Hey everybody! noob here... Anyway, i have a 98 a4 1.8t, and recently when i hit the gas, the car shakes a bit and feels like it has no power until the RPMs get up to about 4-4500. Was going to check the timing belt tomorrow, but wanted some feedback. Could the timing belt be the cause? have heard these cars have problems with timing..
Thanks in advance!

 

Timing belt wouldn't cause that. Any CEL? Take it to Auto Zone and have it scanned and post back up with the codes.

 

I'm going to check it anyways The CEL was on, went off after driving for a bit, alothough the problem didnt go away. I'll scan tomorrow. Thanks for quick reply btw!

 

Couldn't hurt to check it. Check for cracks, pitting, frayed belt, etc. When the CEL came on, was it solid or flashing? Hopefully getting the car scanned will shed some light on things.

 

It was solid. Also, my fuel gauge stopped working, stays on E always. Would that be the sending unit?

 

Yes, it's the sender. The fix is out there - the Search feature will find it. It'll either be corrosion on the resistive element or a broken wire.

 

Guess i'll update this. Been looking the car over between working/sleeping (havent gotten the codes scanned yet :/ but every light on the dash is on? airbag, brake, CEL, ABS, ect..)
Anyway, the car idles fine, when driving i can hear the exhaust leaking.. previous owner replaced the muffler with a flexpipe, and the pipe between the cat and flexpipe is broken... It's leaking from inlet/ outlet of flexpipe and the broken part.. could that cause the lack of power?

 

It's probably not good, but I can't imagine it causing the lack of power you're seeing. If every light on the dash is lit up that's gotta be a clue though.....really oughta get it scanned.

 

to be blunt, if the codes aren't scanned and posted here, there's nothing else anybody online can do or say to help you. just like how you can't go online for a doctor's appointment and expect a proper diagnosis and treatment strategy