I just had a customer break down comming off the pa turnpike. She was towed into my shop and here we find 7 stripped teeth on the belt. 102,xxx miles on the car. I dont give a **ck what audi says about the 1.8 timing belt interval. Change your ****. If not you will have a 1500-4000 dollar bill. She was covered under warranty though for pre mature breakage. Bent valves and cracked pistons are not good. So please change your belt.

 

Every 60-75k!

 

ya i gotta look into that...my '01 has 56,000.

 

I think it's just Pennsylvania...

Mine broke just before exit 1 on I-70 crossing in from Ohio, lol. I had enough speed to get up the off-ramp. Then I got a tow to the Sewickley dealer north of Pittsburgh.

 

You have the updated tensioner in your 01. Its the pre 2000 engines that dont have the updated tensioner and are the cause of premature tbelt failure. Your probably good to go until 70-80k miles without having to worry.

 

Um this guy i was gonna buy a car off said he wwent to his machanic and he said the TB was fine...but he had 97000 and still hasnt changed it...so i dont know if i should still buy the car or not? help please

 

...what kind of car?

 

Never trust anyone with the name "this guy," "that guy," or "some guy." Get a receipt.

 

badump-bump

This happened to me. The cup (on the left unit) that keeps the ball joint in place stretched and came apart. Luckily I caught it before it let the belt go. The car sounded like a diesel truck for a bit though. The new TB tensioner is simply a pin that puts pressure on the pully plate - no ball joint to fail.

 

If he cant prove its been changed, offer him 1500 less than what he is asking to get the t-belt covered because you would be an idiot not to have it done right away.

How long has he had the car? What year is it? Or, tell him to have the t-belt replaced and you'll buy it.

Good luck.