Today I asked an Audi service rep when I should replace the timing belt and he said only when it shows wear or cracking or the water pump starts leaking. He said they remove the timing belt cover during the regular service and then decide whether to recommend replacement of the belt and/or water pump. No mileage considerations. Any comments?

Ask him if the dealership will pay to fix it in case it breaks between services. Normal (since timing belts were first used) change interval was always 60K miles. These days, some people stretch it longer, but that's pretty risky. If you do change it, it generally makes sense to do the waterpump at the same time. I don't have an a4, mine's a 93 S4 but still, most of this is generally accepted info.

This attitude scares me; I would think by the time it start shows signs of cracking, you're at impending doom time. I seem to remember a tech session at an independent shop; mechanic doing the demo topok out an old timing blet he had removed from a car and twisted it into a figure-8. Several of the teeth pulled away from the belt. I shudder to think what would have happened to that belt under a high load, high RPM condition.

If you're pushing 60K, is time to get it replaced I would recommend. I had a belt on old Coupe Quattro (20V DOHC 5 cuylinder) which jumped a cog at about that time. No engine damage, fortunately.

Preventative maintenance (paranoia?). The suggested interval is 90,000 miles, but I went with the conservative route on this item. If it is showing wear, have it done.

Sharon
'97 1.8Tqm

Like Ray, that attitude scares me, and it's easy for them to say because you'll pay them for a full engine rebuild if they gamble and lose with YOUR money.

The two techs I respect most (friends), neither of whom works for an Audi dealer [one used to] but both of whom have worked on many Audis & Porsches, and my service advisor, who I also knew prior to buying the A4, all recommend replacing the timing belt at 60k... absolutely no later than 75k.

getting my timing belt done next Friday as part of 80k miles service
The belts costs around £80 and it takes 4 hours to do @ £44 per hour

...and break. I've heard of it happening. Still, the odds are better heaving it done! :-)

Charles

I think that the timing belt adds about $300 to the job.

Sharon

nt