quattro3.0L2003

Good afternoon,

I just wanted to thank you in advance for anyone at all that has any advice before my dealer service appointment tomorrow.

I just purchased my 2003 A4 3.0L at the end of October. After bringing it in for an oil change and to put winter tires on the highly knowledgable technician advised that 1) My exhaust is only being held up by my CAT's flex pipe which is cracked as the hanger is broken 2) There are 2 small oil leaks 3) There may be an issue with a camshaft adjuster and 4) that the timing belt is approx a $2400 job.

I have pursued the dealer who sold me the car but to no avail of course. The only positive is that the camshaft adjuster job has to be done at the same time as the timing belt and I am getting a new timing belt tomorrow.

I am just looking for advice as to approximate costs and what my priorities should be. My exhaust, timing belt and cam adjuster are my priorities at this point as I have about 127,000 KILOMETRES (not miles) on my vehicle and it is about that time for the timing belt.

Do you think the dealer who sold me the car can be liable somehow? I believe I'm out of luck but I'm wondering if I should get this job (timing belt, camshaft adjuster) done somewhere else as the they advised they would try and workout a reasonable quote for me as the timing belt and camshaft adjuster are hefty jobs. I would rather pay more and have it done properly as the technician who worked on it before knew exactly what he was doing as I do not have a rough idle anymore and is generally running better since he worked on it. Any ideas on approximate cost for the cam adjuster and timing belt to be done? My appointment is tomorrow so anyone who care give me insight on this would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much,


David from Toronto.

audimontreal

The only advice I can give you is that once your warranty is over and for all maintenance of your car, just find yourself a trustworthy independent Audi shop that you trust and save some serious money compared to any dealership.
Mind you, your issues are regular maintenance things you should do to keep her running good for years to come..
A 3.0 time belt/water pump/tensioners...etc job is more expensive but your quote is normal for a dealer. My 05 a4 has currently 27,000km only and I will do this job next summer. Dealer quoted me over 2000 when my Audi shop will do it for under 1100!

quattro3.0L2003

Thanks for the prompt response! I have pushed back my service appointment until tomorrow. I am going to get them to just check the codes and replace a bulb.

I am very concerned about the camshaft adjuster because I have a feeling its going to cost over $4000 with the timing belt and new camshaft adjuster or possibly even more which I cannot afford. I am going to go on a hunt for an Audi shop here in the GTA.

I wish these issues were just regular maintenance issues but a new camshaft adjuster is not a regular issue.

Thanks again, I will prob end up going elsewhere for my timing belt. I just know that it's a rather complicated job with the B6's 3.0L's and I want someone who won't mess it up.

tml

I think most indy shops can do the 3.0 timing belt for 1500..

I really need to do mine as I have 126km on it now...

anyone here delt with caledon motors?

quattro3.0L2003

Good to know. I was just referred to an import shop actually. I'm at 128km now and I'm pushing it back prob until 135km. I really hope that's ok.

As for the camshaft adjuster, my engine light has not come back on since the dealer cleared it. He told me to log how many KM and how many times I started it before the engine light came back on and it hasn't yet so hoping it doesn't come back on and the cam adjuster is fine. As they quoted me a WHOPPING $6000 for timing belt and cam adjuster change. Technician is a good dude but consultant was a douche. Anyhow, really hoping cam adjuster is fine obviously and that I just have todo the timing belt.

I had to delete my resognator as my flex pipe broke on my exhaust and they just ran solid pipe out to my back exhaust. Doesn't have the same Audi stock ring to it anymore pretty sad

ESPECIALLY since I bought the car from a dealer just over 2 months ago at the end of October. Ugh, those douchebags!!!!

As for Caledon Motors I have not, however make sure they make use of a special tool to adjust timing of cam when they do timing belt and make sure the indy sshop specifically works on imports such as Audi, Porsche etc.

Will keep you guys posted on timing belt progress, thanks for your input.

quattro3.0L2003

Well tomorrow is the day, my 2003 Audi 3.0L A4 gets a new timing belt tomorrow. The import shop in my town quoted me about 800-900 for just the belt and north of $1500 if it needs everything such as water pump and tensioners.

I was on audizine forums and key points i am going to bring to their attention is using the cam/crank tools to remove the belt, disconnecting the battery long enough so that the computer can reset fully and using a torque wrench accurate.

Yesterday, it was very rainy and snowy here and we got tons of snow. On the way home last night from work, my car was almost snapping at me while chilling in a specific gear. It would quickly lose RPM and then boom would be fine again, it wouldn't go to 0 RPM but it was like a millisecond jump or snapping. Jolting, if you will.

I drove it to work this morning and no issues, my cousin knows a little about cars and said it could have just been wet on the inside. I just hope this isn't a sign of my timing belt breaking. As it is getting a new one tomorrow.

Any ideas anyone?? Anything else I should be worrying about as far as timing belts are concerned?

I hope this isn't a cam adjuster symptom either.

quattro3.0L2003

So turns out they took my engine apart and everything is new. Timing belt must have been done before i purchased the car despite the seller telling me it had to be done, it was from an audi clearance dealer so he may not have known.

Still cost me $350.00 to find that out!!! Blast

tml

how come 350??
how many hours did they charge u for???

quattro3.0L2003

They charged me for 3 hours plus tax, plus I got a brake bulb replace.

She is running nice at the moment, no more jerking at 2800 RPM which is nice.

Running very nice.