Maddog

If one can see timing belt, can one inspect to see if it needs to be changed with naked eye?

WYSIWYG

yep

Silver Streakin'

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wi_97_A4

Replace it before it breaks, I had to replace my entire engine at 62000 miles... Audi paid for half, but it still cost me $4500...

Donovan

ouch!! full cost was $9,000 !!!!!!

kam1200

Youd have to look at everything and most likely you wouldnt see any sign of warning.

Aside from the outer area of the belt itself., there are also teeth that can break then will cause the belt to slip, bending a few valves just as if the belt had snapped. Your car will shut off. Then when you of course attempt to start your engine again, the pistons will move up, the valves will move down (un-aligned of course)and hit each other and BAM! Vent valves again. Not a good situation to be in, Ive been it it before. Trust me, fix it before its broken.

The belt just snaps without warning. But if you really really reallly wanted to inspect your belt. You could: Grab a magnifing glass and visually check the outer areas of the belt, then both sides, then inspect each indivual tooth, inspect the inner side of the belt, and the portion of the belt that is wrapped around spockets.

Then you'd have to check the sprockets and your water pump and any other other related parts. Then after all that checking you could STILL snap the belt from water pump failure or just plain old bad luck.

Best bet is to replace it as soon as you have some time and extra money before the 80K mark. Sooner the better.

BostonBrian

Rubber looks brittle, cracks, etc.

Maddog

replaced, do you think?