Amulet180TTQ

Dumb question; when should the timing belt be replaced? my car has 45,xxx miles on it and if I ever get it back from the body shop I was thinking about having it replaced.

IMiIKo

Many would suggest at 60K to have that done w/ the H20 pump.

TTahoe

I agree. Got mine done @ the 60k service.

GorTT

$650 for that work, or $4k+ if you push your luck and lose.

bubba j

There's one in the shop with 51k and a broken belt, $7k in damage.

I found a local shop that will replace the belt and tensioners for $500.

SparTTan

so it probably could have gone a little longer, but after hearing all the stories of broken belts and ruined engines, I like the peace of mind.

FWIW, the Audi maintenance schedule lists it to be replaced at 105K miles, which is fcking ridiculous and IMO another way for Audi to gouge you when you have to shell out $5000 for major engine damage when the belt breaks at 60K miles.

YosemyTT

The tensioner stops holding charge (gas cylinder) and causes the belt to get loose. This leads to the teeth on the belt getting stripped. I changed mine at 60K and the belt looked fine. If you're going to change the tensioner you might as well change the belt and water pumpt since you're already in there.