Hey I was just reading a forum about timing belts.I just bought a 98' A4 Quattro, not sure if the timing belt has been replaced, it has kind of high miles at 125k would you say that it has been replaced at that mileage

 

I dont know of anyone who TB has gone that long, i would say its been done at least once. get the service records for the car like carfax or something and see if what was done. or if you have about a grand extra get it done with everything and have peice of mind for about 70k

 

yeah, i was reading that if it goes, its gonna hurt the wallet even more, so I guess I should go ahead and do it. I know how to change timing belts in older "american" cars, is it much different.I was reading thatthere is a tutorial or something on this site, is that true?

 

I as many others could help you take your car apart and rebuild it ( is there a such thing as a tutorial ) but a good idea

 

It would def. be appreciated. I feel a bit in the dark with these cars being when I opened the hood, the motor was basically hidden to me. I am use to old 350's and stuff like that. I would like to do it myself though. I just could pass up the price of the car. It was a older lady who, against her husbands wishes put it in the paper $3500 under private party value. Her husband was kinda pissed when I bought it!

 

yeah - check out Audidiy.com for a ton of write-ups, including a step by step how to on the timing belt. Order a "ultimate" timing belt kit from ECS tuning - it has everything that you will need to redu the TB. including the water pump and everything else. If your even somewhat mechanically inclined its worth the Saturday it will take you compared to $800-1k at a shop. like everyone says - the hardest part is getting the damn bumper off.

 

is there a way to tell if your timing belt is old? maybe by looking at it? dry rotting or tension marks or anything?

 

Just cause u have 125k miles on your doesn't mean they changed it like they should have. When I bought my car with 93k on it the car still had all original belts. The best way to check it is to pop the upper cover off and check for wear marks and cracks and excessive play in the belt. I am also new to Audis. I am like u and did only american muscule. I did my timing belt and waterpump and all belts myself. It took me roughly 3 hours from start to finish. Its not hard at all. For people saying the bumper is hard to get off u must not being doing it right. Taking the bumper off took me like 5-10 mins tops. Anyways good luck.

 

I just did mine yesterday. I bought a 97 A4 q 2.8l 12v a month ago with 130,000 mi. Records only went up to 65,000 and no sign of TB change. The car was in mint condition so I figured it must have been done. My mechanic looked at the belt and thought it looked a little dry and suggested changing it. I'm glad I did because the water pump had a lot of wear on it, the thermostat looked shot and the belt was definitely glazed and worn. I replaced TB, timing belt roller, tensioner roller,serpentine belt, thermostat, water pump, crank seal and snub mount. The serpentine belt tensioner also needed replacing but I didn't have one on hand. My guy took the radiator off too. Made thing a lot easier but you'll need coolant if you do that. Better get it done if you don't know for sure.

 

how much did you pay for all that red barron, im curious, im looking to get mine done and im looking at 1300 for TB roller cam seals water pump serpentine and thermo plus i think something else