Issues regarding the timing belt warranty campaign

[1827planes]

hey previously i mentioned that my 2000 A4 1.8L Turbo (86k miles) had a timing belt malfunction and caused a lethal engine damage which requires an engine replacement. I read the terms on the settlement, and here is what i don't exactly get it...

1)
IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND/OR
REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS RELATED TO POSSIBLE FUTURE TIMING BELT SYSTEM
FAILURE UP TO 105,000 MILES, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR TIMING BELT INSPECTED AT THE
NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AFTER YOU RECEIVE THIS NOTICE AND THEN
FOLLOW THE REVISED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, INCLUDING ANY RECOMMENDED REPAIRS
OR REPLACEMENTS.

audi suggested a timing belt check every 40,000 miles in the Revised Maintenance Schedule --- so if my vehicle broke down before this new schedule was released, am i still entitled to the reimbursement? and by the way, does anyone know what the original schedule was?





2)
Out of pocket expenses arising from Covered Engine Damage sustained prior • to August 11, 2008 will be reimbursed if submitted to the Settlement Administrator on or before September 30, 2008. This reimbursement includes costs incurred for Covered Engine Damage to vehicles, labor, delivery and handling charges, and all other reasonable out of pocket expenses caused by timing belt system failure,including, but not limited to, towing, alternate transportation,and lodging expenses.


Can anyone shed some light on what the term "covered engine damage" is? I have had my engine replaced after the incidence. Am i still entitled to the claim? I called AoA customer service hotline and honestly, they aint especially helpful in solving my problems.....



Thanks so much!

[Seerlah]

Your best bet is to call the dealership and have a talk with them. A representative should be well informed of this matter and clear any inquiries pertaiing to specifics of what you (the sovereign individual) are entitled to.

[NewFisher]

I think you are covered if you timing belt went before 105,000. I went to the dealership today and they even seem to be confused.... Best bet is to call Audi of America directly and keep asking for someone different until you get the clarification you need.

[1827planes]

yes they are kinda confusing.....
so on top of my questions...can you guys also share your experiences with the cs people on the issue......just wanna know what versions are they trying to tell...thx =)



edited:
and regarding the reimbursement program,
given all those terms listed above, is Audi only returning money to out-of-pocket-payers who did their inspection at 40k or 80k (with 1.5k allowance)?
I mean i bought the car when it was 85.8k and the timing belt snapped at 86.1k. I am not sure if the previous owner had done the checks.....so what should i do? am i still entitled to get my money back for all the repairs? help!

[boostedup]

im goin through the same thing. the dealership will not help as all of the reimbursement is done through a third party. send your reciepts to the address on the letter you received. (send copies of receipts not originals). that's where i am at now. after that it's a waiting game..............

[1827planes]

yea, they don't even let me know if i am qualified for the reimbursement or not and it's really torturing me. buying it for 8k and having to repair it 6 days later for 6k+ is no fun at all..

they just kept saying the settlement administrator is independent from them and they are gonna handle everything, and then asked me ask if there's anything else that they could do for me for the day...lol...would be good enough if they can at least let me know what's ok and what's not

[lawnferie]

yea, they don't even let me know if i am qualified for the reimbursement or not and it's really torturing me. buying it for 8k and having to repair it 6 days later for 6k+ is no fun at all..

wow. that sux. I automatically replaced my T-belt right away because I knew it was common. My dad & I did it and saved ALOT of $$$. Well, we only had to pay for parts so, there's you're figure on money spent.

[matt719]

I'm still pissed this doesn't cover all 1.8T models. The tensioner on mine went at 80K and the previous owner had to dish out like $2500 for repairs. Would have been sweet if I got $2500 for it-not that I deserve it, but I can't figure out why there is this MY discrimination.

[onemoremile]

I can't figure out why there is this MY discrimination.

Because the tensioner was different and this campaign covers the tensioner - not the timing belt. If the tensioner failed all subsequent failures are covered but the tensioner is where the focus is.

[onemoremile]

hey previously i mentioned that my 2000 A4 1.8L Turbo (86k miles) had a timing belt malfunction and caused a lethal engine damage which requires an engine replacement. I read the terms on the settlement, and here is what i don't exactly get it...

1)
IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND/OR
REIMBURSEMENT OF COSTS RELATED TO POSSIBLE FUTURE TIMING BELT SYSTEM
FAILURE UP TO 105,000 MILES, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR TIMING BELT INSPECTED AT THE
NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AFTER YOU RECEIVE THIS NOTICE AND THEN
FOLLOW THE REVISED MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE, INCLUDING ANY RECOMMENDED REPAIRS
OR REPLACEMENTS.

audi suggested a timing belt check every 40,000 miles in the Revised Maintenance Schedule --- so if my vehicle broke down before this new schedule was released, am i still entitled to the reimbursement? and by the way, does anyone know what the original schedule was?





2)
Out of pocket expenses arising from Covered Engine Damage sustained prior • to August 11, 2008 will be reimbursed if submitted to the Settlement Administrator on or before September 30, 2008. This reimbursement includes costs incurred for Covered Engine Damage to vehicles, labor, delivery and handling charges, and all other reasonable out of pocket expenses caused by timing belt system failure,including, but not limited to, towing, alternate transportation,and lodging expenses.


Can anyone shed some light on what the term "covered engine damage" is? I have had my engine replaced after the incidence. Am i still entitled to the claim? I called AoA customer service hotline and honestly, they aint especially helpful in solving my problems.....



Thanks so much!

1) covers potential future damage. If your belt broke and damaged the engine this has nothing to do with you.
The original maintenance schedule is in a book bundled with your manual. every car gets one.

2) covers engines that have been damaged. This is you. Photocopy your receipts and send them in. If you've got a lot of separate receipts then you may want to make a little spreadsheet to help organize them.
"covered engine damage" is any engine part damaged by the tensioner failure. Pistons, valves, lifters, etc..





How is anybody still confused by any of this? They give you dates, instructions, and contact info. If you meet the criteria then apply. If you don't but are close then apply anyway to see what happens. You've got nothing to lose.

[matt719]

Because the tensioner was different and this campaign covers the tensioner - not the timing belt. If the tensioner failed all subsequent failures are covered but the tensioner is where the focus is.

But wasn't it the older style tensioner that was prone to breaking? And now they have an "updated" tensioner. It was the tensioner that failed on my AEB. After the head was rebuilt the car was fitted with an "updated tensioner."

[1827planes]

thanks for all the input; since i am not a native english speaker, i have some problems in understanding some parts of the statement:


Reimbursement Program
***Audi shall be under no obligation to provide the benefits under the Extended Warranty Program or the Reimbursement Program if you fail to have your timing belt initially inspected within 1,500 miles after the mileage prescribed by Audi in the Revised Maintenance Schedule or before September 30, 2008 if the Settlement Class Vehicle is a 2001 Audi TT or Audi A4.


I got three ways in understanding this 61-word-setence...
can somebody tell me which would be the right way to interpret? btw, my car is 2000 A4 1.8T....

VERSION A
Audi shall be under no obligation to provide the benefits under the Extended Warranty Program or the Reimbursement Program if you fail to have your timing belt initially inspected
1) within 1,500 miles after the mileage prescribed by Audi in the Revised Maintenance Schedule, or
2) before September 30, 2008,
if the Settlement Class Vehicle is a 2001 Audi TT or Audi A4.

(so the conditions only apply to 2001 A4s and TTs?)

VERSION B
Audi shall be under no obligation to provide the benefits under the Extended Warranty Program or the Reimbursement Program if
1) you fail to have your timing belt initially inspected within 1,500 miles after the mileage prescribed by Audi in the Revised Maintenance Schedule, or
(so does it mean that every vehicle in the settlement class has to have the check in that mileage range or they wont be qualified?)
2) before September 30, 2008 if the Settlement Class Vehicle is a 2001 Audi TT or Audi A4.


VERSION C
Audi shall be under no obligation to provide the benefits under the Extended Warranty Program or the Reimbursement Program
1) if you fail to have your timing belt initially inspected within 1,500 miles after the mileage prescribed by Audi in the Revised Maintenance Schedule, or before September 30, 2008
2) if the Settlement Class Vehicle is a 2001 Audi TT or Audi A4.
(but 2001 models are also considered as the settlement class vehicle!)


what do you guys think?
thanks!!