Finally, My First TB and WP are Done!!!

[Eric_R_Kissell at whirlpool.com]

Congratulations on the successful completion of your first timing belt!
This is a rite of passage into DIY Audi ownership.

I fall somewhere in between you (successful beginner) and the "eyes-closed"
crowd.

There are few things I find as satisfying as doing my own work. Many people
are shocked when I tell them the type of work I do to my car.  They ask,
"Aren't you afraid you did something wrong since you are not a professional
mechanic?"

I can only chuckle and reply, "No, because I took my time and did it right.
After all, it is my car and my family at risk."

If  did not feel competent, then by all means I would take my cars to a
"professional" mechanic. However, I have found too many cases over the
years where I discover a past repair which does not meet my standards that
was made by a professional mechanic hired by the previous owner of the car.
These repairs have ranged from "dangerous" through "botched" down to merely
"sloppy" but they all shake my confidence in some of the mechanics out
there.

This is not to slight good mechanics. They are out there too.

You are right on track now that you have realized that you can afford the
right tools when you consider the savings on the hourly work rate. The
right tools make each job easier and the probability of success is greater.
Having friends to help you through rough spots is also a good situation.

As a young man I suffered under a frustrating situation in that my father
chose to DIY most things but would not ante up for the right tools.  Of
course, this was good for me because now I some ability to "invent" the
right tools when I have the opportunity. Necessity is still a mother...

Congrats,
Eric Kissell
1991 200q 20v Avant, Koni Sports (yellow), eBay Surprise
1989 200q 10v Avant, Boge Turbogas, 1.8 Bar (qlcc)
1986 5000cstq Sedan, Bilsteins, 1.8 Bar (SJM)