Signs you need to replace the timing belt

[kaizr]

Well, what are they?

I am at 78.5 k in a t q m. I have been pricing in the area.

The dealership quoted around 1300, with 6 or so hours of labor.

A place called Greff Motors quoted around 1100, they seem legit too. http://www.greffmotors.com/ Also with 6 or so hours of labor.

I asked Greff if I could bring my own parts (getting the kit for around 300 online) and they said it was fine but they couldn't guarantee the warranty for those parts. They also said that the estimate is based on profit margins so they would probably increase the labor cost by about 25%.

I didn't ask the dealership about bringing my own parts, but I honestly feel that Greff probably knows more about Audi's than the Audi dealership does.

I was going to hold off a little longer BUT now I'm having problems.

I park in a garage so the problem is especially noticeable. Basically, it sounds like a spray paint can rattling, except with a gigantic ball inside and not a tinny one. Not sure what else to equate the sound to. Basically a big rattle. It sounds like its coming from the belt in the front (serpentine?). It looks like one of the pulleys its connected to is connected to something metal that is rattling or something. Not sure.

Any help? Let me know if you need more details.

[killer8424]

Don't f*** around with the timing belt. Get it replaced. I think I got mine done for $1100 so somewhere around there seems legit.

[thebikedoctor33]

the best indicator you need to replace your tb/wp.... your odo reads a number higher than 70,000k.

If you know your way around your car and do most of your own work, a tb is not all that intense of a job. Just need to pay attention and take your time, and save yourself 800 dollars by the sounds of it.

But if you do get it done at a shop, you WANT them to warranty the job. Not worth it to save a 100 dollars and not have them stand behind their work.

[B6JoeS4]

engine failure

[POPO]

I just did my timing belt and water pump myself last week. I had 76,360 on the clock. I took it to the dealer when Audi mailed out that class action lawsuit info and they told me it need to be done soon. I decided to do it myself. It was easy to do. I followed the DIY posts here and took my time. All you have to do is make sure you get all the tools that are recommended andtake your time. Dealer by me quoted $1700 and the tuning shop that i bought a few things from qouted me $750. I got the kit for around $250 and spent maybe $100 in misc tools. So for about $350, the timing belt and water pump was done :)

[ApexIt]

Yeah, dont screw around with it. I just had mine done and it wasnt really that hard. You wont be able to tell how bad of a shape the belts/pump are in until you take them off. Thankfully, my water pump look good but the belts showed signs of cracking.

[shoothepress]

the best indicator you need to replace your tb/wp.... your odo reads a number higher than 70,000k.

amen.

[kaizr]

Thanks for all the info.

But does anyone have any clue what the sound is that my car is making? I guess you could say it started making it a few weeks (months?) ago, just very subtle. Essentially sounded like it didn't have that smooth engine hum the turbo has. Now it sounds like a loud baby rattler. Are the odds that when the belts/pumps are replaced it will take care of this?

[Mikef5000]

There is absolutely no signs before a timing belt goes. ABSOLUTELY NONE!

JUST DO IT!

Took me 10 hours (of taking my sweet old time) and a box of standard tools.


I'd probably get it done in half that time if I had a second go at it.

[AudiA4_20T]

There is absolutely no signs before a timing belt goes. ABSOLUTELY NONE!

JUST DO IT!

Took me 10 hours (of taking my sweet old time) and a box of standard tools.


I'd probably get it done in half that time if I had a second go at it.

dude why did you flip the whole front end up? lol I just pull it out a little

[POPO]

Here is my thought, if you are that concerned about the noise then change the tb/wp so you dont get caught out there later. If after the change you still have the noise, then you know its something else...but atleast u have a new belt and pump.

[GTMRS4]

I just asked the local tech to do it - cost me 700 total - 300 parts and 400 for labor

[zz2h33]

^thats a steal

[msharifi]

I just did my timing belt and water pump myself last week. I had 76,360 on the clock. I took it to the dealer when Audi mailed out that class action lawsuit info and they told me it need to be done soon. I decided to do it myself. It was easy to do. I followed the DIY posts here and took my time. All you have to do is make sure you get all the tools that are recommended andtake your time. Dealer by me quoted $1700 and the tuning shop that i bought a few things from qouted me $750. I got the kit for around $250 and spent maybe $100 in misc tools. So for about $350, the timing belt and water pump was done :)

question on replacing the timing belt.. do you need to take the whole front off to replace the timing belt? is there a DYI without taking the whole front end off?

[audistheonlyone]

i just did mine at 68k and it costed 600 total from a local audi vw shop

[Tgr_Clw]

Wait until it breaks and do it several days prior.

[kwimberly]

Cost me $475 - $225 for the kit from MJM and local AZ'er (dirtybrd) did the install for $250.

[alexza4]

did mine this last fall as well. took half of the afternoon. just follow the writeup on here and do it yourself, its not a hard job.

[rmg0685]

I know that noise that you are talking about because mine started making it just after i got my car revo'd. and i have also been wondering what it is because when you first start it up, it doesn't make the noise but after you drive the car for a little the noise starts up. and i don;t think it has to do with the timing belt because my car only has 45k on it. any thoughts?

[rhumen]

what do i look at to see if it has been done already?

i purchased my car with 88K and was told it was done with the water pump, but i want to have additional verification for peace of mind. the last 2K miles have been perfect, i just don't want a surprise.

so, how would i know?

[ProJect_*A4*]

Im wondering what that sound is too, definately sounds like a big ass fucking rattle can with a gigantic ball but its not coming from the front of the car. its coming from right here, anybody tell me wtf this part does/functions as. Thank you.


(its the silver round part thats under the breather hose, right above the A4 in a4mods.com

[rmg0685]

no mine definitely sounds like it is coming from the front of the car, either from the radiator or somewhere behind it.

[old guy]

Im wondering what that sound is too, definately sounds like a big ass fucking rattle can with a gigantic ball but its not coming from the front of the car. its coming from right here, anybody tell me wtf this part does/functions as. Thank you.


(its the silver round part thats under the breather hose, right above the A4 in a4mods.com

The sound is probably coming from your cam chain adjuster that is located at the back of the head. The silver thing is the combi valve that opens up when the SAI pump is running. It only functions for about 90 seconds on a cold start.

[old guy]

no mine definitely sounds like it is coming from the front of the car, either from the radiator or somewhere behind it.

If the rattle is coming from the front of the motor it could very well be the timing belt tensioner . Don't mess around waiting. At 70K+ miles go ahead and replace the belt, tensioner, and water pump. not worth the risk.

Edit: Just read your first post closer. Is the tensioner on the serpentine belt jumping around? Turn the car off and see if you can pull it away from the belt by hand. If you can the tension spring in the adjuster is shot and the unit needs replacing. Also feel the all the pulleys contacting the serpentine belt and see if they wobble any. If so replace them. Even if you find an issue there I would still recommend replacing the TB, tensioner and water pump.