cambelt on A8..
Discussion
Anyone know for sure about how often the cambelt needs changing on A8 4.2
Quattro 2004 model?
seems to be some 'debate' as to whether it is 80k (as per owners manual I am told) or is it 5 yearly regardless of miles? Oh,likely cost?
Thinking of buying but need to factor in cost at purchase if belts needed imminently..
Thanks
Quattro 2004 model?
seems to be some 'debate' as to whether it is 80k (as per owners manual I am told) or is it 5 yearly regardless of miles? Oh,likely cost?
Thinking of buying but need to factor in cost at purchase if belts needed imminently..
Thanks
Pretty sure that is belt drive actually - our A6 3.0 petrol is a low miles 2004 model and it had a full cambelt and tensioners/water pump/thermostat at 5 years old/30-odd k miles.
My S8 has the 4.2 lump and that was done on age grounds at 8 years old, athough if I'd owned it at the time I'd have had it done much earlier.
If you ring Audi customer services they can usually advise what the time based interval is - it's often not quoted in the manual when the car is new.
If it's never been done it's definitely overdue IMHO - cost to have it done properly will depend on whether you've got any decent independants around you. There's a lot of parts to change and the water pump/thermostat are sensible things to change on age grounds while the whole front is off the car. Audi prices are ridiculous, but they will sometimes do a deal if you get a much cheaper quote elsewhere
My S8 has the 4.2 lump and that was done on age grounds at 8 years old, athough if I'd owned it at the time I'd have had it done much earlier.
If you ring Audi customer services they can usually advise what the time based interval is - it's often not quoted in the manual when the car is new.
If it's never been done it's definitely overdue IMHO - cost to have it done properly will depend on whether you've got any decent independants around you. There's a lot of parts to change and the water pump/thermostat are sensible things to change on age grounds while the whole front is off the car. Audi prices are ridiculous, but they will sometimes do a deal if you get a much cheaper quote elsewhere
It is belt driven,the car I am considering has had belts done at Audi @60k just for added confusion! The vendor tells me the manual says 80k....the interweb tells me either 80; or 5 years. Problem I have is that if its 5 yearly then as last change was 2007 then it is (well) due..the vendor will probably stick to the "manual says 80k's" mantra meaning a significant variation in our respective valuations....I do like the car mind!
Just done a Touareg, with the same (well similar) 4.2 engine. The belt and pump are expensive (About £400), but the job is not a terrible one, a long as the correct pins and timing bars are used. It's about 6-8 hours realistically. Make sure you don't take the alternator off, as the water cooled pipes will bend and leak.
No worries. Can you see my dilemma? Seems like it will cost a fair few quid,oh well,its worth what its worth..best bid and all that (just hate talking money with someone on the phone without viewing,yet its a 200 odd mile round trip,potentially just for a look if he wont budge on this point) Hmmm....
Cheers Doc...pretty much what my thoughts are really.I may well make an offer based on my findings and we will see how the dice falls...The car does have a great spec (voice/roof/keyless/Cruise/Bose Etc) in a good colour combo,but at the end of the day its 'only' a £5-6k car so a £1k belt change,plus 'small' service due,plus 1 tyre imminent means price got be right...
£1000 is too much. £450 for the belt, pump, and idlers, rollers, tensioners etc etc. (Considerably cheaper on fleabay for a gates kit). According to Autodata, 2 and a bit hours to fit. (Took me about 3 days mind, which is a normal reflection on my time compared to A/D). You do need the crank pin, and the cam pullers though. (Hire possible) 
Alas,whilst I absolutely have an illness when it comes to buying cars I am somewhat 'mechanically challenged' so would always have to find/pay someone to do any work involved. The cost Audi quoted me did include the water pump (as apparently good practice) and said it was around 5 hours labour?
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