Hey Guys...

I have a 1999 A4 Audi Quattro Turbo with a 159,000 miles on it. I had the timing belt changed at 78,000 mile just after I bought it. What is the longest I can go without changing the timing belt? 80,000...100,000 mile? If the timing belt fails...is my car engine shot or does this Audi have an "None Interference Engine" in it where all I have to have done is change the timing belt or will I have to replace the engine?

 

75 to 80k is the most you'd want to push it. If it fails you'll need the head rebuilt and new valves, it's a lot cheaper to just change the belt.

 

70-80k is the longest i would go, any more and you are tempting fate. when the belt breaks you do many thousands of $$ worth of damage which is why you need to change it before that. these engines are interference engines, valves impact pistons when out of time. you should replace the timing belt, roller/tensioner, and water pump while you are in there.

use the search function next time, and read the stickies at the top of the forum. this info is right in front of you and has been discussed many times before.

 

Actually Audi issued a notice way back stating 100k miles before timing belt change. I changed mine at 90K just to be on the safe side. It all really depends on your situation, f you live in a nice car friendly place like Cali then 100k is not a problem. For others who live with rock salt for months out of the year, it's a different story.

The original maintance plan was for 75k the notice was for 100k, somewhere in between you're ok.

 

100k? Tell that those whos TB snapped before 80k. I'd still say 90k is pushing it. Again the service is expensive but head rebuild and new valves is 4x more expensive. Its your call Hobo. If your car was mine I'd be on that ASAP.

 

the majority of belts snap between 80-100k, sometimes people get lucky and go more, sometimes people are unlucky and dont even get 60k miles out of the belt. i wouldnt gamble and try pushing 100k with mine, if you loose, you loose a lot of money.