So I was driving yesterday and noticed a weird sound coming from my engine, like a popping and small whine noise, but I didn't think much of it. I then noticed my temp gauge got to the normal 50% spot a lot faster than it normally does (it is pretty cold here), however my heater would only blow cold air. After driving through town for about 15 minutes, I got on the highway, and my engine temp immediately went to red, and flashed the "Coolant" warning. I pulled over, and my car had a bunch of steam coming out of the hood (pretty sure it was steam, not smoke), and the steam continued for the better part of an hour. There was also a pretty potent burning smell, reminded me of burned rubber, coming from the car.

I got about 110,000 miles on the car, and just got my oil changed last week too.

I was able to get my car down to a local repair shop, they seem pretty reputable (lots of good reviews on their website), but it isn't the best part of town. I just don't want to get ripped off, since I know almost nothing about cars. Anyone know what this problem could be? The shop is going to look at my car today, I will post some updates when I find out what they think.

Their website is proauto1.com btw, it doesn't look like a scam...

 

So they pretty much destroyed me. Looks like I have a water pump leaking, which I also need to replace my timing belt and drive belt if they do fix the water pump. I also have a cracked radiator, and both of my radiator hoses are leaking,. Then they need to flush my power train, and also replace my thermostat. Sounds like they are basically replacing my entire cooling system ugh.

Total cost of $3200. I skipped over the scheduled 95,000 mile maintenance I now realize, and now at 110,000 miles I guess it came back to bite me. Does this sound like a ripoff? Or am I just completely screwed for not doing any scheduled maintenance?

 

Just the timing belt parts (including all tensioners, water pump, t-stat, etc) and labor will cost $1200 at an indie shop. Throw in a new radiator and hoses, I guess it could be a grand more (everything major that goes on my A6 seems to cost a grand to fix). My A4 is an MT6, but I generally replace diffy fluids at 60k and that runs a couple hundred. Never had a tip tranny flushed. It seems a little high for everything but not horribly out of line.


Yes, it pays to keep up with basic maintenance on any vehicle. Maintenance is generally less costly than repairs.

 

Agreed with ppgoal- timing belt/water pump service is usually around $1,000, I had my radiator replaced at a local Audi dealer for around $900 when it sprung a leak, and I could see the other hoses, parts and fluids adding quite a bit more.

With these cars, the (major) scheduled maintenance items like the t-belt and water pump can not be ignored.