rraj2k9

Hey Guys,

So finally bought a 99 A4 1.8T Q. I had to buy a used one because I want to get used to owning Audi's and plus had a tight budget.

Anyways, I bought this Audi through a used car dealer. The car has 124000 KMs, and after taking it for test drives a few times I decided to buy it, under one condition, that the dealer would fix any issues I would find with the car, he would fix it. So on the day of purchase, we signed a day and he gave me 10 days to fulfill the agreement.

I took the car to an Audi dealer to do a full diagnostics to check all the issues I would have with the car, and amongst a few minor issues, the following major issues were brought to attention,

1. The Timing belt was not changed,even though the dealer mentioned that it may have been changed.

2. Extensive oil leak frm Camshaft, Adjusters and Valve Cover. I noticed this when I started to get hint of exhaust fumes in the cabin.

3. The rear left coil springs are broken.

Now my problem is, should I rely on the dealer to fix them, or should I actually get it done by a proper Audi mechanic.

If I bite the bullet to take this cost upon myself, how much am I looking at to fix these issues, Audi quoted $ 2700 to have this fixed.

I would appreciate any insights and advise you guys can give me.

Richyfella

Hi funny i just changed my timing belt and believe it or not there is a little gasket under the camchain tenshioner held down by some Torx bolts at the back of the head thats leaking down to the turbo, it needs a spcialist tool not expensive but a must, if you had an agreement to fix problems within 10 days of puchase on paper the dealer should honour it,cant believe you were sold a car like that broken Suspension spring ? has it got a manual or CVT transmission ?! dont cars have to get a yearly Road worthiness Lic like we do in the UK thats would pick up stuff like that, if you got tools and not afraid i can talk you through it, i must warn you though it aint for the faint hearted,

Richyfella

Audi's are not just cars,they are tools,its my 5th one if i was not a mechanic and love a challenge i would leave them alone long time ago, but i keek coming back when i see a new design i smitten all over again
lately i am not happy,so many new stuff being, tested out in their new ranges and when they go wrong you can only take it back to main Dealer and they are too damn expensive, chips that are not reprogramable its like onnce you bought the car, Audi just dont want to know any more.sad really,

rraj2k9

So, I spoke with the dealer whom I bought the car from, and he is saying since the Timing Belt and the oil Leak are maintenance issues, he does not have to fix it. Buy he will fix the Coil Springs.

I did say that this should have been done as part of the cars regular maintenance by you before selling it to me, and that you mentioned that it was. He asked me to drop by on Saturday to discuss this further.

So, I guess my question is should I rely on this guy to actually fix it, or should I just get it done my self.

heraty_a4

I would tell him to FIX IT ASAP especially when he said it was done already prior to you purchasing the car... be aggressive. Those damn sales people (I assume it's not an Audi dealership) at the independent shops.. never know if they are ripping you off.

If it's an Audi dealership, I would complain for sure.

rraj2k9

I could fight this out, and I am sure I will get some where, but frankly I don't have the time to do it. Working full time and studying does not give me the time for this.

Plus Audi said that the timing belt has cracks on it, and needs to be replaced ASAP, so I cannot wait for this dealer to come to a concession. Even if he does agree to do it, I am not sure how much of a proper job he is going to do.

I guess I will consider this as a lesson learnt, and move on, and take it to a proper mechanic and get these issues fixed.

Considering I can get all those issues fixed for under a 1000 bucks, I will have to live with it.

Richyfella

where are you Man! Broken suspension spring ,No!he sold you an unsafe car, suppose you had an accident and hurt yourself or someone, if you just bought it, tell him you lost confidence, and press for refund or change the car, straight case he should supply and normally you change the two on the same axle i mean both rears as in your case,am in the uk springs are not expensive so its either you get him to fit 2 new ones and pay at least half or get it done youself and send him half the cost but either way discuss it first,the rest with the timing belt and gasket is wear and tear but i personally would not give him the job to repair after all, he is the one that sold you the car,i know dishonesty rule this world,have you tried to get your money back its a fair option dont you think?

Richyfella

timing belt change is a complete front kit with water pump,belt and tenshioner plus all the idler pulleys that the belt runs on,definitely not a single item,remember its the correct time to change the gasket under the chain tenshioner, I must hasten to add this,before it gets too confusing with belt and chain ,the 1.8T have 2 camshafts, but 1 belt at the front of the engine that drives one Cam,the other Cam is driven by a chain linked at the rear of the belt driven Cam, The leaking gasket is under this chain tenshioner ( Audi'uses this tenshioner to control variable valve timing by altering oil pressure to extend plungers to affecting leading or lagging of chain tension ) located between both cams located at the Rear of the head, so an expert this engine is what you really need,any mistake here is a wrecked head,

rraj2k9

Hey Richyfella,

Thanks for insight man, I decided to have the work done by an Audi Mechanic over the weekend.

I would have liked to give the Timing belt a shot on my own, but I don't have the time to work on this right now, plus I don't have a garage big enough to do this work and its Toronto so its cold to do the work outside.

Richyfella

You are welcome i have been there before so i do know what that feels like, wish you success and many miles of trouble free drive with your Audi when its done,when they are going they are great , you never said if the car had a manual or CVT Transmission, if its the Cvt then its time to change the Tranny oil,again a specialist job with a special oil, but it can save a wedge if you follw the maintainance intervals checks and repairs before they fail,take care Richard