A4 3.0 Quattro Auto cam belt broken

[Jbruce]

The cam belt on my 2001 A4 V6 3.0 Quattro Auto broke this morning. I was idling in a long traffic jam when it happened. When the engine cut out, I tried to start it again, which I have subsequently been informed could have caused more damage.

The car is currently at the Audi main dealer on Finchley Road in London, awaiting inspection. I see from earlier posts that my chances of claiming Audi should pay, as the belt shouldn't break after 46,000 miles, are slim. Any help on the following though?

1. Can you recommend a good independent dealer in North London, in case the dealer quote comes back very very high?

2. Likely impact of this on the engine (the Audi dealer has muttered that it might need up to £6k of repairs)

3. Any other tips on minimising repair costs

If it is a ridiculously high cost, I'm tempted to ask the dealer what they could do for me on a part exchange.

Jbruce

[Dozz]

even just at idle it will bend the valves I'm afraid and as theres 5 valves per pot i think it will cost quite a bit. I had a cam belt break on 16v pug at idle and it bent all 16 valves I'm not painting a very rosey picture am I? Piston damage is very rare and as the revs were slow I don't think you would of damaged the guides but I have had to replace the head completly on an lupo sdi because the valves were pushed back up against the cam with so much force the cam caps broke and the now free cam slaugthered the head but the guy was thrashing it at the time. If you try to part x i bet they offer ya bugger all for it your probably best of finding a good independet to do the job You say the cam belt snapped at 47k miles When are they surposed to be changed?

[nickynibbles]

Unlucky mate, i've got a 2002 3.0 too thats done 43k & im starting to think about getting the cam belt done as a precautionary measure, despite the high cost of getting it done in the 1st place! There's a few Audi specialists in north london area, try yell.com/google. I know of a independant in Iver/Denham area near Uxbridge but cant remember their name, came across them last year when looking to buy a car & they came across as very know knowledeable. Also yell.com'd another audi specialist in Watford called CKS Performance. Best bet is to get the report from the dealer as to whats up & then ring about a bit. Once again though, unlucky & I think we all feel for you mate.

[Jbruce]

Thanks for your comments guys. A quick update for you... The dealer informed me that the car needs a new engine and quoted a cost of £10k (£5k engine and £5k labour). This for a car with a forecourt value of £9.5k.

I pressed them on what exactly had gone wrong and it transpired the dealer was unwilling to take off the cylinder heads to check the damage (e.g. to check whether it might just be the valves that need replacing), due to the cost of doing so, and so were offering an engine replacement as the only option.

So, I have now moved the car to an independent VW/Audi specialist in Welwyn Garden City, Herts, who are stripping the engine today. Their initial view is that because the engine was idling at the time it stopped (as opposed to being at high revs), the chance of the cylinder heads being broken are low. More shockingly, it turns out that the cam belt itself hasn't broken at all, but rather the water pump collapsed, causing the belt to be dragged out of alignment. So, not only did the Audi dealer not want to strip the engine (perhaps understandably in view of the cost involved), but they didn't take the time to discover that in fact the belt hadn't broken. Anyway, you can tell I'm angry with Audi. I'll keep you posted on what happens today.

[Dozz]

Another great service provided by the main ********

[nickynibbles]

A very worrying story, seriously think that demands a complaint to Audi HQ as a blatant attempt to steal a customers money! Not even bothering to spend 2 minutes to see visually what looks to of gone wrong!! Fingers crossed for you mate.

[J7USS]

A very worrying story, seriously think that demands a complaint to Audi HQ as a blatant attempt to steal a customers money! Not even bothering to spend 2 minutes to see visually what looks to of gone wrong!! Fingers crossed for you mate.

Yes I completely agree.
Audi ******* are *****, They do my head in with all their technical crap. You'll find the Back street Garages have more Knowledge of your car than them Idiots.

My engine went before xmas due to Failed Oil pump, Audi wanted few pounds under £900 just to have a look and confirm to me it was the oil pump, then a further £4900 + vat for new block and head + the labour which they said was going to cost another £2800ish. Robbing C***s, oh nearly forgot, they also quoted me £845 for new turbo Do they just think of the first figure that springs to mind. I told them to stop taking the pee and I wont even bother letting them Rob me. How can they justify such steep charges. Its the Old folk that keep them going, Audi tell them the bill and they dont even dispute, they just pay (no disrespect to old people ) So yes F*** em, robbing Scum.

In the end my Bill was £3200 for recon Engine + Turbo without salvaging my bits and Labour included + 6months warrenty.....and some kind discounts for continuing to use them for services etc.

STill felt a *** Burning after my pants had been pulled down and Spanked!!