Has anyone ever had a timing belt break ?

Do Audi have clearance with valves to cater for broken belts or do pistons smash valves ?

 

Audi/VW's engine design is of an interference type, so when the belt breaks the pistons come in contact with the valves...

 

I bought my 1.8t at 103,000 the previous 1 owner was a 50 year old guy, He had his car cared for only at Audi dealership. When they recommended th 90,000 mile service he traded it in. Then I got my hands on it no doubt giving the car more gas than the old man. The timing belt tensioner all of a sudden started making a knocking noise at 110,000 miles. I parked the car when I first heard this and had it Triple A home. Took it apart to find the tensioner had seperated as they all do on the unimproved tensioner.
Anyway I had my buddy changethe beltfor me and the cars running great. I believe that if I drove the car like an old man it would have lasted a little longer, But beating on it didnt'make it last . needless to say change the belt before beating on it any longer. Just thought Id share my experience.

 

plan on doing the TB soon anyways, probably spring break or during the summer. Im a college student in upstate ny...AKA its cold as ***** outside right now. How mechanically inclined do i need to be do to a tb, water pump, tensioner and all the other goodies. I have a limited knowledge base working with cars, but I am extremely willing to learn. im guessing get the whole kit from awe tuning or something. is this the kind of job i should be doing myself? or send it out to a garage? I have an enclosed area i can work in when im back home in jersey at my parents place, and have most of the basic tools (full wrench set, workshop, jack jackstands and creeper)
BTW thanks for everyones quick responses!!!

 

if you can take the front end off, you'll need a special tool that the gears in place while you change the belt, Look up A DIY on it and see if it is within yor mechanical abilities. But I really think you need to have it done ASAP.

 

well you don't "technically" need a special tool...its just MUCH safer to do so. I didn't realize I needed one until I put mine back together lol. Just make sure that when the tick on the came gear matches up witht he mark on the engine that the pistons are at top dead center. but once again...much safer to use the special tool

 

It's kind of like not coloring outside the lines.....

Car are all nuts and bolts, you can do it.