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?

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

Did the check engine light flash and then stayed on? or was it flashing? that is the key. Do not start the car at all.

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

From what I remember it was flashing. It happened quite quickly in heavy traffic and all I knew was that something was very wrong with the car at that point.

If it is flashing then coil pack is faulty?

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

My dealer said they can only replace after they fail. I had to make 2 separate trips to get coil packs replaced under CPO on my B6 A4 3.0.

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

i'm pretty sure it's your coil pack. if not then get them to check the ignition control module. They both act the same way when they fail.

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

Did you ever change the timing belt? If not take it to the dealer and get both done, because you are shaking right now on which one it is, but to own an audi it is not a car to wait till it breaks down if you treat it right it will save you money.

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

Probably not a bad idea! Should the timing belt be done every 100k or so? And should I get the water pump done at the same time as a precaution while they are in there?

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

ya its an interference engine so you would know if it was the belt. Your KM are getting up there so i would recomend doing it sooner then later but thats another story.

As for the coil packs, no there are no recalls for them. If you go there, they will just test them and replace just the one. Most guys on here carry 1 or 2 in their trunk. If you want to spend the $40 and get a coil pack and test it your self or bring it to the dealer and probably pay more is your call. If you need ay help, feel free to ask.

Also, when the belt is done, the kit comes with the water pump.

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

Thanks for all your help guys, it's great to have such a useful forum here. I will update you on the car once I get it to the shop. Even though it is the coil pack I cave CPO warranty and there is no harm in having them fix it instead of me. Plus the A/C issue and the small coolant leak should be fixes as well. Better do it all at once!

Thanks again!

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

If you have coolant leak, and it's from the water pump, then timing belt service is guaranteed. Coolant from the pump will leak onto the timing belt and weaken it - that's what happened to me. So, it didn't matter that my timing belt was solid and good when it started to get soaked up by coolant - replacing the pump will cost only $100 less than doing the whole job (TB and water pump + serpentine belt).

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

i had this problem it was my coil pack

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

I had a similar problem with my 98 A4 with 237 k on it....still purrs. It was a bad coil and then after replacement.....ignition coil. Good luck and keep it purring

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

OK, just god the car back from Speedway Motors...

2 bad coil packs were the cause of the problem. I also had them do a once over on the car and they fixed a rear upper suspension mount and boot. They also checked the A/C system for leaks and filled up the refrigerant which was VERY low. There was an engine coolant leak coming from the coolant temp sensor which was repaired as well.

They quoted me $1,250 to replace the timing belt and water pump!!! Their shop rate is $130/hr!!! Are you kidding me? I'm taking the car to my local guy tomorrow to have the belt\pump done for $720 taxes in. Not great but still not as bad.

The service from the manager at Speedway was pretty good, however I was a little disappointed with the fact they didn't even vacuum the car or wash it. For $130/hr you'd expect a little better no? I had to pay for the A/C work as it wasn't covered under the CPO.

Long story short I'm just glad I have my car back in healthy condition and with nothing major broken. Stay away from Speedway Motors in Vic unless it is strictly warranty related.

Thanks for everyone's help! Cheers guys!