mosmoe (OPG)

Wife was driving the '01 TT down the interstate when the car suddenly shut off. She had it towed back to the house. Whenever I try to start it, it will turn the engine but it doesn't try to start (nothing fires). Any ideas? Has this happened to anyone else?

TTschwing

seem to spin real easily. like the starter isn't engaging?

mosmoe (OPG)

The belt turns but there is no rrur rrur rrur rrur (technical description of proper engine starting sound).

TTschwing

Sounds like it may be a broken timing belt. How many miles?

mosmoe (OPG)

It has 80 some thousand. I bought it with 77k on it. It has a full warranty though. So hopefully, if it was the timing belt, it will be covered.

TTschwing

Sounds like it could be..

mosmoe (OPG)

What is the easiest way to tell if this is really the problem? Do I have to take everything apart and actually look at it or are there other indications that I could look for?

ArTT Vandelay

and it does indeed sound like a t-belt.

TTschwing

On the passenger side of the engne that covers the belt. Snap it open and see if it's there...
Honestly though, if the engine just spins freely when you engage the starter, the belt (and Valves, and pistons) are toast..

mosmoe (OPG)

I am guessing that if the belt has broken, I am going to need to replace other parts of the engine as well...