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Is this failure record on the timing belts, just for the 1.* A4's or are the
other A4 and S4's possibly affected by premature timing belt failure?

"Avantium" <avantium@munich.com> wrote in message
news:ad68da8c.0307180943.2ef6bbe1@posting.google.c om...
> ian@jardine.net (Ian) wrote in message
news:<1d7c2ddc.0307180555.54800f90@posting.google. com>...
>
> Ian: I have heard of them failing at 46k miles.
> Sad, but true.
>
> > I have a well maintained 1998 1.8T A4 Quattro.
> > The timing belt just broke on the I95 in North Carolina and the car
> > was towed to the dealer in Greenville NC who had to replace the
> > Cylinder head, valves etc. etc . etc. at a cost to me of $3,600.00
> --snip--
> > I rang them this morning and
> > they told me that they feel NO responsibility, because the car is out
> > of the warranty period
>
> This is typical, stick with it. I believe eventually they'll come
> around.
> There are many who have had a similar experience, and from what I see
> on the internet, Audi often pays at least something.
>
> --snip--
>
> > Well to cut it short Audi Customer Service just repeated NO.
> ....
> >No repsonsibility out of warranty. He
> > also REFUSED to give me any name of any person higher up the corporate
> > ladder. Hmmm
> .....
> > So in summary even if you strictly follow Audi dealer advisory
> > maintenance schedules and have a major failure (and a timing chain is
> > a major failure because it has NO fall back safety precautions to
> > limit damage like some other cars) Audi fells it is not at all
> > concerned for the owner and feels not even a tiny bit of
> > responsibility. Not even 10-25%. NOTHING.
>
> An Audi dealer once told me that the only way that Audi will take
> responsibility for the belt failing early is if the owner has a
> "timing belt inspection" which can only be properly done by taking the
> t-belt off the engine. Naturally, at such time, it would be pointless
> to replace the old belt, and golly, at this point, wouldn't it make
> sense to put on a new one? Essentially, it is bulls hit. I think what
> it boils down to is that each audi owner must somehow know when his
> belt will break and replace it before then. But I doubt the 46k mile
> person could have fathomed his breakage still inside the warranty
> period. For that one, I don't know the outcome.
>
> > Q: Has anyone else had similar experience?
>
> I believe if you look at websites such as audiworld.com, audifans.com
> and vwvortex.com, you'll find hundreds of similar stories.
>
> > What is concerning me here is that I am now getting unofficial
> > feedback now that some dealers tell A4 owners to change timing belts
> > between 60-70K Miles, so there has to be a history of failures here,
> > which Corporate Audi has chosen to ignore. Probably because they would
> > have to offer compensation in cases like mine.
>
> In the Audi and VW world, this is a known phenomenon. Timing belts
> break prematurely, in both the 2.8 litre entines (12v and 30v) as well
> as the 1.8 litre turbos (20v). I can't say if one breaks before the
> other. Similar in the old 20v 5-cylinder cars, but not as often and
> not as early.
>
> It is just sort of "known" that one must replace a timing belt around
> 60k miles in Audi cars for the past 10 years or so.
> Having said this is "known" I'm *not* saying that you stop pursuing
> the issue with Audi of America. Keep hammering away. Many people,
> myself included, (and I'd say you, too) believe that if the owner's
> manual recommends replacing the t-belt at 90k, then it should last to
> perhaps 120k most of the time. (i.e., a safety margin) It *IS* absurd
> that Audi "knows" about this problem and has not addressed it. You
> are quite correct. This is not a warranty issue, yet a failure
> occurred at substantially below the recommended service interval.
>
> > Well my feelings are that I would NEVER buy another Audi after this
> > experience.
>
> Some believe it is better to buy a 4-5 year old audi with 70-90k
> miles. In many cases, the previous owner will have replaced the
> t-belt once by then.
>
> Eventually I believe you'll see follow-up postings from others who
> have had the same problem.
>
> Keep hammering away at AoA. I think you'll get something.