RE: Timing belt (was thinking about buying a 91 200 Quattro Turbo)

["Paul C. Waterloo" <74543.407@compuserve.com>]

>I had the car checked by (supposedly) the local Audi gurus
>(Jeffs VW/Audi here in Boise, ID). Although I wasn't thoroughly
>impressed with the review (they didn't catch the temperature
>gauge, the driver-side seat heater) they did find a couple of
>things:

>The front brake pads are almost completely worn out but the
>rotors look fine (the brakes don't surge).

I would just make sure they measure the thickness, that's a better
indication of rotor wear. If they are fine and don't surge, put new pads on
them, but I wouldn't turn the rotors, if you can find a jig to turn them. I
just rough them up with some sandpaper.

New pads are about $180 for front, rears are about $90, BTDT.

>It needs a 60,000 mile service. 

>In particular he said that he didn't think the timing belt had
>ever been changed. He said that there were visible cracks and
>that it needed to be replaced ASAP. He said that he didn't think
>the 20 valve motor had a problem if the timing belt broke
>(enough valve clearance). Can anyone confirm this? If this is
>not the case, it makes me nervous just driving it home.

Mine was just the same, just don't bring it up to 7200 RPM EVERY time you
accelerate on the way home. I wouldn't worry about it. However, it is very
much an interference engine, major damage will happen if the belt breaks.
When you change it, don't make the same mistake I did and not change the
idler pulley, mine squeaks at idle, it drives me crazy. Also, change the
water pump. Get the parts from an Audi dealer, I got a water pump and
timing belt from Imparts, the belt wasn't the same width and the teeth
depth was different. The water pump wasn't nearly the quality of the Audi
one that I pulled. Probably another $40......

>Also, he said $400 to do the brakes and the 60K service
>(including the timing belt). Seems pretty cheap to me?

Parts and labor? Make sure he uses Audi parts, pay the extra for it, change
the belts while you're there (the alternator belt size is in the owner's
manual, make sure he gets that size belt, many cross reference manuals has
the wrong size belt in it, a little too big is normally specified.) Get
Audi belts, they are much easier to fit up and the width is correct, your
mechanic will have no troubles wityh them.

Otherwise, I would jump on it. UFO pads are $175 (Audi available only),
belts, water pump, tensioner and timing belt is about another $175, so I
think he'll come back with a higher price. If you need the tool to hold the
crankshaft in place while pulling the big bolt, I have it for
use/rent/whatever.

Paul

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Paul Waterloo
Brookfield, IL

91 200q

EMAIL: 74543.407@compuserve.com
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