Recently my '97 A4 1.8T's check engine light came on and my mechanic diagnosed it as vacuum hose leak. He mentioned that to replace the 2 hoses would require dismantling the manifold and a total of 6 hours of labour. Anyone here has any experience on this? My timing belt needs to be changed as well. Would it save some labour doing both together and how much would it cost? Your comments will be most appreciated.

 

6 hours of labor charges would buy you the vag-com software and adapter cable and a Bentley CD! You do not need to remove the intake manifold. It's a little painful (not 6X $85 painful) to replace the vacumn hoses. There are a few under the manifold but if you'll remove a few bolts that hold a bracket where some of these hose are connected the task really isn't so bad. If you're keeping this car for a long while you might as well know how to do this as these hoses tend to fail after a few years. Remember what I wrote about the Software and CD.
Good luck with your ride

 

Forgot to mention the timing belt. Also a very do-able task. There are many articles on the net for DIY replacement. Google AUDI A4 timing belt as I forgot the links. It'll take most of your weekend as one tends to want to administer some housekeeping when all is apart. I found that removing the front bumper (an easy task) then your radiator (time to flush anyway?), pulling aside the AC condensor (don't F the hoses) lays wide open the front of your engine. Make sure your first step was to setup cylinder #1 TDC! As a bonus the long vacumn line that runs across the front of the engine to the divertor valve is a simple replacement. Check your divertor valve as well. I read often that many die, usually in chipped cars or cars with larger turbos. Change your water pump as well but no need for a water pump housing. Just purchase the impeller. Good luck.

 

Thanks very much for the advice! NoFlyZone. I'm a little mechanically challenged to do it on my own. But I want to know enough so that I can confront/bargain with my mechanic. I don't like to be had, but I don't mind paying a reasonable price. Thanks again!

 

Good to hear... but sonner or later, you will start wanting to do this stuff yourself. :-)