OMG Timing belt broke on my 2004 A8, catastrofic damage-WTF
12-02-2008, 07:20 AM
#1
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OMG Timing belt broke on my 2004 A8, catastrofic damage-WTF
I'm so pissed I don't know where to start. Sure I have 110,000 miles and know I'm due for a new belt but it didn't happen in time. I searched the archives and didn't find any D3 cars with a broken belt. It started last week when the check engine light came on, car ran ok but the VAG codes showed cam shaft sensor. I imediately parked the car and made an appt for the belt change. I had the car towed but when I went to start it to help it on the tow truck it wouldn't start. Apparently that damage was done right then. For Gods sake why do the make the most important part on the entire car out of rubber? Can't they use a chain like the W12 or a carbon fiber belt if the know it has a contact engine??? I just got the call so I don't have the heads off yet to determine the amount of damage but it doesn't sound good, he said the belt was broken when he opened it up. Excuse me while I scream!
12-02-2008, 11:05 AM
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Big risk to ignore the service interval on the TB.
Not to rub salt in the wound - I'm sorry this happened to you, but you were nearly 50% over the 75,000 mile mark.
Chances are the belt broke when the tensioner bearing failed, and the tensioner seized up. The belt is very strong, it seldom just breaks on it's own. That is why the recommended interval is mileage based - not time based.
Hopefully you have limted valvetrain damage. Those sodium-filled valves are not cheap!
One good thing that may come out of this (for others) is that the failure point is now known.
Good luck and keep us posted on what is discovered by the tech.
Chances are the belt broke when the tensioner bearing failed, and the tensioner seized up. The belt is very strong, it seldom just breaks on it's own. That is why the recommended interval is mileage based - not time based.
Hopefully you have limted valvetrain damage. Those sodium-filled valves are not cheap!
One good thing that may come out of this (for others) is that the failure point is now known.
Good luck and keep us posted on what is discovered by the tech.
12-02-2008, 02:35 PM
#7
AudiWorld Super User
Re: Why would you go longer than the recommended interval?
You would do it for the reason I am doing it. The stuff dreams are made of: money.
I'm at 99,500 miles. I don't do too much rough driving. Looks like it's time to re-inspect the belt.
I was hoping to get double the life (150k) but it looks like it's not gonna happen.
I'm at 99,500 miles. I don't do too much rough driving. Looks like it's time to re-inspect the belt.
I was hoping to get double the life (150k) but it looks like it's not gonna happen.
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12-02-2008, 03:09 PM
#9
They can fail in other ways
Another common timing belt failure mode is for the area where the rubber teeth meet the belt to start cracking over time (due to constant flexing + heat cycles). Eventually, with the weakened teeth the torque of the crankshaft shears them off. Next time around, if it gets that far, the crank rotates without moving the cams and it's game over.
Driving a car hard really has no bearing on the life of the timing belt. It's really all about the heat cycles.
Driving a car hard really has no bearing on the life of the timing belt. It's really all about the heat cycles.
12-02-2008, 04:12 PM
#10
I had a T-belt jumped on my wife's A6. I had to replace valves, head bolts, head gasket,
intake gasket and a few more things + the t-belt job. It happened at 110K. Water pump seized and that was enough to ruin the belt. BTW she never rev-ed it over 2500rpm.