AUDI
Haik’s German Autohaus
Audi Repair and Service in Santa Barbara
At Haik’s German Autohaus we repair and service all Audi models, the A3, A4, A5, A6, A8, A8L, Q5, Q7, R8, RS4, RS6, S4, S5, S6, S8, Allroad, Cabriolet, Quattro, TT and TTS.
All repairs and services performed by master technicians Haik Hakobian and Kurt Richter.
We provide the following repairs, services and diagnostics, and more....
Repairs Offered:
- Air Conditioning
- Brakes
- Battery
- Fuel Injection
- Fuel Pump
- Power Steering
- Suspension
- Engine
- Transmission
- Electrical: lighting, window lifters
- Engine electronics
- Chassis electronics
- Exhaust system: catalytic converter, muffler
- Cooling System: water pump, radiator
- Timing Belt Replacement
Services Offered:
- Routine Maintenance
- Major Inspection
- Minor Inspection
- Oil Change
- Filters
- Oxygen Sensors
- Fluid Flushes: brakes, power steering, coolant, transmission
Diagnostics:
- Check Engine Light
- SRS (Airbags & Seatbelts)
- Pre-Purchase Vehicle Check
- Electrical Functions
- Mechanical Functions
- Starting Problems
- Running Problems
- Noises
Timing Belts
Most Audi engines use timing belts rather than timing chains. Despite the advantage of being quieter, lighter in weight and cheaper, belts wear faster than chains. Typical timing belt replacement on most Audis is around 70,000 miles. The job is approximately six hours long, depending on model, and is the most costly major service expense the vehicle requires on a routine basis.
At the time of timing belt replacement, it is highly recommended to replace the belt tensioner, water pump, thermostat, and the plastic thermostat cover as well. The water pump is driven off the timing belt. Replacing the water pump by itself is another six-hour job. Replacing it at the time the timing belt is done is only an additional 1.5 hour job. Even if the water pump is still in good shape at the time, it does have 70,000 miles on it and may very likely fail before the next timing belt replacement interval. The thermostat is located behind the timing belt on the V6 2.8 liter engines and does not add much cost to the bill. The thermostat on the 4 cylinder engines is at another location and will add another half hour or so. Other parts to consider are the replacement of coolant hoses and coolant reservoir.
*A note of caution: Interference engines are those in which the valves won’t clear the pistons if the timing belt breaks. Most Audis are interference engines. If the timing belt breaks or slips, the valves in the head will be smashed by the pistons and the repair cost will be enormous (approximately $5,000).
It is therefore wise to be safe and heed the replacement intervals for the timing belt. A belt replacement job with tensioner, water pump and thermostat, is considerably less than replacing the cylinder head if the belt should break. In our shop we’ve seen many damaged cylinder heads.
Front Bumper and Service Position
All Audi V6 engines since the 90’s require the front bumper to be removed and the radiator with its support to be pulled forward in order to have access to the front of the engine where many vital engine parts, including the timing belt, are located. When required, this process adds around two hours to any job. It is therefore pennywise to perform all the repairs at once in that area when the car is in the service position.
The Audi 4 cylinder engines, whether 1.8Turbo, 2.0, or 2.0Turbo, sit transverse in the vehicle and do not require the bumper to be pulled into the service position, but they offer problems of their own. Timing belt replacement requires that the right-front motor mount be removed in order to install the new belt and tensioner. It is a lot of hard work and any other repair in the area should be done at that time.
For a detailed list of services and repairs we provide, please see our Services Page.
