I bought a used Audi A4 a few weeks ago only to find out that there might be some work needed for the rear cam tensioner. Just checked with a mechanic shop and he was saying it could be anywhere over 2k which doesn't "seem legit" because the part itself is about $170 and in online forums they say it takes 2-3 hours of work. Is there anyone who is mechanically inclined who'd know how to do this? Also any place that's reliable with decent rates? I am looking for anywhere in Fremont/union city and the surrounding areas. Many thanks!

repairpal.com/estimator

Woodside Auto in RWC & Traps in SSF is where I've brought my Integra.    I trust t h email both.

*them

torch it,

Audi, BMW, VW are known as the car repair money buckets.

Looking through Checkbook magazine ratings for Audi repair in your area:
C& J Automotive 1996 alvarado, san Leandro 510-352-4773
Fremont foreign auto repair 444 mowry ave, Fremont 510-793-6067
George's automotive service 16348 foothill, san leandro 510-276-3501
Many if not most automotive repair shops don't service Audis, and those that do will charge a premium.
What model year is your A4?

It's an 05. YouTube does have some instructional videos but right now I don't have an accurate diagnosis. The shop I went to was like going to a doctor with a fever and him saying "not sure if you'll live or not" but get admitted to the hospital and we'll check you up"

Unfortunately you need to open the engine and need the skills to avoid damaging anything. While the engine is apart many shops will replace the water pump belts and a few more items because they may be close to failing or not reusable.  Then there is what else is worn?  Chain?   Hoses?  Gaskets?  So you can save on labor but the parts cost goes up.  $170 and becomes $900  3 hours labor is near $600  in CA.   But 3 hours seems low.  Spark plus take 1 hours with all the plastic covers  the word rear is another hour.

These 4 guys took 4 hours.     youtube.com/watch?v=DMIm…

I trust these guys: yelp.com/biz/melrose-mot…

I go to the Chinese guys on Howard & South Van Ness.
super reasonable, all the time, work done quick, AND they have a woman who does haircuts while you wait for your car !
Only problem is, they don't speak much english, so you have to know what is wrong with your car before you take it there so you can tell them what needs to be done.
Because if you tell them something like, "It makes this kugga kugggaa sound when I make a left turn..." then the guys just look at you with a blank stare.

MB said: another good guy is below, though he tends to get excited  :)

auto123.com/ArtImages/16...
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LOL!

Have you checked with the dealer?  If it's a known issue - their service manager ought to have heard about it and know what is required.  If nothing else, you can learn a bit about the procedure.

If you bring an open-ended statement like "it might need" to a mechanic - they are thinking it might need everything, and a bag of chips.  If you say "I need the cam chain tensioners replaced" then they can look up the procedure in a book and quote you based on hours.

The dealer has a blanket "project hours" estimator that will tell you what is required as far as parts and labor.  You can then shop it around.

If you aren't sure, you are better off not speculating.  Have the factory dealer do a full inspection - and pay the price.

German cars are fun - but they are not cheap.  :)

@MB H :

with that kind of thinking, you are going to miss out on a lot of good deals!
just because you don't speak the same language doesn't mean you can't do business.
Just have to do it a different way. money & service means the same thing in any language.

Lol haircuts while car getting fixed? Not a bad business plan haha ;) I haven't checked with a dealer yet but what from the forums say it's a common problem. Some say the engine needs to be removed and some say things like cam tensioners can be replaced without engine being removed. The job goes from a 10 hour job, straight down to only a 2 hour job lol

"Live and learn"

Are you talking about a tensioner for the serpentine belt? Mine failed recently and it cost about $500 to replace. They had to take off the front end in order to access the tensioner.

Help! I purchased a used 2001 Audi a4 1.8T Quattro with 120,000 miles. I have a coolant leak that has progressively gotten worse, intermittently dying while on the freeway, or when I park and try to restart. No check engine light. Now battery is dead, doesn't hold a charge. I'm in need of a reliable, fair pricing mechanic in San Ramon CA. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Cathryn,
Checkbook lists:
ace auto repair  2560 san ramon valley , san ramon 925-743-1552
import doctors 2077 camino ramon 925-277-9460
san ramon valley import 31 beta ct san ramon 925-838-0991

Expect to pay through the nose for repairs on used Mercedes, BMW or Audi!

I have a 2004 audi a4 Quattro as well. I highly recommend advanced auto repair on Mowry ave in Fremont. After overpaying at other places, I came across this gem of a repair shop. Ask for Don, he is honest and his prices are about 50% less than other shops. He's picked me up from home, and even let me borrow his car while my repair is being completed.

The parts might be cheap, but it might need to take the whole engine out of the engine compartment to get that replaced. That's why it costs that much.

I think we have the problem figured out,...
we are going to hang a new airplane behind that propeller....
that should fix it,.... almost for sure.....

Mc T: The problem with buying a used car that is foreign and expensive, there are less mechanics that fix these cars and the ones that do charge a lot.
This comes with the reason these cars are so expensive and expensive to fix.
You already bought the car so just pay the money. My advice is to go to a reputable Audi mechanic that will give you some kind of written guarantee for this fix. It doesn't matter how cheap this part is because you need someone that will back their work. It would be a big mistake to try this fix on your own because you could create more problems.
I have come to realize " the cheap comes out more expensive " so there are times in life you just pay the money and get it done right.