Hi everyone.

Can someone advise me at what milage the cam belt should be changed on an A4 Quattro Avant on a 1998 plate and is it easy to do or does the front have to come off of the car.

Thank you in advance.

 

I don't remember exactly what the "manual" says about when the belt needs to be changed but IIRC Audi keeps changing the numbers. 100K miles at first, and now as low as 65K miles. Most will agree that because it is an interference engine, if at all in doubt change the belt. the failures that happen are not belt failures, per se, but failures of components (tensioner, water pump, idler roller) that cause the failure.

I've heard that it is possible to change the belt and components without removing the front end entirely, but you do have to move the lock carrier into service position. If you are doing that anyway it is just as easy to remove the front end. the job really isn't difficult, but it is incredibly time consuming (book says 6 hours, took me about 20)

 

The front is designed to come off for this service - definitely just remove it. The small amount of time you save will be more than eaten up by having less clear access to the engine.

 

you don't have to take the front all the way off. i did not want to unhook my ac/power steering/trans cooler hoses so i put the front in service position then pulled the drivers side out a bit further and rested the front end on a stand. I left the passenger side in the service position so as to not have to unhook any of the above mentioned items.
Works perfect.
Enjoy,
Jess

 

Hi everyone I really appreciate all your help and advice. i am now sure that I will purchase this car. I think I might be better off dropping it at a garage and let them do the work.

Will need to find clips to hold the exterior door trims on as they have rusted away.

Watch this space. I cant wait.

Andy

 

where you located Jiversurrey? I may be able to do the work for you if your local.
-jess

 

Hi Fowvaydriver. Im in Dorking surrey in the uk and you? Thank you for the offer.

 

Lol, pennsylvania is quite a ways away from the uk!

 

Very kind offer but i understand if you cant just pop over for a few hours.