It's a 03 1.8t quattro 5 speed and the car is in immaculate condition inside and out with 90 k miles. The only concern from my friend was that the serpentine belt was had a little wiggle to it. This non audi dealer took it back to the AUDI dealership who insisted it was within tolerance. After doing research from this forum i found out that the whole timing belt system should be replaced at around 80 k miles to prevent catastrophic damage to the engine. It doesn't seem to have a major WARNING for the serpentine belt system. Would now be the time to just replace it with the RAI Kevlar system do a complete upgrade for around 400 + Labor? How would i know if the timing belt system was previously replaced? Thanks for the help. Definitely looking forward to enjoying this car and getting APR Stage 2+ put in sometime in the near future.

 

High and welcome to the site,I'm a newb my self.I would say look closely at the timing belt It's self by removing the cover,and see the condition of the belt for wear,cracks.But with 90.000 miles,It's time for a new belt,I wouldn't take a risk.

 

At 90k it's time for a full timing job. You can check the belt but it's usually fine - the tensioners are what fail. I've done a ton of timing jobs and have seen exactly one belt that was bad. However, a regular tinny belt kit is fine - there's no need for a higher-priced Kevlar belt.

 

All belts "walk" thats why they have high ridges on the pulleys..... aslong as the pulleys are moving or "wiggling" your ok.

If they belt is not brand new or extremely cracked and fraying its impossible to tell how many miles are on it and how long it will last.

 

they just informed me that the timing system was just replaced within 15,000 miles... and assured me that the serpentine belt was within tolerance. If the serpentine belt completely fails am i looking at any crazy problems like with the timing belt?

 

If they can't prove the timing system was done with documentation of some sort, assume it hasn't and negotiate accordingly. If yhe timing system fails, your engine WILL be destroyed. They profit from you buying the car so it's in their interests to tell you whatever they need to in order to make the sale. It's a used car so unless there is some expressed warranty that you get with the car, you're on your own if the serpentine belt system fails. Have the car looked at by an independent mechanic, don't take their word for anything. If they won't let you, find another car.

 

thanks for all the help... yeah i'm trying to get the documentation for the timing system because all the labor for the car was done at a local audi dealership. but they wont release the information to me because i'm not the owner yet. I will be sure to get that before the sale. They already took 1200 off the price because i'm in the marines. Doubt i could get much more off from them.