expensive audi belt change!

gowger

Hi there,

I have a 02 2.5 v6 tdi audi a4 which is due a belt change. It's a pricey job, €1000 if you go to the dealer. I might be able to get this down to 700 or 800 by shopping around but I found out that they change the belt tensioner and the water pump at the same time due to the labour costs. basically the rad and the headlights have to come out to get at the belt and those parts. This sounds a tad excessive, and a bit of a racket. I've found that audi have pretty high maintenance costs for sometimes silly reasons.

I was wondering if anyone can quote me some mileages they've got from audi water pumps or tensioners to see if I can put this off for a while. I think it's probably worth putting off the pump but not the tensioner as the belt would probably be eaten by a failed tensioner. I saw this happen before (not mine) on a 1.9.

Any opinions?

Heroditas

Any opinions? Yes, lots!
The water pump has an average lifespan similar to the timing belt, hence why they're done at the same time - 60,000 miles
The water pump and impeller are in behind the timing belt so to change the pump, the belt must be taken off - hence why they're done at the same time.
In the Audis, it's very awkward to get into the timing belt and the front of the car has to be taken off.
You're looking at about 6 hours minimum to get the job done.
Timing belt and water pump kit costs feck all - less than €200. You're paying for the labour.

You should NEVER skimp on stuff like the tensioners.
My water pump and impeller broke earlier this year in my A4. As a result the engine overheated and it pulled in. It turns out that the timing belt was about to snap. It was in a very bad way when they took it out.
I got it done by my local guy - he cost €800 - quite pricey but he's an ace mechanic. It was done at 70,000 miles. I'm lucky my car wasn't ruined.


Walsh Motors in Belfast will quote you less than £400 to do your timing belt

Yakult

^sumed it all up basicly

mickdw

Its not a huge job removong the front of the Audi for timing belt renewal. They are designed to be easily moved and on most models & all rad hoses etc are long enough to just leave them connected and slide the whole assembly straight out. The idea of the front coming off is to make the job easier, not turn it into a wallet buster. The main dealers are scandalous though so shop around (in the north too).
Be sure to do the water pump and tensioners etc.

Tropheus

I have an '03 allroad with the same engine. A Dublin based dealer charged me €1,200 for the full job including water pump. Expensive!

The car is approaching 120k miles so will be due one in the next year. It will be going to a good local mechanic next time and probably cost me half that.

As has been said, you don't screw around when it comes ot anything timing belt or water pump related. If either fail, you'll be out a lot more than the maintenance cost.

PaulKK

I got my tdi passat done the other day. I believe the dealer cost is up around the 800 mark for it but i got it done in my local indy garage for 380. Belt, tensioners, fan belt and water pump.

As far as I know, you get a kit with the belt and tensioners in it, and you buy your water pump separately.

Deffo not something to skimp on, I would advise you to ring around and get some quotes off independents.

Moanin

As already mentioned try Walsh Motors in Belfast or any ot the main Dealers in Northern Ireland

Charismatic

Best thing to do is buy all the stuff yourself. You should be able to buy the timing belt kit for 180 euro. The other messages are correct about the pump and ripping procedue to get at the belt. The tensioner is the most important part. Do not get a spurious one.

Anyone got ideas on a good location to buy an ex lease A6 diesel??? Dublin preferrably but will travel

ash2020

I have a 05 2.0 TDI A4., garage wanted 1000+ for the same jobs.

Timing belt + tennsioners
Water belt
& labour.

Bought everything for the 200 mark from the same dealer and paid a lad 300 to fit everything. Plus if you buy oil and filters he will do that in the same 300 price. took half a day 9am - 3

half the price same work carried out as if i had it done by an underpaid apprentence in the main dealer..

i can give you the number., he's a very well very sound mechanic the only thing is he lives in Co. Longford..

ToxicPaddy

I have a 1.8T A6 and got the timing belt, waterpump and a complete service from JetStar out in Blackrock for under €1k.. might be worth checking out as they are a VAG shop...

Tox