GnatGoSplat

I'm thinking about picking up an 04 Audi A8L as soon as I find a buyer for my car. However, one thing very important to me is the car not be too difficult for a DIYer to work on since I do all my own work. I got ahold of the service manual for the D3 A8 and wasn't too thrilled with what I saw.

For those who have actually worked on these cars, does changing the t-stat, water pump, or timing belt look worse than it really is? Do you really have to pull the front end to change those things, and if so, how much work is it to pull the front end?

I have seen a video of a D2 procedure to change the water pump without pulling the timing belt off, does that procedure work on the D3 as well? Am I correct in thinking the 2000-03 D2 V8 has the same engine as the 04-06 D3 V8? Does anything have to be removed/loosened other than the timing cover to remove the thermostat housing and thermostat?

I wish I could justify an 07 with FSI and timing chain, but they cost double what an 04 costs and I don't really want to have to make payments either.

Mister Bally

I know of two people who have done it without removing the front end. Be prepared for some minor cuts and scrapes if you go that route. I have a 2004 with 108,000 miles now and I still have the original timing belt. I pull off a cover and inspect it periodically. I have been branded "Miser Bally" here because of that but it's my business. I do virtually all of my own work as well. It's just that I don't believe the belt needs replacement at 75,000 miles.

I had a 1987 5000CS turbo quattro with a 5 cylinder 2L "contact" engine that had no maintenance interval published anywhere. With over 200,000 miles onthe car, when the water pump stareted to leak, I replaced the belt since I had to remove it anyway. It still looked good. That engine was much higher revving than my A8's 4.2L engine and the A8 belt is triple the length and it's wider.

Good luck to you.

rdieter

There is a trade off with the FSI chain vs. belt. I don't think the 4.2 FSI is as smooth as the belt 4.2. Just my opinion - - on our '07 4.2 Q7 vs. our '04 A8L. The A8 feels much more refined in my opinion. But then again, I had the belt replaced under Audi Care at no charge for the A8L CPO at 75K.

Always nicer at no charge.

GnatGoSplat

Mister Bally, I completely understand! My wife's car has 156,000 miles and I've never changed its timing belt, though it may have been changed earlier in its life by a previous owner. I only check it periodically and am hoping to have the car sold in the not-too-distant future so I won't have to worry about it. With the A8L though, I can envision having to pull the front end and even loosen the timing belt to get the water pump and thermostat out. I have had to replace the t-stat in almost every car I've owned after it accumulated over 100k miles and water pump in 3 of 4.

rdieter, the engine with timing belt feeling smoother is probably not just your opinion, I think it's a fact that belts are smoother/quieter than chains. I prefer the reduced maintenance and better location of water pump and t-stat on the FSI chain engine though. Oh yes, no charge is always nicer! I wish I could get something with a warranty, but I'm determined to get a lower priced car so I don't have to make payments.