2003 Audi A6 timing belt service??

widgeon13 · 08-07-2006, 06:59 AM

My wife goes down to the local Audi dealer this morning for service and gets whatever done at 70,000 miles and service tech tells her she will need new timing belt during the next service, no biggie, except the frickin thing is $1700 for the part and another $300 for installation. Does this sound normal or are they being over cautious or worse yet taking advantage of a women customer.

I know, it's an expensive car and I shouldn't complain but that just seems a little steep for my taste.

I'm sure the part price is accurate but that is not high mileage in my mind for an expense of that nature. Car is a 2003 Avant.

They jerk her around every time she goes in there and they have this ***** at the service counter that is so ******* rude, I don't know why anyone goes back to have their car serviced other than there isn't another Audi dealer in 50 miles.

Think I'll try another dealer upstate NY. When the wife gets pissed off everybody suffers, now I'm pissed off as well.

Any advice other than sell and get another??

lendaddy · 08-07-2006, 07:12 AM

I think you mean $300 for the part and $1700 for installation. They remove the front clip to do it and it's pretty involved. I would have a private shop do it myself.

widgeon13 · 08-07-2006, 07:20 AM

That could be the situation, got the info from the wife when she returned and since the women at the billing desk was on the phone for an extended period and made her wait to pay and then was told they couldn't authorize credit card because of lightning damage to the computer, blah, blah, blah? She was smokin when she got home and usually doesn't get irritated like that.

I will definitely check on independent service shop.

lendaddy · 08-07-2006, 07:24 AM

Tim Hancock bought mine and I think he did it himself to double check my nephew who did it for me. You might want to check with him as to a realistic price.

Tim Hancock · 08-07-2006, 07:27 AM

Trust me, they are b@stards to work on as the whole front end including bumper and radiator needs to come off to gain acsess to the majority of components on the front of the engine!

widgeon13 · 08-07-2006, 07:50 AM

Thanks guys, it would be more tolerable if they didn't treat you like shlt when you walked through the door. It's all starting to make sense now. It's the dealer we got the car from (new) and we give them all the service work so it's not as though we have not supported them up to this point.

It's been a good car and the all wheel drive is great but I don't like to drive it myself as can't stand the fly by wire accelerator response. Been told there is no adjustment for that.

Perhaps the wife needs a new Chev Tahoe.

Jims5543 · 08-07-2006, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by widgeon13
That could be the situation, got the info from the wife when she returned and since the women at the billing desk was on the phone for an extended period and made her wait to pay and then was told they couldn't authorize credit card because of lightning damage to the computer, blah, blah, blah? She was smokin when she got home and usually doesn't get irritated like that.

I will definitely check on independent service shop.

Yup, sounds like a typical Audi service dept.

I have never seen my wife so infuriated as she has been at the Audi service desk. She is a legend there. Most of the dealership heard her yelling one day. They seem to take delight in dicking with you.

My 6 disk changer took a dump. We were supposed to get the CD's back. This was 4 months ago. Guess what?

asphaltgambler · 08-07-2006, 08:14 AM

Audi reccomends that @60K - There is an update that should include a new water pump, idler pulley and tensioner pulley. It is important that whoever does the replacement has the correct tools to hold the cam sprockets in place while the belt is off.

This deal is not for the inexperienced or first timers. I would check in your area for good independent VW/Audi shops that are familar with late model stuff.

nosmo_king · 08-07-2006, 09:52 AM

Do many other manufacturers recommend timing belt changes?
I'm thinking of picking up a used Audi or Subaru (the AWD is very helpful in these parts) but wouldn't be too happy w/ a timing belt change at 60K (...every 60K?)

Thx,
Nos

Moneyguy1 · 08-07-2006, 09:57 AM

I simply do not understand the industry fascination with fabric belts for timing purposes. Is the engine interference fit? Amazingly, Ford offers a 3 liter DOHC V-6 with TIMING CHAINS!! Go figure.

We have an older Passat VR6 and even that has a chain....

osidak · 08-07-2006, 10:01 AM

Subaru is every 105K miles

Tim Hancock · 08-07-2006, 10:09 AM

Another reason for me to dump the Audi for another BMW next time. BMW's do not have timing belts to fret over.

Audi builds a decent car. Unfortunately they have become just too difficult for the DIY type to work on. I know that all cars are becoming more and more complex, but the Audis are just ridiculous. I cannot even see my twin turbos from above OR below (the engine has to come out to replace the turbos. Same goes for the power steering rack.

asphaltgambler · 08-07-2006, 10:11 AM

Belt setups are much cheaper to design and manufacture and offer less noise than chains. Given the choice most manufacturers DID offer nothing but belts in years past.

But as consumers demand less $$-per-mile maintanence costs the only choice was to switch to chain setup to minimize the obvious big buck change out at 60K for most

nosmo_king · 08-07-2006, 10:16 AM

Quick Google search came up with:

Timing belt replacement guide by manufacturer

Quite an eye-opener...

-NK
(Thanks for all the responses!)

widgeon13 · 08-07-2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by asphaltgambler
Audi reccomends that @60K - There is an update that should include a new water pump, idler pulley and tensioner pulley.

This pisses me off even more now because they never mentioned anything about the other water pump, pulley and the rest. They have serviced the car since 60K and mentioned nothing that it is recommended to be done at 60K. Idiots

Where did you get the info on recommendation at 60K if I might ask? I'd like to show them something when I have it done if it's in print.

asphaltgambler · 08-07-2006, 01:29 PM

I used to work for Volkswagen a few years ago. They share the same platform, some of the engines, etc. The t-belt runs the waterpump. the pulley bearings have been updated.

They should be replacing all that at the same time because if the pump or pulley bearings fail (which they sometimes do) it takes the belt with it. When that happens valves hit the pistons. Bad scene

Look in your owners manual. It should give the interval there

widgeon13 · 08-07-2006, 01:34 PM

Thanks very much. I looked at the Gates recommendation and they say 105,000 miles for normal wear on a Gates belt, I'm at 72,000 now so have some time I would guess before meltdown. I will check owners manual though, should have done that already. Thanks again!

asphaltgambler · 08-07-2006, 01:36 PM

Look intervals that define "severe" and "normal" service. Severe conditions are conditions that most everyone drives today.

GothingNC · 08-07-2006, 02:17 PM

1.8 VW Turbo Motors have a 100k interval for the timing belt but there are many cases of the belts failing around 65,000 miles.

Usually tensioners are the culptit and the belt is not covered under warranty since it's a wear & tear item unless you can prove it was caused by a defective tensioner.

Also the water pumps have plastic impeller blades a=that somethime brek, seizes up the water pump, snaps the belt, then crunh time

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2698430

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2400394

GothingNC · 08-07-2006, 02:21 PM

Wait,

Doesn;t the A6 have a timing chain?