I have a 1997 1.8T that I crashed over winter break. I was going real slow in snow and slid into a pole at like 5 mph but the timing belt slipped 13 teeth and I'm assuming valves are bent. I took it to a shop that specializes in Audis and their estimate for replacing the valves and the belt was $3500. I have some money in the car, and would like to keep it (brand new turbo), but it's not worth $3500 at all, and I don't have that kind of money right now.

I have friends that can do the timing belt job but that doesn't fix the problem. Are there any less expensive options for me? I've read that buying a used engine head could save me money, but I have no idea on cost for that. I guess I'd just like to know if there are any other options besides the expensive valve job, or if I should start driving my grandmother's little Saturn.

 

if you take the head to get rebuilt, assuming the pistons are good, it should be under $1200 including parts and labor to have it rebuilt at a machine shop, depending on how many have to be replaced. you could also probably buy a used or re manufactured head for the same price or less. look around for people parting out cars on these forums, or call some junk yards.

 

C'mon. 5 MPH doesn't do enough front end damage to kill a t.b.

But nonetheless, it's an expensive job. The cheapest you can get away with doing it is obviously DIY. You can check if the valves are bent by installing a belt and performing a leakdown test. If it passes, the valves are seated and are likely fine. Throw on a new tensioner and belt and send it down the road.

If it fails a leakdown test, remove the head and you have the option of simply replacing the bent valves or getting a junkyard replacement head.

 

Thanks for the reply's. I'm having the belt replaced and will probably end up getting a salvaged head; I've seen a few for only $600.

 

Just make sure it's not a head off a salved engine that threw a t.b.!

 

What are the chances of the car not having bent valves after the belt slipped?

 

13 teeth? almost none. you can probably look down the spark plug hole and see if the pistons have marks on them, if they do 99.5% chance you bent valves.

 

It's a total crap shoot. Put on a belt and do a leakdown test.

 

Thanks guys.