[smokinjoe575]

I just bought my first car and it had to be an Audi. :thumbsup: I am pretty pumped! Anyway, my car is a 1997 A4 2.8 and it has 140000 miles on it. I am pretty sure that the timing belt was changed at 90000 but not a 100% sure. I know it has not been changed since then and I am worried about it. Before I bought the car I had it checked out at the dealership and they also recommended that the belt be replaced. However, I know that it will cost about $1000 to fix and I am a 19 year old college student that does not have money comming out of my ears. I would really like to waite 6 months to change it. Is it worth the risk?

Any information on this topic would be much appreciated.

PS. I am honored to be speaking with such awesome audi enthusiasts.

 

[Alistair]

The timing belt should be changed every 60k miles. Its not really worth the risk if your not sure if it breaks bye, bye engine. Its not very difficult to change your self. You don't need any special tools and it takes about 4 hours to do. Some people say you should use cam and fuel pump locking tools but tippex will do ( if the belt has jumped a notch on any sprocket the car will run like a dog ). Also replace the belt tention roller and the small idling roller at the same time.

 

[smokinjoe575]

Hey, thanks for the tips. I am not a mechanic but I will see what I can do :thumbsup:

 

[cheesemax]

Originally posted by Alistair@Mar 15 2005, 05:55 AM
The timing belt should be changed every 60k miles. Its not really worth the risk if your not sure if it breaks bye, bye engine. Its not very difficult to change your self. You don't need any special tools and it takes about 4 hours to do. Some people say you should use cam and fuel pump locking tools but tippex will do ( if the belt has jumped a notch on any sprocket the car will run like a dog ). Also replace the belt tention roller and the small idling roller at the same time.

Quoted post​

The only thing I would add to Alistairs good advice would be to check your water pump for any signs of leakage while you are at it. You might want to replace it at the same time depending on the cost (do it yourself?). You don't want to do all the work of changing the timing belt and have to do all that work again to get at the water pump two months later.

Good luck.

 

[smokinjoe575]

Yeah the dealer also mentioned the water pump as something else to be replaced. I really apreciate your advise but I am a bit hesitant to start working on my engine when I really only have general mechanical knowledge. From what I understand, to get to the timing belt you have to basicly have to put out the engine. I am not sure how accurate that statement is but I was just wandering if anyone could give me any general instruction on how to go about replacing the belt. Thanks so much!

 

[smokinjoe575]

Any direction on this topic would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Dazzallix]

Hello Everyone,
I would just like to add after buying my used 1999 A4,i never thought the timing belt would require replacing so soon after the 60000 service, :wacko: my neighbour who also owns a A4 advised me you really need to get it checked....
I will i said
Anyway 3 weeks later i was driving along at 70mph and it cut out on me,pulled over to the hard shoulder,not expecting the AA man to give me the news that my timing belt had snapped
£3500 later i learnt a expensive lesson.
Good Luck.

 

[JoKeR23z]

yea , My timing belt recently went on me when I was going about 40 MPH , and it just shut off. Thinkin it was the starter i tryed push starting it a few times and a day later after getting it towed , found out the timing belt went, and mabe other things inside the engine might need work, approx 1000$ to 1500 $ of damage........still debating whether im going to fix it or whatever......not sure if its worth it because I keep hearing your engine is gone when your belt goes.......anybody know anything , please help =(

thanx

 

[cheesemax]

Picture this,,,,, your timing belt goes and the pistons end up smacking into the valves as the engine continues to turnover. Ouch!
The engine is pretty much shot after this happens. I've been very careful to respect the maintenance schedule for the timing belt on my A4.
I had a GTI several years ago and lost the belt. A buddy on mine in the car business fished around and found a used engine from a scrap yard with about 40K kilometres on it. Alot cheaper than rebuilding the damaged engine and it ran like a charm.