i have a 2003 a6 2.7t with 85,000 miles. also when its idling it doesnt sound smooth at all. Is this a hint that the timing belt is going? are there any other clues that will tell me that i need to change my timing belt?

 

if you have any sort of rattling noise inside its plastic cover (for me is mostly on cold starts; after warming up good it very much disappears) - ... that may be a clue as well.

 

Timing belt has nothing to do with idle condition, but it is time for a timing belt job anyway with that kind of mileage.

 

hxgaser +1

 

+1 on time for a t-belt job.

While your at it, change your plugs and clean your MAF sensor, this could solve your rough idle problem.

 

Disagree. A streched TB will cause slightly, very slightly, poorer idle and running. Replacing it will smooth the idle and sharpen the throttle response.

Bob

 

Time for a discussion... In my opinion, a minor slack cause by the TB stretching will be addressed by the tensioner. I don't know that it will affect the idle and throttle response. Because of the tensioner, the cams and the crank never goes out of sync.

 

hxgaser +1 again