<------------------ Noob again.
Hey guys got another question for you..
I was reading the forums.....and basically got freaked out
at the idea of having a bad timing belt go *snap*...
In order to avoid this im thinking of getting this service done before
even doing the DV's TBB or Fhose......
I got his car with 100k and dont know its timing belt situation.
As I was looking for getting parts like timing belt and water pump.
I found that Vast Performance has a 60k service kit for 375$......

http://vastperformance.com/products/engine.php <----------at the lower part of the page.

what do you guys think...this a good deal, bad deal is there something better.
and as far as doing it myself...... i dont have access to a cam lock...or the tools for the job.
So i will prolly be huntin for a good mechanic.... i live in cali... west covina, 15 min from L.A.
if anyone knows a good one out here..
thanks in advance fellas......

 

I think ECS has the kit for a little cheaper: http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/...ategory=Engine (scroll to the bottom)

 

I think that you might find mechanics a little annoyed if you are bringing them your own parts, becuase A they make money on the parts and B if anythign goes wrong they are in a tough situation, becuase they cant guarantee your parts. Just letting you know, but if they are totally cool with it go for it.

Also, get that belt done right away if it hasn't been done!!!

 

Find a shop before you purchase anything.

Just a word of advice, if you supply your own parts, the shop will not warrety anything. If you purchase the parts from them, you will be covered.

It's worth the 10-15% the shop will charge. If there is a problem with customer supplied parts you will get charged over for any problems with the parts. If one brakes, or is bad out of the box, you will have to pay for the labor twice. Not all parts are created equal, Vast uses OEM parts, where as ECS uses aftermarktet.

 

Thanks for all the great responses.... Now after reading I think i will find a
good mechanic, Now ...... does it have to be one of them high priced AUDI mechanichs
or will someone with just knowledge of AUDI maintanance work...
I asked one of the Local shops ..they quoted me 1100 .... does that sound about right
to you guys...and theyre not even AUDI specialists.

 

I would call you local audi dealer and see if they by chance did the tb before you bought the car. Then call all the local german car specialists and give them the vin and see if they did it. Thats how i learned mine was done at 84k by the dealer. I was getting ready to do mine but checked first and am glad I did.

 

1-It's okay to have the work done at an independent shop, just make sure they are experienced Audi mechanics and have done the work before. Ask for a reference. Call the Better Business Bureau. Etc. There was a $50/hr difference between a dealer in Farmington Hills MI and my local guy in Holland MI.

2-Everything said above about the shop warranting parts is true. My guy agreed to warranty his labor (work), but not the parts. I ended up buying a kit from Blauparts but if I had it to do over, I would have let the shop supply them. I probably only saved 10%. Fortunately, it's been 6k miles with no problems. Whatever you get, make sure the water pump impeller is metal and you replace all the tensioners. I am partial to German manufactured parts over Chinese, even if I have to pay a little more. If I recall, I was billed six (6) hours labor to do the timing belt, tensioners, water pump, serpentine, etc. I think that is the shop rate.

3-If the dealer won't provide the information for free, ask if they will provide a complete service history if you bring the car in for something simple like an oil change. Just be prepared to pay an exorbitant price to get the oil (and it should be synthetic) from them. They also tend to check it out looking for extra work, so you would find out if anything else is wrong. This assumes that they know what they are doing.

 

ahhh...Jeffla an PPgoal thanks for the advise. I will definetly call some dealers and german shops...great idea!!.. Maybe it was already done. Hopefully I can find its history...
I f I cannot I will find a trustworhty mechanic as advised by ppgoal.
You know guys...i cant emphesize how great all this info has been... 3
days and Ive learned so much....if not for you guys, I would of bought some e-bay
intake by now and prolly had a muffler shop make me straight pipes.
i'd be doing donuts right now.......snaping my timing belt...
thanks a whole ton....
I will be asking a whole lotta questions still...
hope you guys dont get fed up... :-)