I'm due for a timing belt service on my '03 A4. My dealer just quoted me the timing belt and water pump - apparently that is the standard service for my model. My local independent shop quoted me the timing belt, pump, and some additional stuff - tensioner and rollers I think. The dealer is about $680 and the other shop quoted about $1000.

Is it really necessary to do the tensioner and rollers if? I would think the dealer sees more Audi's than anyone else and if they (or Audi) doesn't recommend it I should be OK. I did some searches here and it seems like most people are changing tensioners and rollers too, but for no reason. Just "I had it apart..." and like to put new parts in. I don't want to replace good parts if they don't need.

I have no mods to the car, and I plan to keep it another 50,000 miles tops (I'm at 101k right now BTW - first timing belt change).

Thanks for the info.

 

The tensioner is as important as anything else in the service. If it fails, your engine is going to need a several-thousand-dollar rebuild. Most likely the dealership's quote includes everything for the service, and not just the pump and belt. Have them put down in a written estimate exactly what they're going to change.

 

that still seems spendy...i bought a timing belt kit, water pump, and serpentine belt all in one package for about 199.99 off ebay with tensioners, and i had a local audi mechanic install it all for 325.00. i would just change all 3 of those things if you hadnt done so already.

 

I wouldn't recommend going the eBay route for the timing belt. The dealership price seems good, but as was said, I would get a list of everything that service includes, just to be sure.

 

I got my T/B kit off Ebay... http://stores.ebay.com/FCP-Groton

Some people on here might say its not a smart idea to buy the kits off Ebay, but like anything on Ebay, just make sure you purchasea kit from a reputable vendor. These guys are great and priced well- and the kit is all inclusive. Cheers, Bob

 

but as for labor, if the dealer will install YOUR parts (Jack Ingram Audi in Mongomery, AL used my VCG/cam tensioner seal kit as I had purchaed one a year ago), have them do it. They might not warranty it, but it wil be done right. However, if the warranty is something that will give you peace of mind, you're going to pay for it in the end.

 

Agreed, and some shops won't install customer-supplied parts (at least around here) so make sure they will before you buy. As for the eBay kit, that is a great price. I'll have to keep that in mind this spring, as I'll be doing my t-belt service (and a bunch of other maintenance and fun mods) all at once when the weather warms up.

 

You made it 101K miles without your timing belt failing??? Thats impressive.

Josh

 

thats cheap as hell for a dealer quote

 

Paintballguy, when i bought my a4 in september, it had 132XXX miles on it, first thing i did was take it in to get serviced and get the t-belt changed. the guy at the vw dealership (nearest audi dealer for me is like 400km away) told me that the tensioner was broken and the belt was about to fall off, but it was still 'working' at that high mileage, i don't think anyone had changed the t-belt before lol. i think i dodged a bullet.