Timing belt tensioner failures... 1.8T, possibly 2.8 12valve as well?
Richard Quinlan
richq at charter.net
Thu Oct 26 19:19:42 EDT 2000
My timing belt tensioner broke on my A4 at 64,000 miles. I called AoA to
request assistance, since their part was defective. They have not only
declined, but won't help get my car back home to me so I can fix it! (Audi
told me I HAD to get the car to the dealer).
I am now beginning a class-action suit against Audi because of this: They
(Audi) are aware that they are making defective parts. The control arm
bushings are a perfect example of this. They refuse to accept responsibility
for this. Here's my case:
1: Part has been re-designed to eliminate the ball-and-socket cap that
connects the tensioner to the tensioner pulley. This is what broke on my
car, and is NOT an uncommon problem according to a friend of mine who is an
Audi Tech.
2: There is a kit labeled "Timing belt tensioner repair kit" that includes a
new timing belt, tensioner, and pulley, that is stocked by Clair. Funny,
isn't it.
3: Audi does not call for a timing belt change until 97,500 miles on the
'97's. Some newer cars are at 120,000 miles between changes! I'm at
64,000.
4: I recall numerous postings from those who have broken engine parts due to
this failure, all at less than 97,500 miles.
I would like to take this off-forum, and to e-mail me direct
(richq at charter.net)about this, with "timing belt" in the subject line. Once
I have enough cases of this, I will find a lawyer, and we will begin the
process. I am tired of having Audi walk all over us when they KNOW of the
problem!
If you don't want to participate, but have had your tensioner break, please
e-mail me anyway, so I can add another car to the list for stats, but I
promise your name will not be used.
Feel free to FWD this to anyone you know who has had this problem. I’m also
sending this to the 12v list as the 2 cars may indeed use the same
tensioner.
Thanks in advance,
Rich Quinlan
'98 Honda VFR800FI in '00 Tahiti Blue Pearl- SOLD
'97 Audi A4 1.8tqms in Pearl - More mods than you can shake a wastegate rod
at
"Forget world peace - Visualize using your TURN SIGNAL"
http://home.att.net/~richquinlan - Quinland - my Audi page
<http://home.att.net/~richquinlan>
http://home.att.net/~richquinlan/vfr - The VFR page
<http://home.att.net/~richquinlan/vfr>
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