hello all......
im thinking of buying a 98 a4 1.8t q.
the car has 160 k on the engine.
its in overall good condition for the year in and out.
it runs and sounds excellent.
the belt was done at 82k

with this millage of 160k its ready for its2nd timing belt right>?
i know audi said the belts lasted for 90 k......= a second belt should last for 180k and if this were
true i would have a good 15k miles before i would be crazy not to replace the belt....but,
iv read about the class action suit.....stating the belts last nowhere near that long.
so is it safe to say the $3500 car is now a 4500 car.....i dont like that math [:'(]

 

I would definitely replace it..my car is creeping dangerously close for a timing belt change as well. It shouldn't cost you more than $300 to do it yourself w/ the help of someone who's done it before, or $600 for a good independant shop to do it for you. Anyway, yes.. I'm suggest changing the timing belt.

 

Independent shops charge around $800 for the
timing belt job.

 

change the belt, or else our math will go from $3500 to $6500.

 

You meant to say shops in your area right? That sucks. I plan on changing mine myself with the $250 dollar kit, but theres a shop in MA that will change the timing belt on any 1.8t engine for $450. I also know a small time mechanic who'll probably beat that price once I tell him about it.

 

It takes 4 hours and you need
Timing belt
tensioner
damper pulley
water pump
antifreeze
ribbed belt
V-belt

 

iv been told by a local audi/vw repair shop that.....
if when the second timing was done... the mechanic changed the belt tensioner/pully to the
updated version.....the second belt should last around the 90 k as audi claimed.
he stated that when the belts failed prematurly......it wasdue to the belt wearing
unevenly or breaking because of the tensioners being faulty.....
not actuallybecause of the beltsbeing defective.
this local shop is also run by an ex audi/vw service manager and a few of his mechanics he took with him.

does anyone agree with this ?

 

belt was done at 80k.. car is at 160k.. 80+90=170k... I'd change as soon as possible. It'll be a much more expensive problem if it breaks.

 

i totally agree with the having to change the belt.

im asking a differnt question......as far as the pulley being the cause of the premature breakage
and agreeing or disagreeing witht he service station.

 

I agree, but you only have 12K mi. left.