Hi
I am in general pretty confused after reading so much about timing belt issue in 1997 Audi A4 1.8T..
I have heard & read so many views about timing belt changing time.
Please help.
I just bought mine at 69000 miles with no previous service history.
Should I get it changed..or just inspected?
Wats the best possible way to get reimbursed in case I need to change the timing belt?

Thanx

 

I would change it for sure you have the old style tensioner pulley and that can't be trusted much past 70K.

 

How come everyone is so adament about changing the belt between 60-70k when the car manual says 105k? I have '02 1.8t quattro 5spd manual btw.

 

1997 belt change is 74,564 2002 is 111,846 and its all down to better materials and bearings, the tension and idler rollers were the problem for snapping belts also cheap water pumps and not putting antifreeze in helped that on its way

 

Thanx buddy
So do you think I shud get water pump changed too along with the belt? Or can the water pump last longer ..like over 100,000 miles?

 

if I were in your situation with no service data for peace of mind and a saving of money on unnecessary re-strip downs I would do the lot regardless, you could check with Audi for service data because its logged on their computers

 

the tensioner was a recall here in the UK but dont know about the USA

 

Thanx again... okkkk I think I gotta spend some money to keep myself safe than sorry..hmmm ....
Why dont they just put parts that never need to be changed..... [:@]
The f***** dealerships suck you so badly...
I hate them... BUT They are the necessary evil at times..just like the grooves in tires...
Just one more thing.. I heard there was a lawsuit involving this changing of timing belt thing...and Audi replaced every users timing belt for free and even paid back to some owners who had paid for the repair somewhere else.
Is there a way I can get it done for free from Audi? I really low on my budget at the moment....

 

if they had to change the tensioner through a recall they would have to change the timing belt its standard practice at the dealers so I would check on recalls then at least you get that part free including parts then you can ask them to replace the rollers and pump at the same time "worth a shot"

 

Thanx a million...