When is it Time(ing) Belt?

[YelloSno80]

I am considering changing out my timing belt, with only 56k on my 2007 A3

Does anyone else hear excessive timing belt sqeeks on their car so soon? It's hard to be stealth while rolling up to some gangstas in a driveby when my timing belt gives me away, know what I am sayin'?


Actually, I just don't want to get caught by the wife leaving for a midnight cruise....

[TRPDC5]

I am considering changing out my timing belt, with only 56k on my 2007 A3

Does anyone else hear excessive timing belt sqeeks on their car so soon? It's hard to be stealth while rolling up to some gangstas in a driveby when my timing belt gives me away, know what I am sayin'?


Actually, I just don't want to get caught by the wife leaving for a midnight cruise....

I'm pretty sure that all 2.0L audi's have a timing chain, which means that there is no need for replacement. The noise that you hear is coming from the serpentine belt...

[Seerlah]

Timing chain is for the cams.

OP, I would not go past 65k before swapping out TB, Thermostat, and Water Pump.

[YelloSno80]

You would do water pump too?

[Seerlah]

Everything. Get a complete kit.

[JeeprageII]

I doubt the timing belt is squeaking, and it is likely a serpentine belt running your accessories that needs replacement or tightening.

[$nooze]

has to be changed every 115k kms, or 7 years whichever comes first. 7 years is due to the age of the rubber and it can snap any given time after that, and the 115k kms is for safety. on my civic the dealership said i didnt have to change it till 165k kms. on my b7 it says to change at 120k i believe but 115 for timing belt and water pump always on my vehicles.

[YelloSno80]

just bought the whole timing belt kit to be on the safe side. I hate the noise the belt is making, the car runs good but sounds used.

[jimrobbington]

I did my timing belt at 80k miles, which is what the factory recommends, I believe. Water pump is always replaced with the timing belt, mainly because the timing belt must be removed to do the water pump, and they might as well change it while they are there, in hopes to never have to fix a bad water pump also. Dealer quoted me like $1200 I think. If you can do it yourself, more power to you. I had it done at my shop for $900 ish.

[gCHOW]

i changed mine at 55k cuz some cracks were starting to develop on the belt.

and x2 about doing the whole thing at once.

[A4plosion]

I agree with the squeaking noise coming from your serpentine belt. Mine does the same. Also, 2X I would change the timing belt at 65k. You can probably go longer but why chance it and if you change it now I think it's too early. Start saving for the install unless you're doing it yourself and by the time 65k comes you'll have the funds. Not cheap!

[KMPRSSD]

I just got a letter from my dealer saying that timing belt is not recomended till 128 thousand (B6 2.0T) It was originally 85, but they have changed the service interval. Check with your dealer.

[betyouaint]

Changing your timing belt too early will only hurt your wallet. 65k is almost half the recommended mileage which was upped from 75k to 115k. Audi have little to gain by upping the interval so they would have only done it if it was deemed 99.99% safe to do so. It is possible to baby your car too much. Many owners change their oil at half or even a third of the recommended interval under the notion it will preserve their engine and reduce wear. Although I don't subscribe to this philosophy, at least an oil change is relatively inexpensive compared to a timing belt change. The only reasons to change it prior to the stated interval is a) unlikely physical external damage, b) you're both rich and paranoid, c) some dude on the forum relayed some half baked horror stories of countless failures thus perpetuating the myth still further.

[drunkandslurred]

65k is too early unless you see signs of wear or cracks. This might be a little more common in the nothern reasons with the colder winters. The reason people used to change water pumps at low intervals is if it has plastic blades. I believe our pumps are all metal so shouldn't have a problem there. At 120k the seals might need to be replaced for preventive maintanence and if your taking it out anyway just replace it for peace of mind.