I have what is probably a dumb question(s)...........
Have a '96 A6 Quattro and the water pump went out. As you'd expect, when that went, it took the timing belt with it.
Here's the questions: Is my engine toast for sure?? Should I put a new pump and belt in and see what happens?

Don't want to waste my time throwing parts at an engine that has significant internal damage. But on the other hand, don't want to give away a great car if it can easily be fixed. Any advice woulr be appreciated.

 

There is no way to know for sure until you rip the engine apart. I inherited a Toyota truck many years ago that my brother in law broke the t-belt on. There should have been engine damage, but there wasn't (at least not enought to notice). I put a new belt on it and drove it for years before giving it to my dad.

Maybe you will get lucky like I did with the Toyota. More than likely the engine is toast, are you able the do most of the work yourself? That would save a lot of money.

Sorry for your loss.

 

What mileage did it go at?

 

Find a shop with a Borescope. They can go into the engine with out tearing it down & look for damage.

When did the belt break? Meaning, were you driving, or just @ idle? If you were driving, then YES, you have damage.

 

I am in complete agreement with 2KS4!

OOOO

[IMG]local://upfiles/13659/657BCCDAE66F4EC684E31BC9908E3EA8.jpg[/IMG]

 

I would love one of those endoscopes but because of the price its out of my range ( fit a new timing belt and do a compression test ) if the valves are bad the test will show but fit a new belt first because that's what the Audi dealers do first

 

Mileage is 220K right now. Both water pump and t-belt were replaced recently, but apprarently the new pump had some defect, 'cause it sure didn't last long