timing belt cover question

[magz]

OK, probably a stupid question but I have only had this car a couple of weeks now and didn't see anything in the archives when I searched. A quick background: previous owner forgot to install part of the timing belt cover back on the car after he had the front clip off last for whatever reason. My local tech pointed it out during a PPI but didn't give a sense of whether this was urgent or not.

I wrote it off initially because I thought it was just a tiny piece of the cover that was missing, but when I took a look in the engine bay while filling up with gas I noticed that the upper section was still in place, but it appeared there was a pretty big exposed area towards the middle & bottom. I've been driving the car to & from work daily, about 8 miles total. I can get a pic tomorrow post if it helps.

My question is, am I pushing my luck? As in, should I park it for good until I find replacement parts? And if so, what is the procedure like to get access past the radiator where the cover is? It seems pretty tight in there and I'm not sure if that's something you can crawl underneath and maneuver in place without taking everything off.

Or is this something that can wait for a few weeks and I can address when I replace the radiator fan clutch once it warms up a bit?

Thanks.

[Frizo]

I would replace that pronto!! Wouldnt want something kicking up in there causing your belt to break.. Park it till you get the cover back on, just my opinion.

[magz]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. After doing a bit of digging it looks like it was probably the fan blades hitting the y-pipe, and the PO left them off as a temporary fix. Which would make sense since the shop that did my PPI said the fan clutch was starting to go too.

update: Looks like I am probably right. Sounds pretty similar to this guy: http://forums.audiworld.com/s4/msgs/2470152.phtml

Damn. ECS has each section listed at ~$50. Does this sound about right?

[Matt Danger]

The type of area you drive around in will determine the level of concern but I wouldn't say it's urgent or that you should park your car. The radiator support sits very close to the engine and that provides a lot of blocking. You should make it a priority to order and install the cover so you have the protection. Depending on which cover is missing will determine whether the bumper needs to come off and the radiator support needs to be pulled forward.

Order the part and continue to drive the car until you get it and can have it installed. Just don't go bombing around in the back roads.

[Matt Danger]

Damn. ECS has each section listed at ~$50. Does this sound about right?

It's a small plastic cover. $50 is outrageous. Look through the classifieds for someone who is parting out a car or engine and buy it for $15. That's what I paid last summer for the bottom center piece.

[Big Boost]

Famous last words, "Oh the cover should be fine." 8 grand later here I stand. Yes, it includes the K04's and fueling, but just replacing the valves, head gaskets, timing covers, cam gear, valve cover gaskets, cam seals, tensioners, timing belt, etc PLUS labor, it gets expensive real fast. Replace that sucker and look closely for loose bolts. A $.30 part caused a $3000 catastrophe.

[magz]

It's a small plastic cover. $50 is outrageous. Look through the classifieds for someone who is parting out a car or engine and buy it for $15. That's what I paid last summer for the bottom center piece.

Good call. That is surprisingly expensive. I imagine the local dealer would be more costly. I'm going to check with the local Audi club and see if there are any used ones laying around, otherwise I'll have to get on the horn tomorrow and place an order.

And as a follow-up, it looks like the pipe leading to the throttle body on the driver side screws into one of the covers, and the screw broke off. This I guess caused the pipe to get loose and come in contact with the fan blade and clutch, wearing them prematurely.

The PO suggested just JB welding the old broken cover so the pipe wasn't being hit to get me by until spring, when I can properly address it. Does this sound like a viable option? My buddy's garage isn't heated and the high today (and pretty much the rest of the week) is -4*F, so anything to get me by for a while would be fantastic.

Thanks.