Here is the issue I am fighting and luckily its is not my car but if it was I would replace belt. 2003 a6 3.0 guy had Timing belt and components replaced at a local shop 26k ago. Now the water pump is leaking the shop has since closed so he ask if I could do the work but when I suggested he replace the timing belt he about had a fit so I just said no to the job. maybe im wrong but really do not want him back if it breaks. my question would you guys reuse a belt with 26k on it or not. was I wrong?

 

Personally I'd do the belt too. Let's face it the belt has to come off for this job anyway (at least on my 4.2). 26k and who knows how many years is maybe 1/2 or 1/3 of the belts total life. The belt is not that expensive, all the parts together for a full timing belt job is what makes it a little bit pricier.
Anyhow I had the same issue .. did a timing belt job around 85k and around 120k the Water pump started leaking. I bought the entire timing belt kit again (with tensioner, thermostat, etc.) and did the whole thing again. I paid a little extra attention to the seal for the water pump so that I do not have to change it out prematurely again (still hoping at 145k now).

 

My daughter has a 2003 A4 3.0 and the TB job was 10 hours labor (the expensive part) and about $525 parts, of which the water pump was $90. He's got 26k on it and it has to be done in another 50k anyway. If it was mine, I would do the belt, tensioners, and water pump. That might be a couple hundred in parts but it insures against a moving part failing and grenading his engine, plus it shoves the next TB job out by 70-80k miles. Bottom line, it is a good $100-200 insurance policy to protect the engine.


If the guy is that cheap, do you really want him for a customer? Or a friend??

 

All the above is right but IF you have informed the customer as to your recomendations and let him make the decision you are on morally safe ground. You could replace the belt alone without all the pulleys and tensioner but again I would let him make that call. IF he is willing to pay you to replace the water pump alone and nothing else I would do it but with the condition that he sign a waiver leaving you blameless if he has future problems.