Im a noob to Audi, just picked up an '04 A4 1.8T, love the car, anyhow question 1, it has 95K and im unsure if previous owner did the timing belt, is there any way to check (obviously trying to contact them to see), i dont want to replace if already done

2. the trunk release inside the door pocket is not working, any tips on where to start to fix?

thanks for any replies, and i will post pics when i get some.
Im not new to cars, so i have some mechanical abilities, just with domestic cars, this is my first Audi, and if things go well, wont be my last.

 

front of the engine there are two clips on sides of the valve cover that will allow you to open the timing belt cover and view the condition of the timing belt. If you see cracks, it likely has not been done. Manual tranny will have much more wear on the timing belt. I changed mine (manual tranny) for first time at 92k and it was starting to show significant cracking. Friend has same motor but an automatic tranny and at 97k there was no signs of cracking.

 

thanks MKE

 

Most shops will mark when the timing belt has been done somewhere in the engine bay. Mine is written on a sticker neer the battery cover. If it hasn't been done, and you plan on paying for it anyway, I would just get it done for the piece of mind.

 

thanks, im going to check it out this weekend, and BTW the trunk was in "valet" mode, my interior release switch now works