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V8 4.2 Belt Tensioners question/120K service experience warning



How often do the belt tensioners have to be replaced-every 60K or just when
they begin to wobble a bit?

Just got back from the local dealer I had been using-Newton Motorsports
Audi/Porsche/VW in Newton NJ.  The new service writer, pinky ring and all,
noted to me that the transmission service was going to be $285 and the
timing belt/V Belt was going to be 12.5 hours of additional labor.  I had
already gotten the parts from Linda at Carlsen(both belts, water
pump/gasket, fuel filter, plugs, oil pan and valve cover gaskets)  .  I
questioned the guy on the time and he said,"hey, the dealership has to make
money-what do you want from me?  When people do this to the sales people, we
ask them to leave.  We just did the service on an A8 and it was 13 hours".
So I left.  They also noted a mandatory 1 hour diagnostic for cars off
warranty!

Sad, I had used this dealer before and liked the past service writers who
were much easier to deal with.  I am going to check the figures against what
Paul Miller wants for the same job and weigh it against an independent.
Wanted to go with a dealer for just this service if possible due to warranty
coverage if something goes wrong.  People have talked about a range of time
on this from 6 to 9 hours.  Anyone have any experience on the 4.2 as opposed
to the 3.6?


-Eric Friedman
93 V8 4.2 (123K)