98 A4 Audi Silver 1.8 turbo Priced @ $1000 (used)

[dj spiel]

Came Across an ad, the ad states

"needs a timing belt call for more info, thanks steve(_ _ _) 6__- __45 $1000.00 firm"


I emailed the seller with the below.

What the deal with the timing belt? You are very vague in your email...Did you bend any valves? Did the timing belt snap? Does the car run? Is the title clean? How many miles on the car?

How are the control arms?
Did you do the spark plugs,all filters,oil changes while you owned the car?
Do you have paperwork/proof that you worked on car?
**********************************************
Seller Response,

yes the timing belt did break and it did bend valves the repair shop told me $800-$1000 to repair it. being laid off right now i dont have the money to fix it so we decided to sell it thanks Steve 8__ 69_ _ _ _ _ call for more info.



What's market cost to repair it?

[AudiNFS]

That almost sounds like it's just for labor, not including parts.

[dj spiel]

Yeah if I recall it's a what 2000$/3000$ job. Unless I do it myself...would need some help though and new tools..

[stevejones19]

try to get it for 800? tell him market isn't really that great for these in good shape to start, and once you add the repair to the bill, it's not that great of a deal for 1000$

[prizmatik]

It will cost a solid $1000 just for parts, and machine work. If its a quattro and you repair yourself, it will be worth it, as long as the car is in good condition.

[.Mad Hatter.]

most shops will charge almost $1000 for a timing belt job (parts and labor of course).

[prizmatik]

most shops will charge almost $1000 for a timing belt job (parts and labor of course).

Yeah, but the valves are bent. Valves arent cheap ( 5 per cylinder), plus the head gasket set you will need to purchase, and a little of machine work, plus the timing belt and timing belt tensioner, and maybe a water pump would be a good idea, and hopefully you have all the tools you need.

[.Mad Hatter.]

that was the point...

[guy022077]

i can say if you KNOW it is only head damage it will cost you a new head and timing belt kit (800 give or take) and a full day of labor if you DIY. if there is any chance it is not ONLY the head i would pass or just plan on buying another motor (1k) and a timing belt kit (300) and it will be 2 days of labor.

what will a 98 a4 be worth when you do all that work? not much. for the same 2k you could find a running a4 and just do a timing belt kit (300) and have a good car with not much labor.

i did this same thing bought a car with a "small problem" and ended up spending a lot of money to get the car sellable if you are nto 100% it is only the head i would pass

[dowsett6]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/cto/2020662969.html

[Watson]

Just get a new head and slap it on while doing your timing belt? It's not that hard at all, it took me 7 days with about 1-2 hours a day for the first time and that included head, port n polishe(mild), head gasket, thermostat, waterpump and cleaning up everything in and around the engine. Its not easy but its definately not hard. If you have the space and time to do it go for it.

[NeedingAnAudi]

Yeah if I recall it's a what 2000$/3000$ job. Unless I do it myself...would need some help though and new tools..

I just finished an AEB rebuild so if you get this car and need help don't hesitate to drop me a pm if you need a hand.

[Avant Nate]

Auto trans is a turnoff. I would do it if a manual. Buy a used head, tb kit, and a head gasket set.

[walky_talky20]

We've done a few of these at our shop (t-belt w/ accompanying valve damage repair on the 1.8T). It usually comes to around $2,000 to $2500 depending on whether we just replace the valves or get a replacement head.

Often times it involves more "sludge-related" repairs, such as replacing the journal bearing in the turbo and cleaning the oil pickup screen (dropping the oil pan). This is because sludge damage can cause a camshaft to lock-up. This will cause the t-belt to snap, causing an A4 to end up in the classifieds with a "broken t-belt". When in fact it needs a lot more work. You'd have to look into a bit to know what's up.

[Watson]

^Is there any certain ways to check for sludge??

[Euromike]

Both of my cars (2.8's) were salvaged timing belt failures. I did some of it and had my mechanic do the majority that i didnt trust myself with. One of my cars had 30 bent valves, one had 6. Got 1 car for 1000, and one i already owned when the belt snapped. The 2.8 requires ALOT more parts, and my parts bill was about 1300 with all gaskets / valves / everything i wanted to replace while i was in there. Should be 800-900 on a 1.8T. There was no other damage, But you are much more likely to have cylinder damage due to it being a turbo car.

[walky_talky20]

Well, you can try and turn the cams a bit, pop the valve cover and check it out. Ask the owner about oil warning lights/alarms.

You can also look at the timing belt to see if died from natural causes (just being old, cracked, etc), or if it looked perfect and was torn from stress. Find out when the belt was last done. If the car has 115k an the belt was original, you can probably assume it's just a normal belt failure. If the belt was done at 90k and snapped at 115k, though, you may be looking at more. I've seen this sludge-induced cam-lockup and subsequent belt-failure more than once, so it's just something I wanted to mention as a possibility.

[Watson]

Thanks for explaining that to me, I just wanted to know for personal knowledge.

[prizmatik]

Ultimately, is the value of the car worth it? I am still curious to know if it is a quattro, cause if its not, probably wont be worth it. If the value isnt worth it, buy it and part it out like I have done on many A4's, and have fun!

[Spanky387]

FCP groton has everything you need to rebuild a head for 250 bucks, plus a timing belt kit, your looking at 500 bucks at most

http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...ategory_id/121

[99blueb5]

its easier to find a good used head and a tbelt kit and be done with it, it should be around 1000-1200 thats what it costed for mine

[B52.8L]

My timing belt snaped on my 2.8L and the engine was trashed had to but another motor and yeah maybe 800-1000 just for labor if you have a shop do it for you of course. Youre looking at another 1500+ for another motor and then who knows what else might be acting up with that car idk about that one man

[terraflata]

Seems like buying a full motor would just be easier.

[Snow]

Well, you can try and turn the cams a bit, pop the valve cover and check it out. Ask the owner about oil warning lights/alarms.

You can also look at the timing belt to see if died from natural causes (just being old, cracked, etc), or if it looked perfect and was torn from stress. Find out when the belt was last done. If the car has 115k an the belt was original, you can probably assume it's just a normal belt failure. If the belt was done at 90k and snapped at 115k, though, you may be looking at more. I've seen this sludge-induced cam-lockup and subsequent belt-failure more than once, so it's just something I wanted to mention as a possibility.

Good info man. Definitely something worth looking into

[SmokeTheRear]

Vr swaap :D lool

[prizmatik]

FCP groton has everything you need to rebuild a head for 250 bucks, plus a timing belt kit, your looking at 500 bucks at most

http://www.fcpgroton.com/product-exe...ategory_id/121

WOw, that is cheap! WHere did you find that website. Thats a good find, I am saving that site for future reference.

[Audi Skate Snow]

dude that is fucking cheap! Little hesitant about it though.