A4 2.5TDi Cam Belt Broken

[duffyb]

Hi,

The belt on my 2001 A4 V6 2.5 TDi broke on Saturday. Car is currently with main dealer in Glasgow who say belt should have been changed at 4 years although it has only done 54K.
Any tips on the following:
1. Suggestions as to good independant in Glagow area to repair.
2. Likely outcome on this engine (V6 2.5 Tdi) (valves, cam etc.)
3. Gossip on anyone who got anything from Audi since mileage low for this fault. (Car dealer who sold me car three months ago asked when belt was due to be changed and was told 80K !!)
4. Any hints on minimising repair costs if it is major repair.

Brian

[Dave Avant]

1. I don't know the area.
2. Probably bent valves and guides, depends on revs etc About £1200+ amount of work, probably more as its a V6 and has 2 heads and gear.
3. Unfortunately you won't get anything from Audi as the mileage AND years are specified so a 25 year old car with a snapped belt at 30,000 miles doesn't come back expecting free repair. The belt has a life and mileage expectancy thus the 4 years or 80K miles which ever occurs first, in your case the 4 years, but it did last about 3 years extra. I'm sure the dealer asked, maybe he is trying to cover himself.
4. It is normally a major repair as half the engine needs to taken apart with a head strip and if you're unluck a bottom end rebuild as its been know for the valves to be strong and bend the conrods.

What warranty did you get with the car? But unfortunately I think you'll be on your own as its a maintenance problem which lies with the owner.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

Can't help with 1 and 2.

Dave is spot on with point three - the rubber in the belt deteriorates over time, which is why the 4-year time limit is absolutely crucial.

Dave's answer to q4 is also close, a top-end rebuild would be the norm, but on a diesel, I doubt the rods would be bent - they are usually much stronger than petrol-engined rods.

For minimising repair costs, take it away from the main *******, and find a good VAG independent - try these http://www.a4audi.co.uk/ - I have no connection or experience though!

Rgds

[architectboy]

There has been at least one big court case in the US concerning timing belts failing before the handbook-advised changing mileage:
http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=185&did=1247
http://www.greatbrook.com/Personal/a...iming_belt.htm

[alfapseud]

Cambelts snappimg occupy a considerable proportion of my intrusive thoughts each day.....

As for servicing I've had my belts done by a small garage where the owner has had 5 cylinders and, more recently tdis for years and one of the staff had a 2.5 tdi quattro

A full belt change inc rollers was under 400 which was done @ 81000 includimg the extra belts and tension rollers..... Audi -£700?

There was also a gaage who claimed to be vw audi specialist and they collected old scrappers for old bits at their premises beside the antiques place at the tall ship in Finnieston. The antique place burnt down and its all raod works there.They were called Donaldson's or Donaldson and moved away but still within glasgow. Worth looking up in book. Or phone Eurocarparts / Gordon's and see where they deliver bits now...

Only used them once as they had a scrap 100 and I needed new window winders to replace jammed electric ones so they did a supply and fit of two manual rear winders for £100 which was a bit high but ok. Seemed a busy garage


I'm facing a similar problem in that I am after an a4 1.8 with 42 miles but 8 years old...change the belts/ Honest John (website ) says so
ss

[avhation]

I looked into the question of cambelt mileage life on the 2.5TDI recently using ELSAWIN and concluded that it was 120000 km (say 75000 miles), and that unlike many other VW models the tensioning roller does not need to be replaced unless it is showing signs of wear when the belt is replaced. Nowhere is a calendar life specified in ELSAWIN (or indeed my vehicle's handbook). It is too easy for a dealer to drum up trade by "recommending" more frequent work than VW specifies.

[lennymfo]

Duffy, have you had it sorted yet? You may want to try using A4 Audi who is considerably cheaper than Glasgow Audi. Look at this thread for price comparisons https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...ead.php?t=8343 and his website here http://www.a4audi.co.uk/index.php. FYI Andy who owns told me that if the belt goes on the V6 it will mean a new engine. I too have a 2.5 V6 tdi and had the timing belt replaced for £290. Lenny

[onzarob]

I looked into the question of cambelt mileage life on the 2.5TDI recently using ELSAWIN and concluded that it was 120000 km (say 75000 miles), and that unlike many other VW models the tensioning roller does not need to be replaced unless it is showing signs of wear when the belt is replaced. Nowhere is a calendar life specified in ELSAWIN (or indeed my vehicle's handbook). It is too easy for a dealer to drum up trade by "recommending" more frequent work than VW specifies.

The 4 years is correct and recommendation by VW not the dealers, for the price of a belt and labour would you chance a rebuild!!!

[avhation]

The quote from Kieth Garages Aylesbury (VW) is £881.37. So the running cost of a VW 2.5TDI cambelt, if one accepts the 4 year recommendation, is getting on for £5 per week which is outrageous, especially when it is not mentioned in any sales/maintenance literature available to potential owners when weighing up the pros and cons of purchase. I would be interested to know where the 4 year life is specified by VW and whether this is advertised also for modern equivalent cars. My next car will have a timing chain. I feel a letter to VW is coming on - does anyone know of a sensible person to write to?

[onzarob]

Funny you should mention timming chains, they seem to be making a comeback, including VW.

VW are not the only manufacturer to change there recommendations for timing belt changes, I know Fiat/Alfa have halve all there milage rcomendation and time intervals. some of there car are down to 30k before a change

I think they just had to many warrantyclaims for broken cambelts, so the obvous thing was to shorten the recommended life. But i agree with the amount the dealers charge to change them are outragous.