JOrtiz35

While coasting toward a red light I felt a power lose in my steering and then the battery light came on. I pulled over and popped the hood. I noticed some frayed material on the motor and realized my timing belt was broke.

Any idea what kind of damage I'm looking at?

lyleswk

More than likely valves and pistons. Gonna be expensive...

erik@ccprototype.com

Well lets hold on and back up for a moment. Did you have to remove any panels to see the frayed material? With the power steering going out then the battery light coming on, i am more inclined to believe that the serpentine belt is the belt that broke. Probably due to an idler pulley seizing or something of that nature. I have a 3.0L so i am not too well versed in the 1.8 but i thought it has a timing chain and thus also would not produce frayed material...

Just my 2c
-Erik

lyleswk

It does not have a chain; I have changed on both of the A4's I owned. But, you have a point. When he stated the timing belt was broken, I took it that he had diagnosed correctly.

OP, Where exactly is the broken belt? There are 2 belts:

1) The timing belt is under a cover, about an inch wide, and is "toothed" (ribs perpendicular to the belt path). It runs around the crank, cams, and water pump.
2) The serpentine belt is visible when you open the hood. It is about a half inch and is "ribbed" (grooves parallel with the belt path). It runs the accessories (steering pump, a/c, and alternator).

erik@ccprototype.com

lyle, thanks for the clarification of whether it had a chain or belt. I could have sworn i had read on here about 1.8s and having timing chain rattles but then again i only paid a small amount of attention to the 1.8 timing belt stuff as that didnt apply to me.

I am looking forward to hearing from OP, it almost sounds like he was able to drive it(motor running) when pulling over. If the timing belt broke, the motor stops running altogether and usually stops very suddenly.

-E

W261w261

Timing chain rattles apply in spades to the 4.2 in the S4. When you hear them, it means a tensioner is failing, the engine must come out, and 7-8k is about to disappear from your wallet.

On the 1.8,there is a chain that connects the two camshafts at the rear of the engine. Rattles there are no good either.

lyleswk

Got beat to the post by w261. Yeah, probably the cam adjuster...

JOrtiz35

It was definitely the timing belt behind the panel. The serpentine belt is visible when looking down at the motor.

Its in the shop as we speak. Gonna cost me about $2600. As long as the pistons are ok.

I believe the only thing that's not being replaced are the cams and pistons at this point.

Hypothesis was a failed tensioner wont have anymore info until this Friday.