> Actually, if you have the 1.8T, you did the right thing by replacing
> the belt at 60K. Because you have no idea if/when the belt will snap
> (a very expensive proposition), I believe the service advisor was
> doing his job to tell you it was wise to replace. There were some
> issues with the tensioner on the 2001 model.

Best yet.

Michele Mouton, running back to the pits after a third run up the hill
at Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Less than 200 miles on the belt and it gave way. Any idea what an S1
(Pikes Peak) engine rebuild costs?

But it was nine years old.

On the ur-quattros we recommend 45k miles or six years - which ever
first. If the belt goes at speed it's the exhaust valves that go
first - and they're made of unobtainium.

 

"Phil Payne" <phil@isham-research.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1193607306.740599.35180@z9g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
>> Actually, if you have the 1.8T, you did the right thing by replacing
>> the belt at 60K. Because you have no idea if/when the belt will snap
>> (a very expensive proposition), I believe the service advisor was
>> doing his job to tell you it was wise to replace. There were some
>> issues with the tensioner on the 2001 model.
>
> Best yet.
>
> Michele Mouton, running back to the pits after a third run up the hill
> at Goodwood Festival of Speed.
>
> Less than 200 miles on the belt and it gave way. Any idea what an S1
> (Pikes Peak) engine rebuild costs?
>
> But it was nine years old.
>
> On the ur-quattros we recommend 45k miles or six years - which ever
> first. If the belt goes at speed it's the exhaust valves that go
> first - and they're made of unobtainium.

Not really, they're sodium filled and run about $60 each. Not cheap, but
not "unobtanium."

 

"Phil Payne" <phil@isham-research.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1193607306.740599.35180@z9g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
>> Actually, if you have the 1.8T, you did the right thing by replacing
>> the belt at 60K. Because you have no idea if/when the belt will snap
>> (a very expensive proposition), I believe the service advisor was
>> doing his job to tell you it was wise to replace. There were some
>> issues with the tensioner on the 2001 model.
>
> Best yet.
>
> Michele Mouton, running back to the pits after a third run up the hill
> at Goodwood Festival of Speed.
>
> Less than 200 miles on the belt and it gave way. Any idea what an S1
> (Pikes Peak) engine rebuild costs?
>
> But it was nine years old.
>
> On the ur-quattros we recommend 45k miles or six years - which ever
> first. If the belt goes at speed it's the exhaust valves that go
> first - and they're made of unobtainium.

Not really, they're sodium filled and run about $60 each. Not cheap, but
not "unobtanium."

 

"Phil Payne" <phil@isham-research.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1193607306.740599.35180@z9g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
>> Actually, if you have the 1.8T, you did the right thing by replacing
>> the belt at 60K. Because you have no idea if/when the belt will snap
>> (a very expensive proposition), I believe the service advisor was
>> doing his job to tell you it was wise to replace. There were some
>> issues with the tensioner on the 2001 model.
>
> Best yet.
>
> Michele Mouton, running back to the pits after a third run up the hill
> at Goodwood Festival of Speed.
>
> Less than 200 miles on the belt and it gave way. Any idea what an S1
> (Pikes Peak) engine rebuild costs?
>
> But it was nine years old.
>
> On the ur-quattros we recommend 45k miles or six years - which ever
> first. If the belt goes at speed it's the exhaust valves that go
> first - and they're made of unobtainium.

Not really, they're sodium filled and run about $60 each. Not cheap, but
not "unobtanium."

 

"Phil Payne" <phil@isham-research.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1193607306.740599.35180@z9g2000hsf.googlegrou ps.com...
>> Actually, if you have the 1.8T, you did the right thing by replacing
>> the belt at 60K. Because you have no idea if/when the belt will snap
>> (a very expensive proposition), I believe the service advisor was
>> doing his job to tell you it was wise to replace. There were some
>> issues with the tensioner on the 2001 model.
>
> Best yet.
>
> Michele Mouton, running back to the pits after a third run up the hill
> at Goodwood Festival of Speed.
>
> Less than 200 miles on the belt and it gave way. Any idea what an S1
> (Pikes Peak) engine rebuild costs?
>
> But it was nine years old.
>
> On the ur-quattros we recommend 45k miles or six years - which ever
> first. If the belt goes at speed it's the exhaust valves that go
> first - and they're made of unobtainium.

Not really, they're sodium filled and run about $60 each. Not cheap, but
not "unobtanium."

 

On 2007-10-27, xcwork@gmail.com <xcwork@gmail.com> wrote:
> Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> service there especially when it is out of warranty.

The Audi dealer in Palo Alto isn't much better.
They wanted to chanrge me USD500+ to replace a broken hood cable.
Getting the hood open when the cable is broken, on a '93 90S is pretty
trivial if you can raise the car. They wanted to try and take the grill
off without opening the hood (wtf?) and all sorts of things.

 

On 2007-10-27, xcwork@gmail.com <xcwork@gmail.com> wrote:
> Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> service there especially when it is out of warranty.

The Audi dealer in Palo Alto isn't much better.
They wanted to chanrge me USD500+ to replace a broken hood cable.
Getting the hood open when the cable is broken, on a '93 90S is pretty
trivial if you can raise the car. They wanted to try and take the grill
off without opening the hood (wtf?) and all sorts of things.

 

On 2007-10-27, xcwork@gmail.com <xcwork@gmail.com> wrote:
> Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> service there especially when it is out of warranty.

The Audi dealer in Palo Alto isn't much better.
They wanted to chanrge me USD500+ to replace a broken hood cable.
Getting the hood open when the cable is broken, on a '93 90S is pretty
trivial if you can raise the car. They wanted to try and take the grill
off without opening the hood (wtf?) and all sorts of things.

 

On Oct 27, 12:56 am, xcw...@gmail.com wrote:
> Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.
> The service advisor David said it was normal wear and tear during my
> visit. When I approached him afterward, he changed his story and said
> it was oil on my belt. His lack of integrity was _unbearable_. I saw
> this behavior at the service advisor level and management level. I met
> with their service department manager and learned that this unethical
> business practice is one way for them to increase their profit.
>
> My advice to you is when they say "your car _need_ something", get a
> second professional opinion before placing your trust on them
> especially when your car is out of warranty.

It continually amazes me when people complain about getting ripped off
by a dealer. I mean, c'mon, it's a DEALER. They don't make a lot of
money selling new cars any more - they make their money on service and
used cars.

In your case, 60 - 80k miles is when you should replace the TB in ANY
car. It's much cheaper than a rebuild, as others have noted. But a TB
can be done anywhere, it's not rocket science. Doesn't have to be an
Audi specialist, even.

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA

 

On Oct 27, 12:56 am, xcw...@gmail.com wrote:
> Audi Steven Creek Service Department puts _its profit_ over many
> things including its integrity in giving you a fact based assessment
> of your vehicle. Please take _extra_ caution if you get your car
> service there especially when it is out of warranty.
>
> My misfortune this passed summer 2007 was I misplaced my trust and let
> them change my time belt at 60K miles. I later discovered I didn't
> need it till 80K miles. I could have SAVE $2K off my service bill.
> The service advisor David said it was normal wear and tear during my
> visit. When I approached him afterward, he changed his story and said
> it was oil on my belt. His lack of integrity was _unbearable_. I saw
> this behavior at the service advisor level and management level. I met
> with their service department manager and learned that this unethical
> business practice is one way for them to increase their profit.
>
> My advice to you is when they say "your car _need_ something", get a
> second professional opinion before placing your trust on them
> especially when your car is out of warranty.

It continually amazes me when people complain about getting ripped off
by a dealer. I mean, c'mon, it's a DEALER. They don't make a lot of
money selling new cars any more - they make their money on service and
used cars.

In your case, 60 - 80k miles is when you should replace the TB in ANY
car. It's much cheaper than a rebuild, as others have noted. But a TB
can be done anywhere, it's not rocket science. Doesn't have to be an
Audi specialist, even.

Dan D
'04 A4 1.8Tq MT-6
Central NJ USA