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Hi, I'm a student looking to buyer a smaller car with some safety rating on a budget.
I've found an Audi A3 '97 for around 2k - it's got 145000km on the odometer and is in good condition.
The cambelt has apparently been changed at 100000km and it's got a perfect WOF record. The owner has got all the service records also. I'm a little unsure about whether to buy a European car as I have heard that they are expensive to fix. Is there anything I should watch out for or check before I purchase?
Thanks in advance,
Stephan
Hi there,
This sounds like a good deal. But I would be wary of owning this car due to you being a student/ on a budget. If anything should go wrong, it could possible cost more than a small Japanese car to repair. One of the main things to look at is the transmission operation, make sure it doesn't slip, shudder and rev between gear changes. I have seen lots of these cars with failed transmissions.
I would look at a little Mazda Demio, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla as alternatives.
Hi Cade, thanks for your advice.
I went to view the car today and took a checklist of things to look at. I couldn't find much wrong, but the engine seemed to make an unusual chirping noise when idling, not sure if it makes it when driving as it's not that loud. In regards to the transmission, it was very smooth when accelerating as it is an automatic, and there was no 'kick' to the change in gear, which I take to be a good sign.
I was advised by someone with mechanical knowledge that the chirping/quiet screech noise is likely related to the cambelt or some other kind of belt.
I think an AA inspection would probably be a good idea also.
Let me know what you think about this chirping engine thing.
Thanks in advance,
Stephan
Hi there,
Yes a pre purchase inspection is a must. I would say the chirping sound could most likely
be a drive belt, or the belt tensioner.
Right, that seems to match with what I've been advised and read about. Is this expensive to fix? Of course there's also no way to externally authenticate that the cambelt has actually been changed - there's just a generic sticker on the bonnet saying it has been changed.
Would a faulty/dying cambelt result in these kinds of noises?
Thanks in advance,
Stephan
Drive belt and cambelt are two different things in the same area.
Drive belts are external and can bee seen, the tensioner bearing can be easily replaced.
Cambelt is hidden behind covers, and could also have a noisey bearing which will gradually get worse before collapsing. Price could range from $300 to $800 or more for a complete cambelt change.
Right. So is there a way I can test to see if it's the drive belt? I guess it could just be a bit loose or tight. I've heard that I should spray water on the belt and see if the noise fades for a few seconds. Is this a good idea?
Sorry about all the questions, and thank you very much for your advice Cade.
- Stephan
Hi Stephan,
I recommend you take the car to a technician to be inspected further.