i'm a bit concerned about my timing belt. what's the best time to change it? i've heard anything from 60k all the way up to 105k that the manual says. what do you guys think? should i be freaking out if i'm at 80k and haven't done it yet?

 

Dont freak out, but start saving for it. 90k is pushin it, and i think thats what the manual recommends. Most people say every 60k as a ground rule.

 

no need to freak but i would do it pretty soon.

 

Dont freak but deff. do it soon the manual means nothing. if you want to be safe do it now, especially if you drive hard. I got my kit from pure motor sports(purems.com) for $265 shipped. Well worth it in my opinion, and I only have 66k on my car. "I like to be safe not sorry"

 

Try to do it soon. Im at 82k and my water pump went 2 weeks ago and my timing belt almost jumped.

 

YEAH MAN, DO IT AS SOON AS YOU CAN BUT DONT STRESS OVER IT. I JUST DID MINE. IT TOOK ME LIKE 1 WHOLE DAY AND COST ME LIKE $250 SHIPPED W\FROM WWW.ECSTUNING.COM. THAT WAS WITH NEW TIMING BELT, SERPENTINE BELT, WATER PUMP, IDLE ROLLER, AND TENSIONER. PLUS WHILE YOU'RE AT IT YOU MIGHT AS WELL THROW ON AN APR SNUB.

 

You can check the condition of the belt. Feel it to check the depth of the "teeth" on the belt. Look for writing. Mine, for instance, is clearly marked with the Audi logo and part number. You also should look for cracks in the belt.

These are all good indicators of when to freak!

 

Depends on your yr. if you should be freakin or not. If you have a 2000 or later, you have the updated tensioner and i wouldnt freak out at your mileage, but do it pretty soon. If you have a pre 2000 model, id be freakin cuz they have been known to fail at 60,000 miles before.

 

If you intend to keep the car more than 160K mi. , let's say 180K mi. , do it in the middle at 90K mi. That way you only do it once. If you plan to keep it less than 160K mi. do it soon.

 

Greetings!

I'm not trying to worry you, but here's the situation I'm in now. Our company car (98 A4 Quatro) just blew the timing belt at 185,000 miles (not sure if it was ever replaced). I hauled the car home and replaced the belt only to find that I still had no compression in any cylinder. Removal of the valve cover revealed that several of the valves are bent and not closing. That left me with 2 options: Pull the heads and have them rebuilt for around $800, or buy a used motor for $2100. I got the car for $500 so I'm gonna replace the motor and get it going again.

At any rate, the belt kits seem pricey and the work is a little intimidating to non-mechanics, but compared to replacing the motor, it's cheap and easy.

Good luck.

Kevin K.