Audi A4 timing belt
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Audi A4 timing belt
I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
off?
in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
off?
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 timing belt
On 20 Aug 2003 11:56:04 -0700, huan@atelo.com (Audi A4 owner) wrote:
>I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
>in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
>pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
>replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
>says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
>off?
If you believe everything you read here, you have experienced a miracle.
Congratulations.
A bit more seriously: now that you've mentioned this in public, you are
officially Playing With The Forces Of Nature. Not good.
Replace the pump, idler, tensioner, and belts NOW, and feel good that you
cheated engine death to this point...
/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd
>I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
>in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
>pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
>replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
>says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
>off?
If you believe everything you read here, you have experienced a miracle.
Congratulations.
A bit more seriously: now that you've mentioned this in public, you are
officially Playing With The Forces Of Nature. Not good.
Replace the pump, idler, tensioner, and belts NOW, and feel good that you
cheated engine death to this point...
/daytripper
'00 s4 6spd
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 timing belt
"Audi A4 owner" <huan@atelo.com> skrev i melding
news:983664e2.0308201056.5484cc00@posting.google.c om...
> I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
> in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
> pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
> replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
> says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
> off?
No, he is probably right, you are most likely overdue. 90.000 miles sound
far too much to me anyway. I changed mine at 90.000 kilometres, and that
cannot be too far from your present 60.000 miles. So, a change now sounds
quite right to me. My best advice to you is therefore to change your timing
belt ASAP. Maybe you have understood or read it wrong: Maybe it is 90.000
kilometres, and not miles? That sounds a bit more right to me anyway. It is
quite easy to confuse and mix kilometres and miles. Anyway, good luck.
Replace your timing belt now, to avoid likely serious future damage. The
change is absolutely due now.
news:983664e2.0308201056.5484cc00@posting.google.c om...
> I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
> in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
> pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
> replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
> says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
> off?
No, he is probably right, you are most likely overdue. 90.000 miles sound
far too much to me anyway. I changed mine at 90.000 kilometres, and that
cannot be too far from your present 60.000 miles. So, a change now sounds
quite right to me. My best advice to you is therefore to change your timing
belt ASAP. Maybe you have understood or read it wrong: Maybe it is 90.000
kilometres, and not miles? That sounds a bit more right to me anyway. It is
quite easy to confuse and mix kilometres and miles. Anyway, good luck.
Replace your timing belt now, to avoid likely serious future damage. The
change is absolutely due now.
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 timing belt
On Wed, 20 Aug 2003 22:46:32 +0200, "Inger Skramstad Jørstad"
<ingjoers@online.no> wrote:
>"Audi A4 owner" <huan@atelo.com> skrev i melding
>news:983664e2.0308201056.5484cc00@posting.google. com...
>> I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
>> in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
>> pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
>> replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
>> says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
>> off?
>
>No, he is probably right, you are most likely overdue. 90.000 miles sound
>far too much to me anyway. I changed mine at 90.000 kilometres, and that
>cannot be too far from your present 60.000 miles. So, a change now sounds
>quite right to me. My best advice to you is therefore to change your timing
>belt ASAP. Maybe you have understood or read it wrong: Maybe it is 90.000
>kilometres, and not miles? That sounds a bit more right to me anyway. It is
>quite easy to confuse and mix kilometres and miles. Anyway, good luck.
>Replace your timing belt now, to avoid likely serious future damage. The
>change is absolutely due now.
He *is* at 83000 miles, and the service interval *is* 90000 miles...
<ingjoers@online.no> wrote:
>"Audi A4 owner" <huan@atelo.com> skrev i melding
>news:983664e2.0308201056.5484cc00@posting.google. com...
>> I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
>> in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
>> pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
>> replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
>> says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
>> off?
>
>No, he is probably right, you are most likely overdue. 90.000 miles sound
>far too much to me anyway. I changed mine at 90.000 kilometres, and that
>cannot be too far from your present 60.000 miles. So, a change now sounds
>quite right to me. My best advice to you is therefore to change your timing
>belt ASAP. Maybe you have understood or read it wrong: Maybe it is 90.000
>kilometres, and not miles? That sounds a bit more right to me anyway. It is
>quite easy to confuse and mix kilometres and miles. Anyway, good luck.
>Replace your timing belt now, to avoid likely serious future damage. The
>change is absolutely due now.
He *is* at 83000 miles, and the service interval *is* 90000 miles...
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 timing belt
"Inger Skramstad Jørstad" <ingjoers@online.no> wrote in message
news:s6R0b.15577$os2.221224@news2.e.nsc.no...
> Maybe you have understood or read it wrong: Maybe it is 90.000
> kilometres, and not miles?
No, he's right. Audi's recommended interval (at least in the US) for the
timing belt is 90K miles for that model year. What's even more scary is
that for 2001, Audi extended it even further to 120K miles (that's almost
200K kilometers) for the 1.8T engine, and 105K miles for the 2.8 engine.
And they did that knowing that these things tend to fail much much sooner.
Cheers,
Pete
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 timing belt
huan@atelo.com (Audi A4 owner) wrote in message news:<983664e2.0308201056.5484cc00@posting.google. com>...
> I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
> in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
> pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
> replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
> says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
> off?
It is true. The manual does indeed say 90k. In addition, (IIRC) the
lastest TSB from Audi says 75k. I understand that sometimes the
waterpump can freeze up and kill the belt, which then kills the motor.
The wisdom in this ng is change it at 60k. So, do the whole mess,
right away. Idlers, water pump, belt - and you're good for another
60k.
Keep that mechanic - he's a good one.
Spider
> I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
> in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
> pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
> replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
> says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
> off?
It is true. The manual does indeed say 90k. In addition, (IIRC) the
lastest TSB from Audi says 75k. I understand that sometimes the
waterpump can freeze up and kill the belt, which then kills the motor.
The wisdom in this ng is change it at 60k. So, do the whole mess,
right away. Idlers, water pump, belt - and you're good for another
60k.
Keep that mechanic - he's a good one.
Spider
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 timing belt
"Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:bi0ng5$jb5$1@news.onet.pl...
>
> "Inger Skramstad Jørstad" <ingjoers@online.no> wrote in message
> news:s6R0b.15577$os2.221224@news2.e.nsc.no...
> > Maybe you have understood or read it wrong: Maybe it is 90.000
> > kilometres, and not miles?
>
> No, he's right. Audi's recommended interval (at least in the US) for the
> timing belt is 90K miles for that model year. What's even more scary is
> that for 2001, Audi extended it even further to 120K miles (that's almost
> 200K kilometers) for the 1.8T engine, and 105K miles for the 2.8 engine.
> And they did that knowing that these things tend to fail much much sooner.
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Pete
Since Audi doesn't warrant past 50,000 miles, I guess they're free to extend
the change interval to whatever they want! I have a '98 as well with
62,000 miles and will be getting it done sometime in the next couple of
months. Changing water pump and other bits and pieces at the same time is a
good idea.
news:bi0ng5$jb5$1@news.onet.pl...
>
> "Inger Skramstad Jørstad" <ingjoers@online.no> wrote in message
> news:s6R0b.15577$os2.221224@news2.e.nsc.no...
> > Maybe you have understood or read it wrong: Maybe it is 90.000
> > kilometres, and not miles?
>
> No, he's right. Audi's recommended interval (at least in the US) for the
> timing belt is 90K miles for that model year. What's even more scary is
> that for 2001, Audi extended it even further to 120K miles (that's almost
> 200K kilometers) for the 1.8T engine, and 105K miles for the 2.8 engine.
> And they did that knowing that these things tend to fail much much sooner.
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Pete
Since Audi doesn't warrant past 50,000 miles, I guess they're free to extend
the change interval to whatever they want! I have a '98 as well with
62,000 miles and will be getting it done sometime in the next couple of
months. Changing water pump and other bits and pieces at the same time is a
good idea.
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 timing belt
> As far as water pump, I'm not sure, but since it's not that expensive, do
> you really want to pay the high labor cost again to have it replaced at a
> later date if/when it fails. Might as well get it all done at the same
> time.
There's been reported cases when a perfectly working water pump started
leaking immediately after TB replacement. Something to do with a slightly
different tension or whatever. The bottom line, WP should be replaced as
well.
General recomendation - buy parts on your own on the internet and have your
mechanic install them. That should save you about half of your parts cost.
> you really want to pay the high labor cost again to have it replaced at a
> later date if/when it fails. Might as well get it all done at the same
> time.
There's been reported cases when a perfectly working water pump started
leaking immediately after TB replacement. Something to do with a slightly
different tension or whatever. The bottom line, WP should be replaced as
well.
General recomendation - buy parts on your own on the internet and have your
mechanic install them. That should save you about half of your parts cost.
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 timing belt
I have the latest bulletin in front of me dated 5th June '01, 90,000 km's or
4 years whichever comes first!
My A4, '97 model only 47,000 km's, I'm going to have it and the water pump
done in the next few months.....
"Audi A4 owner" <huan@atelo.com> wrote in message
news:983664e2.0308201056.5484cc00@posting.google.c om...
> I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
> in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
> pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
> replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
> says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
> off?
4 years whichever comes first!
My A4, '97 model only 47,000 km's, I'm going to have it and the water pump
done in the next few months.....
"Audi A4 owner" <huan@atelo.com> wrote in message
news:983664e2.0308201056.5484cc00@posting.google.c om...
> I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
> in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
> pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
> replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
> says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
> off?
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Audi A4 timing belt
On Thu, 21 Aug 2003 09:54:22 +0800, "Bear" <who@where.net.au> wrote:
>
>"Audi A4 owner" <huan@atelo.com> wrote in message
>news:983664e2.0308201056.5484cc00@posting.google. com...
>> I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
>> in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
>> pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
>> replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
>> says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
>> off?
>
>I have the latest bulletin in front of me dated 5th June '01, 90,000 km's or
>4 years whichever comes first!
>My A4, '97 model only 47,000 km's, I'm going to have it and the water pump
>done in the next few months.....
Are you using "km's" to (improperly) mean "thousands of miles" - or
"kilometers"?
My A4/S4 specs say first belt change is at 144,000 km (90,000 miles),
applicable to the 1.8T, 2.8NA, and 2.7TT...
>
>"Audi A4 owner" <huan@atelo.com> wrote in message
>news:983664e2.0308201056.5484cc00@posting.google. com...
>> I own a 1998 A4 Quattro that has ~83,000 miles on it. I'm bringing it
>> in for service and the mechanic says that the timing belt and water
>> pump should be replaced. He says that the belt manufacturer suggests
>> replacing the belt at 60,000 miles even though the Audi owner's manual
>> says 90,000 miles. Is this true or is the mechanic trying to rip me
>> off?
>
>I have the latest bulletin in front of me dated 5th June '01, 90,000 km's or
>4 years whichever comes first!
>My A4, '97 model only 47,000 km's, I'm going to have it and the water pump
>done in the next few months.....
Are you using "km's" to (improperly) mean "thousands of miles" - or
"kilometers"?
My A4/S4 specs say first belt change is at 144,000 km (90,000 miles),
applicable to the 1.8T, 2.8NA, and 2.7TT...