powderlvr

Looks as though I might get genuine Audi timing belt job parts; I just towed the car to the local Audi dealer. They promised to match competitors' prices for service jobs. I find that hard to believe but we'll see.

My 2001 allroad is due for a timing belt job as well (its third or fourth one). Maybe they'll give me two for the price of one!

-JT

TSHong

I agree with the previous post about not using cheap parts because of the labor to go back in there again. I did use a Blauparts timing belt kit on my D2 with good success but I might be in the minority.

2k6blacka8

When I had my 04, I had a continental timing kit installed in mine and I never had any problems with it. It's actually a good kit. Since you are at 140K on the 1st timing belt change, that thermostat is most likely bad from a few yrs of use and it's time for another service. I had mine done for $950 and that included everything and serpentine belt and thermostat. I hope everything works out for you.

powderlvr

Update: The Audi dealer just called and said that the water pump had seized. They are going to do the full timing belt kit job for $1,800 and said that everything else looks OK. Should be good as new by tomorrow.

-JT

powderlvr

Second update: Just found out that the previous timing belt job was also done at an Audi dealer. The mileage at that time was 78,000 and the mileage now is about 142,000. So this genuine water pump lasted just 64,000 miles.

-JT

dvs_dave

That's a worry. Do you know what caused the pump to fail early? Bad install, belt tension too high? Blown seals/gasket?

mishar

Drawing any conclusion on a dealers triage or report is a tricky job.

TSHong

If the water pump had seized, the bearing inside the pump must have went bad. It would be logical if the pump seized, the timing belt should have made some noise because of the seized water pump.

powderlvr

Update 3: The dealer has lowered the price of the timing belt kit install to $1550. Another independent shop quoted me $1000 but I am not sure the provenance of the parts.

Yes, I've been noticing a weird sound. About 10 minutes before the car overheated, when I started it, I heard what sounded like a bad bearing from something up front. I actually opened the hood to investigate. I didn't see anything weird and wondered what the noise was. Looking back I think I've been hearing the coolant pump failing for quite some time. Now that I know the sound I won't let it happen again. It's subtle but sounds like marbles bouncing around in the engine.

I don't know why the pump failed early. I will continue to go 75,000 miles between timing belts but if I hear the sound of a failing water pump again I'll know to get it done early. A lesson learned and, by luck, a good outcome.

My allroad has 262,000 miles on it and is going strong. With any luck I'll get just as many miles out of the A8.

-JT

TSHong

Sounds like the either the impellers were hitting inside the water pump. Who knows why it went out so early but sounds like it did. At least you did not damage the engine so it's not too bad. A little earlier than schedule but in the grand scheme of things, lucky no head work needed.