be ok for a week, but, ^%#*$ *&^#, the belt broke after 4 days.

I guess you can try and plan all you want,
but crap happens. I guess there's not much you can do accept kick
something, swear a little bit, accept it and move on.

I'm really really hoping that there isnt any significant engine damage.
The car was stopped and it turned off without any noticeable drama (no noises, vibrations or otherwise
odd behavior). However, I was talking to my passenger, so I could have missed a slight rattle.

There's still hope that it could be something else! Admittedly its a
very small small hope.

The mechanic I've decided to go with comes pretty well recommended and
he's going to charge me 750 for the timing belt plus any damage repair
costs. (please please GOD let there be none!). Do you guys have any
suggestions as to anything else that I should have checked/replaced
while the engine is open, I guess it'll save labor costs from having to
reopen the engine at a later point to check/fix something else.

I'm definitely going to talk to the mechanic about possible sludge.
I've been reading up on that on the forms. Any suggestions in relation to that?

The car will be towed to the mechanic on Monday for an assessment and
estimate. I don't know when I'll be able to afford to fix it though,
depends on the quote. I'm out of money right now and college life
doesn't pay much. :s

Anyone want to contribute to the "save the silver A4" fund? lol

thanks for all your help,

//sd

 

oh and interesting fact, in talking to the dealer today, it seem like the timing belt on this car has never been changed! (at least there's no record of it). is that possible? 116K

 

Sure it is possible. It is also possible that it was changed, not just at the dealer.

Car not running is either no spark, no fuel, no air, or no timing belt.

The most expensive would be a snapped belt. These engines are interference engines and if the belt snaps the pistons can hit the valves, requiring an engine rebuild.

If you are lucky, have lived a good life and god is smiling upon you, you may not have internal damage.

 

Im at 39k... I fear the time when I have to replace the belt comes

 

a long time to worry about it then the recommended change for you car is 111,846 miles or 180,000 kilometers so take a deep breath and relax