Audi 80 Quiz
Body Electrical System

Engine overheating due to V-belt damage

In this manual: Body Electrical System
Technical Description — 39Engines — 41Exhaust System — 13Cooling System — 28Fuel tank and fuel pump — 12Air Filter and Intake Ducts — 13Mono-Motronic Injection System — 18Digifant Injection System — 19KE-III-Jetronic Injection System — 35MPI and MPFI Injection Systems — 32Clutch — 11Transmission and Driveline — 21Suspension and Steering — 33Brake System — 41Anti-lock brake system — 8Wheels and Tires — 13Body Electrical System — 35Ignition System — 24Lighting — 14Signaling Devices — 7Instruments and Auxiliary Equipment — 54Heating and Ventilation — 7Body Components — 18Troubleshooting — 6Specifications — 13
~1min read

On models with a 4-cylinder engine, if the power steering pump V-belt breaks, the water pump drive is interrupted at the same time and the engine overheats. As a result, the cylinder head gasket is irreversibly damaged, and in the worst case the entire cylinder head – with correspondingly high repair costs.


Therefore: if the steering becomes suddenly heavy while driving on models with a 4-cylinder engine, stop immediately and check the V-belt over the water pump and power steering pump pulleys. If the fears are confirmed: call a tow truck!
If other V-belts are affected, it is not so serious. In this case you may drive to the nearest workshop either without power steering (5-cylinder engine models only), without the alternator, or with the air conditioner not working.

On models with a 5-cylinder engine there is no risk of overheating, since the water pump is driven by the toothed belt.

The same applies to models with a 6-cylinder engine.

Test yourself

A quick Audi 80 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.