I recently took my car to the Audi dealership to have them turn off the check engine light on my 2003 Audi A4 3.0. While they had the car, they did an inspection of my timing belt and said that it is "cracking" and that they highly recommend I replace it. My car has 59,000 miles, which is 45k ahead of when Audi recommends you replace the timing belt on my car (105,000). I since took my car to a shop that specializes on European cars, where I was told by a guy I liked there that replacing it so far ahead of when Audi themselves recommends would be rather ridiculous. He also did an inspection of the belt himself, and while he saw some wear, he didn't seem overly concerned about it, and said if it was his car he would keep driving on it - the problem is that his inspection got a small peak at the belt, and I am not sure if Audi was able to get a better angle at it.

So I am seeking advice from car mechanics or anyone who has had experience with A4 timing belts. I know my car has very low mileage for a 2003 car, so I am wondering if the timing belt just being old (9 years old) could have aged it prematurely to the recommended mileage replacement. I trust the guy at alternative shop more than I do the guys at the Audi dealer (obviously), but I am still worried to drive my car in fear of the timing belt cracking and my engine becoming worthless at the snap of a belt. Any insight you can provide is highly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Not exactly the same car, but similar situation - my '02 1.8T only had 62K miles when I bought it in late '09, and I ended up doing the T-belt at 71K miles sometime in 2010 because it was showing some cracks by then. My owner's manual says 105K too, but my understanding is that Audi has since revised that to 80K, and many on Audi/VW message boards recommend between 70K and 80K miles as the appropriate interval. Given that, you'd only be about 10K early, assuming the 3.0 goes by the same (or similar) replacement intervals as the 1.8T for the T-belt. The fact that it's 9 years old may well weigh into it, especially if you live somewhere with a wide swing of temperatures, which *could* accelerate wear on belts.

 

The logical part of my brain would be saying "It's only got 59k miles on it, there's no reason to replace it now", while the emotional part of my brain would be saying "yeah, but if it's 8 years old and has cracks in it, it could go at any time."

In other words, as Clint Eastwood would say "Do ya feel lucky, punk? Well, do ya?"

If it were me, I would have it replaced, if only for the piece of mind it would give you. That being said, I would certainly not let the dealership do it. They charge way too much. Whenever you do decide to do it, have the indie shop do it.

 

ill agree with everyone here-you are really low on miles, but the age is always a factor. i replaced mine last year (i also have an 03) due to cracking, and i had just about 70k on the clock. better be safe than sorry imo

 

You probably had some hack technician with low hours for the week looking for a boost.

Some SOB's will sell anything to make a buck. The advisors take their word for it. They make the rest of us look bad.

 

I have an 04 3.0L and I got it with about 95k miles on it. From what I researched everything said to change the timing belt at 70-80k. I babied the car until I could get around to changing it. When I did I was suprised at how bad the belt was. Cracked pretty bad and had some pieces along belt missing. I think 50k is a little early but it does have a lot of age.

This was with 101k on an 04


And did the timing belt change in my basement. Took about 4hrs.

 

In your basement?!

LOL, how on earth did you carry it down the stairs?


"Sorry kids, no TV watching in the family room today, Daddy has to bring the car in and change the timing belt".

 

Hahaha. My basement is my garage. And yea it kinda was "sorry kids no TV" since I had to make my 7yr old son help me with lining up all the cams to put new belt on.

 

I am right there. I took my 2003 A6 3.0L Q with 61K to my dealer to get the wiper blades replaced (turns out Audi has not released the rights to sell third party wiper blades... don't get me started), and they said I need to get the timing belt replaced. I took it to my normal mechanic, they one of the timing belt covers off, and they said the belt looked great. Should I replace it? Also, my regular mechanic has replaced 2.8L belts before, but said the 3.0L needs a special tool to lock the cams in place... extra $300 just for my repair. Can I rent this, or get it online cheaper?

 

I'm more inclined to believe the guy who says things are ok (IE you don't need to spend a bunch of money with me right now) than the guy who says OMG REPLACE IT NOW OR IT'LL EXPLODE. They both have financial motivation to sell you unnecessary service, but one of them isn't trying to. Seems pretty obvious who to trust.

I would just ask the independent guy to keep an eye on it whenever you take it in and replace it when he says it looks like it needs it or when the recommended interval comes around, whichever is sooner.