A4 1.8t very very sick... Timing belt?
 

My 2004 A4 1.8tq has just over 140,000kms on it. No mods other than aftermarket rims\tires. I was driving to work on the highway doing about 120km\hr in 6th gear going up a slight hill. The car has been running like a champ since I bought it in April.

I felt it hesitate (almost like a bad miss) twice and the check engine light flashed. It then was missing very badly with no power so I pushed in the clutch, coasted the the side of the highway and turned off the ignition immediately. The engine was shaking quite badly by the time I pulled over. No smoke, no oil or other fluids leaking anywhere, no unusual exhaust smoke that I could see in my haste to get off the road. The car goes in and out of gear with no problem so it's not tranny that I can tell. I had the car towed back home until I can get it to the dealership. I live over 130kms away from the closest Audi dealership and I was stupid and didn't transfer the warranty over from the prior owner until this happened. Apparently they can put a rush on it once they get the transfer fee and request.

Anyway, long story short, based on that quick description any thoughts on what might be the problem? My quick guess is timing belt. I have the service history but haven't dug into it yet to find out if\when it was last replaced.

Also, any members who live on the island or Vancouver area have any advice on which dealership to take the car to? They may take it to Vancouver even though I live on the Island because their computer says that is closer to me. Go figure!?!?

Thanks for the help guys.

Re: A4 1.8t very very sick... Timing belt?
 

hope it's not the belt. you did not mention any noise!?
might be just a freaking coil, if you are lucky. do you have a vag-com or know someone near you?
fault codes would be good to know.

Re: A4 1.8t very very sick... Timing belt?
 

Could be the timing belt because you're getting very close to the recommended service milage of 160K's. However, I too hope it's a coil pack. If it's was the timing belt you're looking at a very very big repair bill.

Re: A4 1.8t very very sick... Timing belt?
 

There really isn't much in the way of nasty noises. No harsh "metallic" or "sharp" sounding noises. I'm a bit afraid to start it again in case it is the belt because I don't want to cause further damage.

Is there any way to test the coils?

I don't know anybody in the area with a Vag-com, so no codes. Sorry.

Are coils a warranty item or am I going to get screwed on this one?

Re: A4 1.8t very very sick... Timing belt?
 

I think you should play it safe and don't try to start the car. You may just want to call a flatbed tow truck and get it dropped off at a reputable audi mechanic (I hope you know one). If I'm not mistaken your warantee is up. I too have an 04 and my warantee is gone. I understand that coil packs are only around $50 (each) and you have 4 (one per cylinder), but if it's a coil pack it's most likely that only one has failed.

The more I think about it, the more I suspect the coil pack. You haven't even passed the recommended service mileage for the Timing Belt, so I'm fairly confident it's okay and that the coil pack is the problem. Engine vibration and check engine light are symptoms of a coil pack failure. Good luck!

Re: A4 1.8t very very sick... Timing belt?
 

I have the Certified Audi Preowned Warranty that is good until March of 2010 so if I can avoid paying for any repairs by using it that would be ideal.

I'm starting to think coil pack as well, I'll dig out the service history tonight at home and find out if the timing belt has been done or not.

There are a couple small things like a slow coolant leak from a housing at the back of the engine and the AC doesn't blow very cold so I'll get all that fixed as well.

Thanks for the help guys!

Re: A4 1.8t very very sick... Timing belt?
 

The warantee is great! Did you get it from an Audi dealer. If so, just take it back there and I'm sure they'll take good care of you.

Re: A4 1.8t very very sick... Timing belt?
 

The warranty is being transfered to me by Audi Canada as we speak.

Does anyone have a recomendation for WHICH dealership to take the car to in Vancouver?

I may be able to keep it on the island which would mean I take it to Speedway Motors in Victoria. Does anyone have any experiences with them?

Fingers crossed for a coil pack!

If I have to take it to Vancouver I'll get her in for a chip\injector\DV tuning as well since it will already be there! ;)

Re: A4 1.8t very very sick... Timing belt?
 

ya its more then likely a coil pack. If it was the belt, it would of been a sudden snap in the belt which would of made your engine sound like a diesel engine with a loud metal on metal sound.

Re: A4 1.8t very very sick... Timing belt?
 

Is it worth sending the car to the dealer under warranty or should I just suck up the cost on this one?

Also, will they replace all 4 packs or just the one?

I've read on this forum that there is probably a recall on them, and they seem to last longer when replaced all at once?

The car sure didn't sound like my wifes' TDI Jetta (or any other diesel) and there was no nasty metal on metal sounds. This is an interference type engine correct?