I just took off my front end to change my timing belt and discovered that the roller on the water pump is loose/broken( moves around ) and the timing belt isn't tightened- it's very loose.

I had just bought this car at an auction as is and didn't know what was wrong with it. It would start but would die right after being started and made a clancking noise that would speed up when gas pedal would be blipped. I asume that that was the loose/ broken roller but don't know. Also the cooling fluid was leaking out completely out of the reservoir so I asummed that the water pump failed and was leaking. So that's why I decided to install a new timing belt kit. So my question is - is this a major problem and did it damage my engine or do I just replace the timing belt and the water pump and everything should be fine. If it's something that causes major problems - I won't bother fixing it but will sell the car as is. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I don't know if I made myself totaly clear so please ask so you could help me in my decision of what do do now.



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Take it to someone who knows what they are doing if you dont.. Congrats on the purchase, but its not the best idea to buy an audi at an auction, especially a 1.8t , because like you said you dont know whats been done to it and comes as is, which is usually fucked up. If your timing belt roller is really broken your timing belt shouldnt even be on which would keep your engine from running at all, i think.. The timing belt kit that comes with the waterpump and everything is a good idea, just make sure that you have someone experienced do the job for you if your not that person.. Worst case scenario is that you have some bent valves and youll need major work done, but id start with just putting the kit on and see how it does.

 

Let me clarify this a little bit... This is a 2.8 manual engine. I am not going to install the timing belt myself - a mechanic friend is. I'm just taking off what I can to save time.
Sorry about naming the post " My timing belt roller is loose or broken!!!!" It's not the timing belt roller/tensioner - it's the water pump roller. The timing belt IS on (fits in rivets) just isn't tight due to the loose water pump roller. The engine DID run if I pressed the gas to keep it going but sounded like it was choking and would die after a little while when gas was let go.
So do I go ahead and install the kit or just drop it? If the valves ARE broken then approximately how much would would it cost to repair/replace? Can this repair be done at home by someone experienced or is this too delicate/complicated to be done in the garage? Thanks again!

 

oh for some reason i thought it was a 1.8t from that pic.. If the belt is on but a little lose you shouldnt have bent valves. I dont know about your engine dying problem.

 

I'm not totaly sure but I think that the car was dying/choking because the throttle settings need to be reset. The car had a dead battery for a long time before I bought it - it was insurance selling the car as unrecovered theft. I founf out that the settings for the throttle can be erased if the battery is replaced or dead for a while. So I'm going to get a reset with a VAG scanner. Does anyone else agree with me or is this not the problem. And just to make this clear - the belt is not so loose that you can pull it off easily- it's still on the rollers and never came off- but since the roller on the water pump is loose/angled it isn't tensioned/tight.

 

I the belt hasn't broken or come totally off, you are probably going to be OK. But if it has skipped a tooth or two on the belt, you may have some damage. Don't run the car until you get the belt and water pump replaced. Good luck.

 

Not to be offensive or anything... While I respect your efforts to find out more about what's wrong and other possibilities and so forth, I think it would be a better idea to take it to a trustworthy shop with experience on Audis to have them examine it. Your engine problem can be MANY things.. such as... intake system, exhaust system, fuel system, can be one of hundreds of sensors...
Since the car has not been driven for a while and is obviously not in running condition(healthy anyways), you should do all maintenances such as oil change, spark plugs, air filter, etc...

Since you got it at an auction, I'm guessing you got a great deal on her. use your savings to make her run!
Congrats, and welcome to da family[&:]

 

agree with above. Your next decision could make the difference btween a 300 dollar repair and a 3000 dollar repair.