Timing Belt Interval Demystified

[pfreyre]

Hi all, I want to start with saying yes, I have searched the forum before asking. My question is: how often do you replace the timing belt on a 2002 Audi A4 B6 with the 3.0 V6 engine? The reason I’m asking is because the answers I keep finding online are inconsistent, and all over the board. I just bought the car on Saturday, I love it and I want to take good care of it.

My previous car was a 1998 Subaru Outback. Yes, the one with the EJ25 engine that had a nearly 100% failure rate for head gaskets. Other than that problem, it was a great car. Looking online, Subaru officially says to replace the timing belt every 105,000 miles:
http://www.subaru.com/content/downloads/pdf/maintsched/1998SchedFed.pdf

Searching Subaru blogs/forums, I always find the same consistent results – every 105,000 miles:
http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/...t-replacement/
http://allwheeldriveauto.com/seattle-subaru-timing-belt-done-right/
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/66-problems-maintenance/142625-timing-belt-replace-interval.html

*****

Now on to Audi. This document which looks like its officially from Audi says 105,000 miles
http://www.vaglinks.com/Docs/Audi/MaintenanceSchedules/Audi_2002_Maintenance_Schedule.pdf

However, Audi Forums generate mixed results:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/159594-Timing-belt-change-interval

• 60-70k - 1st post
• 70k - 4th post
• 80k - 5th post
• 65k - 6th post

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...r-Timing-belts

• 95k - 1st post

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/250664-Any-3-0l-timing-belt-horror-stories-before-100k-interval

• 75k - 2nd post

Why is there no single consistent answer? Sorry for asking this since its been asked before, but I would really like to find a single definitive answer. Thanks

[jaydeff]

The service manual calls for a TB/WP service at 105k miles on the 3.0 but Audi also called for 100k (maybe 105k as well?) miles on the 1.8t IIRC and we all know how that turned out with many belts and water pumps failing before then. It should probably be done around every 75k miles like the 1.8t just to be safe.

[blitz2190]

can't give you the end all answer and I'm sure someone will have a different one but I've done mine every 60K on every car I've owned and never had a TB issue on any car.

[rollerton]

Confusion might come from the fact that the dealers have different 'opinions' and that Audi has a different interval for the timing belt and components and the water pump. I think officially they had said the water pump should be replaced at 85k and the timing belt at 105k. But nobody in the world has ever gone 85k miles replaced the water pump and NOT done the timing belt.
My basic rule of thumb has always been roughly 85k miles for the whole service for all VAG interference engines. You can go 90k or 95k..or longer. But past that you're kinda running on chance / odds that every single part will last- since it only takes failure of ONE part / idler/tensioner/water pump to wreck the engine.

[Charles.waite]

I believe as failures began happening, Audi revised the intervals, so you get different numbers in the manuals for different year cars.

Best bet? Google 2002 a4 service interval. Get the PDF straight from Audi.

Then subtract 30% from their official interval and go with that, haha.

Also, when buying a used car that is above the timing interval, I would frankly change it, whether I know its been done or not. Peace of mind, is well worth the $300 in parts.

[Knives1010]

I believe as failures began happening, Audi revised the intervals, so you get different numbers in the manuals for different year cars.

Best bet? Google 2002 a4 service interval. Get the PDF straight from Audi.

Then subtract 30% from their official interval and go with that, haha.

Also, when buying a used car that is above the timing interval, I would frankly change it, whether I know its been done or not. Peace of mind, is well worth the $300 in parts.

Listen to this!!!!!

As Charles knows, my water pump just failed while I was doing 40 mph down the road. It sheared all the timing belts teeth off and I now have a paper weight that I'm in debt to. I'm in the midst of having an AWM engine head machined so that I can put that on the car. I got that AWM head for free from a member here/friend, I'm currently in over $950.00 and that's considering I got the head for free, a normally $500-$650 part. My current AMB head most definitely has bent valves and will need some major work done in order to ever work on another car again. The bullet version is:

1) Spend the money and change your timing belt, ASAP. People on these forums will help you if you need an extra hand or often times even tools.
2) Do not believe the PO on anything they claim

[SJorge3442]

My friend bought my 3.0 (he bought it and I bought it from him a year later) from a dealer who swore the TB was down recently. When I dug in there, everything was 100% original. If my friend kept the car instead of selling it to me, the belt would have broke within the year. The day before changing my TB I was in a field doing doughnuts after a hayride. Had I known how bad the belt was, I wouldnt have been doing doughnuts.

[travrach]

AllData uses manufacturer specs, its says 105,000. But as other noted, unless you have records for that new car, just do it. And its always safe to do it early.

[Jet08]

I would think any 1.8T in a B6 would, regardless of mileage require a TB change as it is mileage or time based, I think it is 7 years.

[Knives1010]

I would think any 1.8T in a B6 would, regardless of mileage require a TB change as it is mileage or time based, I think it is 7 years.

While I do agree with you, he states he has a 3.0. Although I've never heard of the time based portion.

[road_tripper]

I did the first timing belt at 93K (just before my CPO warranty ran out).

I did the second timing belt at 203K.

I think the official number is every 105K.

Dealers will most likely quote this number if selling you a b6 3.0.

If you own one, and need the service, the dealer-recommended interval probably drops down to 75K (same as the 1.8T engine)

[imnuts]

The dealership I used to take my car too recommended 90k, and the shop I go to now thinks that 90k is about the longest one should wait for the engine. There have been significantly fewer issues with the timing belt (and engine overall) on the 3.0 than the 1.8T.

Sent from my Moto X

[4Rings6Stars]

I bought a 1.8 this summer which 150k miles on it. I have the records which show it was replaced at 95k miles in 2009. I'm planning to replace it next summer, but I will likely have a shop do it as I am not confident enough and don't have the toolls or time.

$300 in parts maybe, but I'm sure it will cost me a lot more than that to have a shop do it.

[walky_talky20]

The official answer will be in the manufacturer-published Maintenance Schedule, right?

Right. So let's look that up.

I've reproduced the section of interest below:



BAM. "Demystified".

So, officially, it is 75k for the belt only. But nobody in their right mind will replace just the belt. You do the whole bit. The confusion comes from Audi previously publishing 105k. Which was really pushing it. And then some belts failed early, there was even a class action lawsuit for 1.8T Passats and such. With 20 valves up top, all intererence, there is reason for people to be cautious when choosing an interval.

And apparently if you have an A8, those rear lid hinges *totally* need lubed, like all the time.

[Charles.waite]

The official answer will be in the manufacturer-published Maintenance Schedule, right?

Right. So let's look that up.

I've reproduced the section of interest below:



BAM. "Demystified".

So, officially, it is 75k for the belt only. But nobody in their right mind will replace just the belt. You do the whole bit. The confusion comes from Audi previously publishing 105k. Which was really pushing it. And then some belts failed early, there was even a class action lawsuit for 1.8T Passats and such. With 20 valves up top, all intererence, there is reason for people to be cautious when choosing an interval.

And apparently if you have an A8, those rear lid hinges *totally* need lubed, like all the time.

Those damn A8 rear lids are the worst jerry! The worst!

[jubei4769]

My 03 manual says 90k but they changed it to 75k


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[pfreyre]

Everyone, thank you very much for your responses. walky_talky20 thanks for digging up the information from the Audi site. It seems like 75,000 is a reasonable, yet also generous enough interval.

I also found this, which says the interval has been revised down from 105,000 to 75,000 for the 2.8 V6 for the B5 generation A4s: http://www.blauparts.com/audi_timing..._interval.html

[walky_talky20]

Also, we should not forget about age. Even if the Audi Maintenance Schedule completely ignores it.

A reasonable time interval for changing the the t-belt is 8 years or so. As with everything, this depends on many factors like extreme hot and cold, humidity, stuff leaking onto the belt, etc. So if you've only got 60k on your cream-puff 2004 USP, it's still 10 years old, and you should probably change it now. I've seen the teeth fall right off an OEM Audi belt at 75k and 11 years. You don't want to be that guy. That guy is poor now.

[4Rings6Stars]

Everyone, thank you very much for your responses. walky_talky20 thanks for digging up the information from the Audi site. It seems like 75,000 is a reasonable, yet also generous enough interval.

I also found this, which says the interval has been revised down from 105,000 to 75,000 for the 2.8 V6 for the B5 generation A4s: http://www.blauparts.com/audi_timing..._interval.html

I had a 2.8 B5 when I was 16. Guy I bought it from told me all maintenance was up to date and I was young, dumb and naive (only one of those has since changed...) and didn't even know what a timing belt was. Put about 10 miles on it while in high school then went away to college and let my sister drive it. Got a call from her one day: "I was driving and the car just lost all power then died..."

Ugh, I hadn't thought of that in a long time. I think I'll change the tb on my B6 asap...

[xhackerekx]

3.0l v6 timing belt this picture show how my belt look after 85k miles. sorry for crap iphone pic quality .

[DiertyEuroSpec]

Is that a pic of a rounded timing belt tooth??