Timing belt fixed incorrectly?

**tubatuba** · 05-10-2008 05:35 PM

Howdy,

I recently had my timing belt replaced at an independent mechanic. '02 A4 1.8TQM with 58k miles.

So after the job the car seems to be driving differently. Seems to be a lag when I shift from 1st to 2nd, like the motor is trying to catch up. I know what turbo lag is and this seems to be similar, but I've never felt it when already rolling and shifting into 2nd. At least not enough to make mention of it until now.

Also when I apply the gas the RPMs jump 600-1000 and drop back down before I get any acceleration. An example. I was in 3rd doing about 35mph. I attempted to pass a SUV going under the speed limit of 45. When I stepped on the gas, my RPMs jumped from 2800 to 3800, dropped back down to 3200, and then I felt the acceleration. Happens at highway speeds too in higher gears, but less dramatically. Maybe a 400-600 RPM jump.

In six years of ownership, the car never acted this way. The mechanic said something about the serpentine belt being too tight, that he really had to struggle to remove it. So is this a matter of the serp was never installed properly and I got used to driving the car out of spec? Or is this a botched timing belt job? Misaligned marks or something?

Thanks,

tuba

**A4 TSCHUSS** · 05-10-2008 05:50 PM

Sounds like your clutch is slipping. That is exactly what will happen. May just be a coincidence that it started slipping right after the belt job was done.

**quat** · 05-10-2008 05:50 PM

Almost sounds more like your clutch is slipping... Even with a timing problem your RPMs shouldn't jump around like that. Your "serpentine" ( I assume he mean the accessory drive belt ) belt is actually really easy to remove. A 17mm wrench on the tensioner and a clockwise turn should have removed it really easy unless there was a bunch of junk keeping the tensioner from being released.

I know that when I blew my clutch up it acted very similar.

**quat** · 05-10-2008 05:51 PM

posted at the same time... JINX!?

**tubatuba** · 05-10-2008 06:39 PM

Well, from what I'm reading about slipping clutches, it appears you two are probably right. Going to head back over to the mechanic on Monday and talk to them about it.

Thanks for the info. At least now I'm on the right track and can have an intelligent conversation with them.