2.5 TDI Cambelt change

[mikeybutch]

We have looked at a2004 avant quattro sport with desirable extras such as leather heated seats rare and good value at £7500 with 100k full history except the present owner says he accepted the previous owners assurance that the belts were changed on 80k for which he paid cash thus no receipt.He says that he had this checked by ahis mechanic and has used the car for 18 mos with no concerns. Is it easy to inspect the belts on a 2.5 TDI and is it a matter of verifying that they are aftermarket ones so are replacements. The present owner seems clearly to have the means to have replaced them if he had any worries but if we buy I would like to have it checked again if it is feasible.Just seems odd that the previous owner would do this when it is such a vital part of full history and there had been full audi servicing until then Any views please before we close the deal next week?

[snapdragon]

Yes, you need to remove the plastic cover from the top of the engine.
Then just behind the radiator/fan cowel there is a plastic cover over the top of the timing belts.

The cover is in two halves, left and right, and they interlock somewhat in the middle. They are held on with metal spring clips similar to those on air-filter boxes.

Take a mental note of how the covers are fitted and how they interlock and remove (which can take a bit of manoeuvring).

The covers will probably be filthy inside.

You can then see the conditions of the belt (which is supposed to be inspected every service anyway). You can read any branding and date codes, but may need to turn the engine to see them.

[kite]

For peace of mind I would budget for a cambelt/waterpump and thermostat change.
At around £500 I think you'll then have nothing to worry about for a few yrs motoring.

[mikeybutch]

If we can find somewhere who will replace the lot for £500 I think thats good advice but I have been told that it could be much more in some places .It seems that the price reflects the dilemma but we would have been happier to have paid more if the job had been on the records.This seems to be the only one available with the this spec in our price range so no option.Will ask our local inde to check out the belts and if he agrees that they are replacements then we can see how the car settles in as it is a switch from manual to auto for us and we have heard of problems with gearboxs which we dont need to have to sort out first

[kite]

As its quattro it won'thave the dredded "multicronic" box

[mikeybutch]

Thanks Kite are you saying that quattro autoboxes are not got the problem that we have heard of?

[kite]

Multi 'boxes are the ones that have "problems", these are NOT fitted to quattro's....

[mikeybutch]

This is indeed good news .Explains why the seller seems a little impatient with us when we queried the box >he says it has been no trouble and it drives smoothly so back to cambelts etc