Comments: 1-15, 16-20
The timing belt tensioner failed at 75,000. Service interval for replacement is 105,000.
I have enjoyed driving the car. It runs and drives well.
The failure of the timing belt tensioned is a major disappointment. It happened well in advance of the stated replacement interval. On-line research has shown that the timing belt tensioned failure prior to the stated replacement interval is or is becoming a chronic problem for pre-1999 1.8T engines.
Although a redesigned replacement part has been introduced, Audi has not acknowledged any problem with the original part nor have they issued any technical service bulletins recommending early replacement.
The flat-out refusal by Audi to claim any responsibility for the defect and damage caused by it is making me think long and hard about whether or not I want to by another Audi/VW product. As much as I enjoy driving their cars I am really disgusted with their lack of responsibility towards this problem.
I have a '98 Audi A4 1.8T. The timing belt failed at 88,100 miles (2,000 miles short of the replacement mileage in the manual)resulting in severe damage to the valves. Also, 2 pistons were damaged such that they mark the cylinder walls when the crank is rotated. Audi will not assume any responsibility. Although the body is in excellent condition, the repair costs (engine replacement) are in excess of what I can sell the car for. As such, it has been reduced to salvage value.
Is this problem with the timing belt and tensioner the same in the VW Passat?
I have a 1998 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T with 62000 miles and the tensioner / timing belt just failed, resulting in severe damage to the valves... I'm told I need a new engine.
Here's another victim - Audi 1.8T, 1998, timing belt broke at 88055. According to Audi Service the engine suffered severe damage and needs replacement ($7500) or at least a new cylinder head ($5500). Audi USA refuses to take responsibility even though the incident happened well before the recommended service interval. So far I have tracked down about 50 other Audi owners that have had the same problem and I'm considering taking this into the next round. Interestingly Mazda issued a recall in a similar case - obviously Audi did not consider this an important enough problem...
I had the unfortunate experience to be driving 70 mph when my timing belt ran out of time in my 1998 Audi A4 T... at 85,100 miles.
Ouch!!! En route to Portland, OR from southern California, I had a before trip check-up and specifically asked about my timing belts integrity (this was the second time I had inquired about the time to change out). I was told that the recommended change out was 105,000 miles... twice (stating they checked with manufacturer). $4,000 later my car is running beautifully... as it should... but I am still stunned from the setback. The shop that did repairs relayed to me that I could appeal to Audi for potential replacement of moneys related to the recommended miles... that this is not unheard of. Now after finding this posting I am considering if I am I wasting my time trying to pursue this reimbursement?
I'm another victim of the Audi A4 timing belt failure. At 83,00 miles the belt failed resulting in damaged valves and a $4,000+ repair bill. Audi is refusing to take any responsibility for the problem. I am taking my dealer to small claims court. Audi is truly pathetic: using this defect as an apparent source of repair revenue.
I too am a victim of the timing belt failure at 82,000 miles. I have followed Audi's recommended maintenance schedule exactly as it suggests. The recommended time frame is to change the timing belt is 90,000 miles, my car has 82,000. How is the average consumer to know that the failure of a timing belt can cause subsequent engine damage in the $4,000+ range, especially since the belt failed before Audi recommended changing it? Audi refuses to extend any support or assume responsibility for this clearly defective condition. Interestingly enough, Audi customer service was wonderful UNTIL my car went off of warranty. I will never buy an Audi again. If anyone has any tips on how to pursue recouping the costs of repairing my engine, please share (BBB, legal avenues, class action, etc?).
I have just found myself among the ranks of the Audi Unhappy. At my last service +/-73K the Service Manger informed me that I should think about scheduling a timing belt replacement as he has had several break at about 75K. I figured I get it done at my next service. OUCH. The car just turned 77K and the belt went.
The Service Manager took the car this morning and said "I told you" and walked away with a +$4,000 smile. I was informed that if the problem was due to a faulty tensioner then there would be some compensation. How much comp was unclear.
Me too. The timing belt on my 98 A4 went at approx 65K miles. I was going approx 65 MPH and thus spent $3500 on repairs. The recommendation in the manual was that the timing belt be changed at 90K miles. I've had numerous other issues and expensive repairs since. Now, just this morning, the car shook like it was in an earthquake when I went to start it (it has been towed to a repair shop where it is currently being diagnosed). I couldn't be more frustrated with Audi. If anyone is successful in pursuing a claim from Audi, please share your tale.
I too have found myself in the Timing Tensioner group. The sad part of my story is my A4 1.8t only has 85,000 kilometers (about 50k miles) At my last oil service the VM Service personnel informed me that I should think about scheduling a timing belt replacement as they have had several break at about long before the scheduled replacement. I thought, how rediculous they just want my money early.
I think it is time for ALL Audi owners to band together and start a class action against Audi for this faulty part - which by the way has since been updated. Audi, of course does not take any responsibility - they leave that up to the working people that pay their salaries. Once again the little guy gets the shaft.
I have a 1999, Audi A4. The timing belt broke at 65000 miles. Now I need to get a whole new engine due to the fact that the pistons and valves are damaged. I'm told this will set me back about 5,000 dollars.
Should Audi be responsible for making defective timing belts, when it recommends changing the timing belts at around 90.000 miles?
I joined the ranks of owners with timing belt tensioner failures when approx 25,000 miles after replacing the belt and tensioner the new tensioner failed resulting in $3,500 in damage to my 1999 Passat 1.8T. I am furious -- great car, but VW's unwillingness to accept responsibility for the faulty part is outrageous. I was really steamed when my mechanic informed me that new tensioners have a different part number than the originals, meaning VW has made some change to the part... in my mind a tacit admission to a problem. Unless VW does the right thing, I am unwilling to risk buying another of their otherwise great cars. And if VW is listening, please note that when people ask me about my car I do tell them it is great, except for the $3,500 in engine work, which usually kills their interest in buying one immediately.
I have joined the Audi club with a timing failure on my 1998 A4 1.8T engine, 64K miles. The recommended replacement on the manual is 90K miles. Audi outright refused to take any responsibility of the failure. The dealership recommends it be replaced at 60K miles. Why different than the manual? They had no answer for that. Damages exceeded $5K, which I had to cover. I am sure sales for Valves, tensioners and exhaust manifolds and multitudes of other damaged equipment must be steady business for Audi. This will be my first and last Audi vehicle as soon as I can get rid of it.
Did anyone have the water pump replaced at the same time the timing belt replacement was being performed?
April 1, 2005.
Yesterday I was driving and loving my well maintained 1999 Audi A4 1.8 Turbo, today I am in sock and disappointed in Audi. My A4 has 86,295 miles, while I was driving it the timing belt tension rod malfunctioned and as a result my vehicle incurred substantial damage at a substantial cost!!! Audi's response is along the lines of "not our problem" - even though they themselves do not recommend a timing belt change until 90K-105k miles. I have noticed many Audi owners are experiencing this same malfunction. I have contacted the National Highway and Traffic Administration to file a safety complaint (hopefully they will be able to encourage Audi USA to accept responsibility for the safety hazard this defective part causes), I would encourage all of you with the same problem to do the same - the phone number is 1-800-424-9393.
I have a 1999 Passat 1.8l turbo and had my timing belt tensioner went out, which resulted in $3700 in repair, new timing belt, new head cylinder, and 10 valves. What a joke! Then the dealership didn't change the oil and now they tell me I need a new oil pump- another $800!
Anyone know who to contact to have this situation solved!!??