Good point. Most mechanics say it is a one day job. Most reasonable price I have found is ~ $1100 with cam seals/plugs and value cover gasket.

 

My 2000 2.7T just hit 90K and I am replacing the TB myself. I just ordered the TB kit from Blauparts.com and when you order that TB kit, you can rent the special TB tool kit for $38 from Blauparts. You can keep the tool kit for 7 days after they arrive and then another 2 days for ship them back, which should be plenty time for replacing the TB.

BTW, I am doing it this Saturday (July 24th), so if you can hold for a few more days, I can provide you with some more info.

 

Here in Minneapolis, a local indy does it for 900.00 everything included 2.8 engine. Timing belt that is. http://imolamotorsports.com/_root/in...member_id=9999

Sometimes you don't need the cam seals changed or the serp belt. For me, I had the cam seals and serp belt done a year earlier. So no need to repeat that procedure and pay twice for it. So 700.00 (current dealer promotion) + tensioner 100.00 = 800.00 or 900.00 local indy is all I would have to spend.

 

I am pretty sure I am going to replace the serp belt as well. The dealers price of TB job is quoted around $1600 in the MA/RI area. Most Indy shops are quoting around the that price, or slightly lower with one or two exceptions. Wish I could DIY, but I do not have the inclination (or the time to make a fool of myself).

 

[QUOTE=aspen79;1223202] I'm an Audi tech at a dealer and I think Without the proper special tools, you can't change the belt. If a shop says they can, run!
[QUOTE]



I can't let that slide. Many shops carry the cam lock bar, the crank holder is for rookies, the cam pulley puller is just a standard gear puller which doesn't need to be used if you've done it a few hundred times. Just saying..

 

After spending an hour or 2 on the phone with John, the owner of JA Autowerks in Allentown, NJ, I took a leap of faith on the wing of many others in this forumn and shipped the car in for a visit. This visit was not simple, TB, Valve Cover Gaskets, cam tenininsioner, rear diff fluid top off, turn signal stalk, oil change, coolant change, accesory belt tensioner replacement, spark plugs and a hazard relay replacement.

I rate the service as follows, 10 being best.
Professionalism 10, Trustworthiness 10, Pricing 10, Likeability 10, attention to detail 10, Delivers exactly on time and as commited 10.

Long story short, I have a 2000 A6 2.7T that needs alot of major PM work and alot of catching up from the other minor PM's. I drove 1.5 hours from East Philly because of how professional Johns references were. More importantly, John himself executed the sale flawlessly.

This is a great new shop, please give him a try and pass the experience along.
jaautowerks@gmail.com, 732.691.2335.

John is also an active member here in this forum and is located minuits from SeaSide Heights and Point Pleasant. While my car was there, my girlfriend sure did enjoy time on the beach and dinners in return for shutteling me back and forth from Philly. Keep this in mind when beggig for a ride!!