I just purchased a 2004 4.2 litre with widebody. Love the looks. Not sure about maintenance though. It has 102km and had service done at 82k. Does it need a timing belt replacement anytime soon. If so, what else would it need while I'm opening it up? I'm thinking brakes, plugs, etc.

Thanks

 

Congrats on the purchase!

Did you get any of the maintenance history on it? Hopefully in there it will tell you what's been done.

You can find maintenance schedules for the 2004's here:

http://www.bentleypublishers.com/ima...ance.sched.pdf

Have fun!

 

If the car is running fine leave it alone! Make sure you have a complete maintanence history. T/B will have to be done soon though. Overall the car is a high maintanence sort of beast but well worth it in the long run. Keep it up and it will last a long time! Find a good indie you can trust and stick with him - he will be your best friend down the road when things need to be done.

 

Thanks for the info. I've started driving it and found the 4.2 to be smooth as butter and pulls with much power. I have however notices a high pitched hum coming from the engine when I accelerate over 100km.

Could this be the timing belt? The dealer I purchased from told me it was a timing chain in the 2004s.

If I do need timing belt replacement, what is the cost associated with this? Should I look into replacing the water pump and other belts while I'm at it?

Thanks again for your insights.

 

Read the owners manual and demand the dealer produce the service records.
1. Have all records
2. Search for an independent Euro shop to service that V8
3. If purchased from a dealer, there are laws to protect the customer from defects

Post the engine code from the PR label found in the spare wheel area. That PR list can be referred to the "installed equipment list".

http://www.vaglinks.com/Docs/Misc/Audi_PR_Codes.pdf

 

No chains in Audis - your model has a belt which will require replacing soon. I don't believe your timing belt will make any noise - the accessory belt may need attention. But that will be part of the timing belt service anyways.

 

Of course there's chains in Audi engines. That would depend on the engine code.
Even if it has a timing belt, there are two chains driving the 4 cams. Those smaller chains are adjusted via engine management for variable timing and tension.

Newer versions, all chain drive.

Timing belts do produce noise, especially worn or loose. That noise would be generated via the water pump pully or large end idler if the belt is too loose.
Worst case? when the idler seizes.

Noise at that steady RPM has also been attributed to a timing belt that's been installed too tightly.

If you want details, post details!

 

pics of the car ?

 

Thanks for all the info. Now as to details: the engine noise is more of a clicking sound at idle. When I accelerate it tends to speed up and a whine joins in. Otherwise the brakes, drivetrain, and suspension seems to be all good.

I'll post some pics soon.

 

Not quite, details means the engine code. Look in the trunk, there's a white label, identical to the one in the maintenance manual, take an image of that and post it. My data for make model and year indicates an AWN engine. If true, there's a timing belt and two drive chains for the cams.

You could also try this simple test in the driveway, remove the drive belt and start the engine, let it run for a minute or so, see if the noise disappears. Reinstall the drive belt and try to notice the frequency of the noise with or without the drive belt.