rushrx

I live in Raleigh, NC and just found this forum and I am hoping for some help. I have 84K miles on my 1999 A8 and it has become a recent trouble car. I had the timing belt changed $$$$! Now the car whines at high RPM's and idles very rough with hesitiation at all speeds. Are these issues related to timing belt? I am taking it back in to the shop but want to be armed with correct info in case I get any push back. Thanks.

escapA8

<center><img src="http://www.mait.cz/Obrazky/chevfoto/Techron.jpg"></center><p>
I would try a cheap possible solution first:

Two bottles of Techron fuel injector cleaner on a full tank of gas. Drive it for 2-5 days and see if it goes away.

One of your fuel injectors may be clogged. If that's so: make sure to replace your fuel filter soon.

Maybe it's also time to replace your spark plugs?

How to replace spark plugs, go here:<ul><li><a href="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/sparkplug.html">http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/sparkplug.html</a</li></ul>

tozoM8

With one tooth off it will still start and run, but you will notice power loss and rough idle.

PaulW

Who did the repair? An indpendent or a dealer?

Did they use the required cam lock tools? If not, there is a very good chance that the timing is off.

I have done 4 timing belt jobs (including my own 3 times because I had the belt whine) and every time the car ran SIGNIFICANTLY smoother after the job.

The belt whine is most likely an improper tensioned belt.<ul><li><a href="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/enginemechanical/tbreplace0.html">Here's all you need to know about timing belt changes</a></li></ul>

rushrx

The mechanic looked at the timing belt that they just replaced. He said tension was fine and Cam timing was fine. He said if it was off by a tooth that the check engine light would come on. He cannot explain the rough idle and is checking other things.

He said the whining over 4K RPM's is indicative of a new timing belt/serp belt and should go away after 1K miles or so. He said this is normal.

Feeback please!?

rushrx

I am so glad I found this forum. After pushing the independent mechanic who did the work about both the cam locking and the tension, they are in the process of fixing it.

At first, out of ignorance not malice, they said it was not their fault. They said the tension was fine and it was not off by a tooth. I then presented the information I learned from all of you and then they started doing their own research. They had to buy the cam locking tools and have now found that it was off by half a tooth. They have also adjusted the tension as they realized it was off as well. They said it now runs silky smooth and has more power. They said the whine is better, however, they are reporting to me that it still has a slight whine at 5K rpm's.

Without this forum, I would have paid $1500 for a bad TB change. The result, however, is that this mechanic has improved his craft and I have received a fair service. Thank you to everyone.