Maini

I am approaching the 60000 mile mark and whnt to see if I need the timimg belt to be replaced. The car is a 1996 A6. Just want to be safe than sorry!! Any help with a visual inspection procedure will really be appreciated...

Thanks

Dipesh

QCRAZY

Sure is....look at the odometer :-) Start thinking about it at 60k; at 75k it should be changed!!

Wagonmann

When I changed mine at 65,000 it looked brand new, minus the writing on the belt. I understand when they get old they start cracking and stuff. It probably takes 20 minutes longer to change it out, and about $20, as opposed to just tearing down and inspecting. However, just to avoid tearing it down again, the recommendation in this forum is to change your idler pulley, tensioner pulley, water pump, and thermastat at the same time, since these all have about the same life expectency as the timing belt and require timing belt removal to service.
Jim
'97 Q6qw
Quattro Value Package

Seattle Scott

Don't forget most people are recomending a bigger service at 60,000 than just the belt mostly because the water pumps aren't very reliable.

If you use a 60,000 mile interval instead of a 90,000 mile interval at 180,000 miles you would have done three timing belt jobs instead of two. For me that's a weekend and about $240 and a lot's of "peace of mind".