So it last had it done at 115k now I'm at 178k so 63k miles. Is the 2.8 as notorious for snapping as the 1.8l? And also this is unrelated but my ac doesnt work the fuse isn't blown the pump DOES engage and it DOES have a full charge with no leaks. So where should I go from there? Thanks a lot! It's a 1998 by the way.

 

You're due now. 60-65k is the interval to follow. The belts rarely snap on A4s. If there's a failure it's most often the hydraulic tensioner. Get a complete kit and change all the relevant parts.

 

i wouldnt set an appointment just yet, but you can never really be too safe. its up to you but obviously changing it sooner than later is better. if it were me id probably change it out now though

 

For my 2001 1.8TQ, the book says 120k miles for a timing belt change...

 

Your book was written long before there was practical street knowledge gained by tensioners failing long before that interval hit. Your car and your choice but smart money says the much shorter interval. Too many hydraulic tensioners have failed even before 65k miles to make it a risk worth taking.

 

The book also specifies 10k mile oil change intervals with dinosaur oil and the small filter. Which has since been revised by Audi to 3-5k miles with a larger filter.

 

Yeah, but based on my doing a lot of oil analysis, it appears that 10k is probably right on the money and even more with synthetic. I posted 6 sets of oil analysis from 280k miles going down to 120k miles that validates the oil service intervals.

 

I agree with you there, the point of my post was that the info in the owner's manual is out-dated

 

With any rubber timing belt it should be changed every 60k. Sure it could last longer but that is a pretty expensive chance just to push its luck on something will have to be changed no matter what.


7,500 to 10k is about right for a good synthetic, but 1 problem is Audi was talking about standard dino oil which should never be ran to 10k miles.