Things to look for: 2001 A4

[Stephen Kormilo]

At 09:06 PM 19/01/04 -0500, quattro-request at audifans.com wrote:

>Subject: RE: Things to look for: 2001 A4
>
>DO IT EARLY- CHANGE THE TIMING BELT BEFORE 60k FOR THE FIRST
>INTERVAL. ALSO, CHECK THE TORQUE ON YOUR SPARKPLUGS!
>
>Audi did several redesigns on the belt tensioners on the Passat/A4
>1.8T, best to do this service early and update to the latest tensioner
>before failure gets you.

The car is a V6, so the above doesn't _really_ apply.  IIRC, the most 
common form of early timing belt failure on the V6 engine was due to water 
pump failure, which was usually preceded by water pump coolant leaks, and 
wasn't nearly as common as the tensioner failures on the early 1.8T 
engines.  Also, by the 2000 MY the 1.8T's had the redesigned tensioner that 
doesn't appear to be prone to premature failure.

So, IMO, changing the timing belt, etc. at 60K miles is a little early, 
OTOH I certainly would do it well before Audi's recommended interval (which 
I cannot remember right now).

>After doing that, make sure you check the spark plugs for proper torque.
>
>BTDT, no check on spark plugs, damaged head to the tune of $2700 due to
>imploding electrode.
>
>If the car is chipped, all the more reason to do this service early and
>check the plugs regularly.

I don't disagree with checking the plugs, probably a good idea to replace 
them at 50K miles if it hasn't been done yet, and properly torque them, but 
it's highly unlikely that the V6 has been chipped.  Also, I have only heard 
of this problem occurring on turbo-charged engines.

>Taka


Stephen Kormilo
Winnipeg, MB
CANADA

Silver 2002 Audi A4 3.0QM
Now departed:   Silver '98.5 Audi A4 2.8QM
                            Black '85 Mazda Rx7 GSL-SE

email: skormilo at rrc.mb.ca
OR
           stephen at kormilo.ca