1998 Audi A4 Timing Belt Failure

Hello,

The timing belt on my 98 Audi A4 just failed, at about 50 MPH. I haven't taken it to the dealer yet (Scared! They said possibly from $1000 to $4500 depending). Also contemplating doing the job on my own. I have the time, and the car can be out of commission for a few weeks.

Anyone else with a timing belt failure at that speed? Do you think the cylinder head/valves would have been damaged? When I turn the starter, it will not crank. Does that mean the engine has Seized?

Pl, Any info/advice will help!

Reply to
amitxn
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Unfortunately if the engine won't even turn over it is probably seized and you will probably need to have a new or rebuilt engine installed. However, have your car towed to an engine facility that you can trust so that it can be properly evaluated. I lost an engine that way myself a few years ago. The valves and the pistons ran into each other while on an interstate. Cause? Broken timing belt. How long did it take for the damage to occur? Just a couple of seconds. How much were the repairs? Over $2000.

Reply to
Papa

WHat engine have you got & what mileage are you at? If you are the original owner, under 100K, in the USA & have all your service records you may have a shout at getting VAG to cover it - but its a slim one.

At 50mph the engine would have been turning 2-3K revs in top - a lot more if you were in a lower gear. Sadly you've bent a load of valves. If you are unlucky & they got hit hard enough its not unusual for them to get bent into the cylinder walls. Minimum damage is the valves, maximum is Valves, pistons and the cylinder walls - hence the wide range of cost to fix. They won't know till they get the head off.

Might be an idea to start looking for a complete replacement motor - might be less expensive just to do a complete transplant - if its any more than just valve damage you're going to have to remove the whole thing anyway. Unless you are an experienced engine builder & with reasonable facilities available I wouldn't be inclined to tackle a rebuild.

I.

I.

Reply to
Iain Miller

What?! The cam lift on these engines is about 0.4". It's mighty hard to imagine that they could extend far enough past the combustion chamber and into the cylinder to get bent into the cylinder walls. Are you certain about this?

Reply to
Brian Running

It doesn't matter what speed the t-belt broke you got bent valves. So how many miles are on your car? That said remove the head and find a "good" machne shop to replace the valves and maybe the lifters. I have not seen any other damage in a long time more that just redoing the head. As for the engine not turning are you sure you didn't have a siezure from the sludge issue? Pull the valve cover, take a picture and send it my way.

Reply to
Woodchuck

Depends on the engine I think but my local VAG specialist who's had to rebuild a number of different VAG engines (diesels included) over the last year or two because of cambelt or cambelt tensioner failures told me he's seen this. The extent of the damage varies but its never cheap.

I.

Reply to
Iain Miller

Its the 1.8 Turbo. 82K Miles. The maintenance manual says change the belt at 90k Miles. I even have 7 year 100K warranty with a warranty company, so I will pursue that first.

I got it towed into the shop today - they'll evaluate the damage and give me a call.

Thanks for the info!

Reply to
amitxn

Does it say anything about how many years you can go if you don't exceed 90K miles in a certain amount of time...

Reply to
Rob Guenther

That's odd the T-Belt change interval on 98 1.8Ts is 80K in Europe AFAIK - at least it is on my 98 Passat 1.8T. No matter, as long as you are inside the interval AND the thing has been "Inspected" in line with the scheduled maintenance at 60K (or whatever it is) you should have a case.

Chances are it's the tensioner that let go - not that it matters - the effect willl be the same as a snapped belt.

Good luck

I.

Reply to
Iain Miller

Turns out it did ruin all the valves. Brand New Cylinder head required. Cost? 5,200 USD. The good new is that its all covered by my Extended warrany co. Thank you all!

Reply to
amitxn

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