Hey guys. I have a 99 1.8T non quattro. I changed my timing belt at 104k and its recommended at 105k with the 1.8T interference engines. I wanted to bring something to your attention for the B5's. Make sure if you do the work yourself that the dealer does not give you the originally designed tensioner for your 96-99 A4. They were a defected design which Audi never sent a recall or notification for. Anyways, I was unaware of this and installed a new (but old design) tensioner when changing my timing belt & water pump. The car has 109k on it and the tensioner broke releasing the TB. Long story short, engine is gone....any advice on what to do with Audi for this? Or am I going to have to suck it up and get a used engine for like $2000? I bought my car new, and ever since I have had the worst experience with audi dealerships. I have a new 335i, and I think audi needs some pointers on customer service from bmw...sorry to say...

 

first off Audi and BMW don't make those parts and the problem was sorted on 1998 cars so if you were looking for cheap parts they probably came from Asia and not the originals ( you get what you pay for ) Gates is best, rebuild your engine it will only have bent valves and easily replaced and BMW cant teach Audi anything they don't already know

 

Thanks for the advice. Actually I always buy my parts through the dealer, and never through a wholesaler. Rebuilding the engine seems like it will cost more, since the parts alone run about 2200. Again, nothing against Audi. Have owned 11 Audi's over the past 15 years. Its just that the service just plain old sucks. At least here in the MD/VA/DC area....

 

how do you know the price of the parts if the cylinder head isn't stripped down?? and a DIY is the difference on cost

 

Thanks for the help. Well I did a compression test on the engine, and all 4 cylinders had no compression. The price I got was for a complete head from the local Audi dealer, which is consistant with figures I got from my ShopKey. Sorry...DIY? Lost me there....

 

DIY = do it your self and why buy a complete head when all you need is a couple of valves/ head gasket set/ new timing belt

 

I am going to look into that this afternoon. Thanks. Hopefully it all works out. I see from your username that you own an Avant? I just recently got a 2000 2.8 Avant 5-speed. I absolutely love it. Really fun car, and plenty of space for whatever. Maybe you can help me with this other issue. I also have a 2001 A6 2.7T, which I have noticed that after driving when I turn it off I smell something burning from the front. I havent been able to pinpoint whats wrong for about a month now. Know anything about this issue with the bi-turbo engine?

 

most common cause for burning smell is oil and it leaks from the rocker covers, in most cases they need nipping up to 8lb/ft which is hand tight, my avant got burned out a while back when I was rebuilding the engine

 

Audi has a parts warranty, 1 year. Has it been a year?

 

Audi has a parts warranty if its been fitted by a qualified mechanic so if Joe blogs round the corner fitted it then its worthless as I said you get what you pay for, if I did it then it would be replaced free depending on what you want ( price ) if you want total guarantee it should be taken to an authorized dealer/garage but chances are they will use the same parts to make a killing on the overall cost