Cam Belt Plus Chain ?

[Mɐʇʇ]

I've spent more time than I should wondering if I should offer to do some work on people's cars - given I have a full time job already, that's a stupid idea.

[IchBautAuto]

Most owners are OCD so you'll never make a fathing doing work to your own standards. Seeing as most Audi techs can't deal with these cars 20 years on, there is very little choice other than DIY. You guys have a few specialists but here we have so few of these models that the Shop would be on starvation rations between work. Trouble is, they aren't even that complicated, just fiddly.

[Shoppinit]

I do it for close friends and/or for simple jobs (I don't charge), but the chance of something going horribly wrong and you feeling responsible is too big. I once helped a friend inspect a car before buying it and the engine failed a few days after the purchase. I felt responsible so I sourced and replaced the engine at my cost. I either decline to do this now or, when someone really insists, I caveat heavily.

[Mɐʇʇ]

Totally agree, I'm not actually thinking about it in any seriousness.
I think writing up DIYs here is adequate brain food for now.

[chunky79]

I don't really have time to work on my own car, forget anyone else's. Plus, like a local decorator to me says, if you've been doing it all day at work, last thing you want to do is more when you get home.

[steve2003rs6]

After numerous crap jobs by local “experts”.
Three years ago I Finally took the advice from this site and did a 350 mile round trip to grizz to put right what others had naffed up
Now I don’t go anywhere else.
Distance and hotel stays make it more expensive.
But having the job done right first time.
To me that’s priceless.

[simonmcc]

I really wish there wasn’t a bit of sea between me & Unit 20, I’m booked into ASR in Craigavon for an engine out steering rack change & all of the other bits that should be done when the engine is out (I’m 3y into the 4y cycle for water pump & belts etc anyway). 30 hours for engine out & back in. Yikes. The place is run by an ex Audi Master Technician from the local dealer (30y in Audi) & comes recommended by friends still in the dealer. If it all goes horribly wrong I guess I’ll get used to boats & hotels for service work

[Mɐʇʇ]

I do 5 years now given the low mileage I do

[steve2003rs6]

Matt
IIRC book says mileage and also 4 year maximum
But then I bow to your knowledge
You probably know more about these cars than what it says in the book.
Personally I don’t risk it.
I wouldn’t forgive myself if the belt snapped in year 5.

[Mark-RS]

For the record, my belt had almost zero signs of wear after 4.5 years. But I guess it's not worth the risk. I'm going to be happy with a 5 year interval for the next change.

[Mɐʇʇ]

Indeed it does. But I do so little mileage, plus it’s garaged.
When I took the last one out after 5 years, it, along with all the rollers and the pump, still looked new.

[steve2003rs6]

Yes Matt. I know. I still have the parts from 3 years ago when I had my last belt, water pump, all rollers and tensioner replaced. And indeed they all looked new.

I don’t know much technically so I just dare not risk it.
Also Audi after a belt change only guarantees the work for two years IIRC.
That’s a laugh. They should guarantee it for 4 years seeing as that is their recommendation.

[chunky79]

The 4 years was probably recommended by the belt company, its normally the rubber that degrades. The environment in which the car is kept can make a huge difference.
Just like tyres on your car, they have a shelf life regardless of how they might look.

[Mark-RS]

For anyone interested, I rang them again on Monday.

They said the part hadn't come in and they would find out what was going on and get right back to me. I also mentioned the handbrake as for the first time I parked on a very slight hill and didn't put it in park and the car started moving. SO it clearly does not hold the car !

Anyway. Today is Saturday.

And....

Well...

I'm sure you can guess.....

[steve2003rs6]

As said previously. I wouldn’t want them anywhere near my car.