AudiChan

My '97 A8Q has just reached 156K last week. It's been making some loud noise in the front end of the engine... that started about 2 weeks ago after a night of aggressive driving (I was trying to hurry home and might have driven a little too fast on some bumpy road). Not to say that it has something to do with it, but after that night, I heard noise and feel partial (25%) lost of power/feedback when pressing gas pedal lately.


So, I brought it to a trusty mechanic yesterday and they pointed out that it is generated from the timing belt, tensioner, and pulley. It could be either one or more of them. Without opening it, I can't say if it just needs to be "re-tensioned" or have the timing belt replaced.


I saw a wonderful DIY on audipages about TB replacement and front end removal... but I really want to know if it is possible not to go that far if I just want to open that grey/silver cover and inspect/retension them first.


Any help/comments would be highly appreciated! Thank you!


***** Misc. Ownership Info *****
I've owned my A8Q for a little over 10K miles, no record regarding TB replacement. Granted my car wasn't that responsive before this noise started, I wouldn't be suprise that the TB was never changed.

new fuel pump, new fuel filter, new spark plugs, brake fluid & ATF flushed & filled 1yr ago, oil change @ 5K interval (twice), recoded tranny to 00011

JimR

I can't imagine how, and I replaced my own timing belt.

A8CT

I agree, there's enough room on the facelift cars but the pre 2000's look too tight

AudiChan

Thank you for your input, gents.


Did you have to change the crank seal, idler pulley, and idler seal as well when you do the TB job?


I called a trusty reputable indy shop, they quoted me $1900 parts and labors for: water pump, thermostat, pulleys, tensioners, and TB. Does this sound right? I'm gonna make sure they include a radiator flush & fill (since it should be part of the process anyway).

JimR

I'd say no on the seals, yes on the pulleys.

AudiChan

Thank you again.

Things had just gone worst... While I was gone for a couple days, my wife drove it some more, got a CEL and experienced limp mode. I've just got back in town and scan some faulty code out of that CEL. It was more than I thought:


****************************
VAG-COM Version: Release 409.1-US
Control Module Part Number: 4D0 927 156 AN
Component and/or Version: AG5 01L 4.2l4V RdW D06
Software Coding: 00011
Work Shop Code: WSC 00000
****************************
01-ENGINE
****************************
18032 - MIL Request Signal Active (Check TCM for errors too!)
P1624 - 35-00 - -
****************************
02-Auto Trans
****************************
17125 - Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off.
P0741 - 35-00 - -

17119 - Gear 5 Incorrect Ratio
Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs
P0735 - 35-00 - Please Register/Activate

17116 - Gear 2 Incorrect Ratio
Shareware Version. To Decode all DTCs
P0732 - 35-00 - Please Register/Activate

17087 - Brake Switch B Circuit Malfunction
P0703 - 35-00 - -
****************************
03-ABS Brakes
****************************
1 Fault Found:
00668 - Supply Voltage Terminal 30
36-00 - Open Circuit
****************************


Today, I drove it to a mechanic's place and experience limp mode twice. Had to pull over and reset it just to keep driving.

But then, even the gears were not lid up, I felt like the car was in "safe mode" as it only start the car from a stand-still on 3rd gear... it would take a good 2-3 seconds to get the car rolling at a traffic light.

Anyway, I'm seeing a transmission rebuilt need in addition to Timing Belt job... most likely costing me over $4K on the lower end, easily $8K... I think I'm gonna have part my car out and get something smaller :<

Any idea of how much I can expect in parting my '97 A8 quattro?

JimR

I got my trans rebuilt for $4k. It's going great.