is there some sort of recall or something on the timing belt? everyone says to change them, and i was wondering why this is so neccessary for this particular car? how do you know if it needs to be changed..?

 

there was a recall on early cars approx 1998 for the tensioner but if your is newer then you can ask the dealer if it has been done (it will be logged) so get down there and ask, if the miles is 100k I would change the belt especially if you don't have service history saying its been done

 

AFAIK there isn't a recall, but there is a TSB and inspection.

All timing belts fail sometime. The Audi engine, and most engines except toyota and perhaps Honda are interference engines. That means, if the timing belt goes, your valves will hit the pistons causing major damage to the engine and your wallet.

The manual in my car suggests you can wait to 105K miles to change, However, the forums are full of people whose belts or tensioner have gone much sooner.

 

there was a recall on the tensioner

 

oh. well i have no idea really how it works but for the audis is the timing belt different from other cars or something? is that something you should change on all cars? is it like the factory one that was put on is faulty and after you put on a new one it will be fixed for good?

 

All cars that have timing belts need them replaced at the recommended mileage.

When you replace it, you will need to replace it again in another 60-80 thousand miles.