I was reading the below post about the 3.0 timing belt replacement and it got me thinking about having to get mine replaced soon. I have a 2004 a4 with 1.8T. At what point do you all recommend having this done and what are the going prices? I currently have 62,000miles on it. Should I have anything else, other than the water pump replaced at the same time and how much does that bump the cost up.

Thanks!

How do I have my car info show up on my posts so I do not need to type that every time?

 

Anyone?

 

i would probably get it serviced around 80k at the latest.

 

just replace the water pump and the tensioner all at the same time.

 

i did mine at 70K, replaced the water pump, the timing belt, the accessory belt (think thats what it was called) and both tensioners for the belts. i got the belt kit at ECS tuning.
It wasn't what i would call an easy job, but i think playing with my car is fun so i don't have a problem spending a whole weekend taking my A4 apart. Oh yeah saving $400-$900 in labor is pretty sweet too. The bumper, lights, radiator and a few of the pulleys from the front of the engine need to be pulled off, you will end up with the engine being totally exposed. whole job took me about 10 hours over two days, i also pulled the turbo to give it a once over which you won't have to do. Coolant and oil will need to be drained so make sure you have the right stuff to full it all back up.

I am thinking i might need to take mine back apart because the outer tensioner bounces a little and i can feel it in the car at idle so i think i might need to try re-centering one of the pulleys. Once i get over about 3K it smooths right out and stops bouncing (i can touch the tensioner and feel it's not bouncing once it gets over 3K). Will do that while i have the turbo out and am installing a new exhaust i think. should be all ready to play this spring.

 

If you are a fairly good DIYer, its not too bad, i just did mine, the 1.8T isnt bad at all... get the kit from PUREMS.com its cheaper than ECS... i have 78K and everything looked PERFECT on mine! even the plastic impeller was fine.. and i drive mine fairly hard too.. i would be confident running to 100k if you drive like a normal person

 

I have a 18T also.It is a 2003 model BUT only has 27000mls on clock.
Just wondered if i need to replace due to time.
A friend told me the belt will not really deteriate over time.
Some advice would be great.Sounds like a expensive job at the main dealer.

 

I am looking atthe manual from Bentley publishers(CD) and it says for a 2004 1.8L the timing belt should be replaced at 75K.

That is really weird because when I look up my car, (2003 A4 1.8L)it says 105K.

 

Yes but is the time period really that important.surely todays belts will not deteriate in a few years.

 

One would have to assume 12-15k a year for an average. You have to consider heat caused by the engine and climate the car is in. Even though those belts are reinforced they are still expanding and shrinking because they are rubber-ish.

If you mean a few as in 2-3 years, that would be ok, but 4-5? Why take a chance on a $30 part?