A4 1.8t crunched head running...

[Fluhr <ejfluhr@austin.ibm.com>]

Just an update for those who were interested:

My father has repaired the head on his '97 A4 1.8t engine after the
timing belt broke at 64K miles and the pistons crunched some valves.
The parts list goes something like this:

     Timing belt
     Timing belt tensioner/dampener (?)
     8 exhaust valves (2 bent per cylinder)
     4 intake valves (1 bent per cylinder)
     4 hydraulic lifters
     Turbo to EM gasket
     A few miscellaneous nuts and bolts

Total cost came out to be something around $1600.  Had my father been
smart and called Linda before ordering the parts from the local VW
dealer, he could have saved $200.

Three valves per cylinder were bent, and the other two valves appear
to have ever-so-slightly nicked the pistons but seemed to see and
operate fine.  After putting the car back together it seems to run
well.  Time will tell if everything is OK.

So far, Audi has said it will pay for %25 percent of the repair cost,
even though originally the dealer said Audi would pay for $1000 on
$2400 at the dealership.

I would highly recommend all you 1.8t folks to consider changing
the timing belt at the 60K mile mark rather than the specified 90K
mile mark.  It might cost $300 for the change, but it sure beats
$1600 in repairs if the belt breaks.

Later,
Eric
'85 CGT, '82 urq
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Eric J. Fluhr                                Email:  ejfluhr@austin.ibm.com
High End Processor Design                    Phone:  (512) 838-7589
IBM Server Group                             Austin, TX