HAIK'S GERMAN AUTOHAUS - Audi Repair - Audi Service - Santa Barbara
Haik's German Autohaus
310 E. Cota Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(805) 965-0975

HAIK'S GERMAN AUTOHAUS
Audi Service and Repair
Santa Barbara


40+ Years Experience

Since 1979


Specializing in the Maintenance of all Audi Models

Audi A3 | Audi A4 | Audi A5 | Audi A6 | Audi A7 | Audi A8 | Audi Q3 | Audi Q5 | Audi Q7 | Audi Q8 | Audi e-tron | Audi RS3 | Audi R8 | Audi RS3 | Audi RS 3 | Audi RS 4 | Audi RS 5 | Audi RS 7 | Audi S3 | Audi S4 | Audi S5 | Audi S8 | Audi SQ5 | Audi TT | Audi TT RS | Audi TTS | Audi Allroad


Audi Sport Elegance

The sport elegance of the German-engineered Audi is now among the top class of cars in the world. Audi owners are proud of that distinction. We hope to gain your confidence.


We Perform Every Major and Minor Car Repair and Auto Service for your Audi

We are an independent German auto repair shop which offers complete car repair and auto service for every automotive system in your Audi. As a leader in the industry of German car repair, Haik’s is familiar with all the strengths and weaknesses of your automobile.

Every repair or service at Haik’s is performed by a certified mechanic who is a master of your particular model. Whether your Audi needs a water pump, battery, brakes, spark plugs, brake fluid change, has a check engine light on, is running poorly, or just needs a routine service, we are equipped to perform the task.


For Audi service near you, please call us when your car needs some TLC.

(805) 965-0975

Audi Engine Repair Santa Barbara

Personalized Service

As an independent auto repair shop, we offer you personalized service in every transaction. You are free to speak directly with the mechanic who performed the work on your car.


Audi Auto Repair Santa Barbara

Our Audi Service Menu


Audi Car Check and Inspection Services

Car Check | Service Engine Soon | Vehicle Inspection | Check Engine Light | Pre-Purchase Check | Safety Check


Audi Services

Air-Conditioning | Battery | Brake Fluid Change | Coolant Change | Drive Belt | Engine Service | Oil Change | Power Steering Flush | Spark Plugs | Timing Belt | Transmission Service | Tune-Up | And More…


Audi Repairs

A/C Compressor Replacement | Alternator | Battery Replacement | Brakes | Cooling System | Door Locks | Engine Repair | Electrical Repairs | Electronic Repairs | Computer Repairs | Lights | Muffler | Oxygen Sensors | Power Steering | Radiator | Shock Absorbers | Starter | Thermostat | Tire Replacement | Transmission | Turbos | Water Pump | Window Lifters | And More...


Audi Repair By Symptom

Running Problems | Starting Problems | Dead Battery | Warning Lights | Check Engine Light | ABS Light | Brake Warning Light | Tire Monitor On | Service Light | SRS | Overheating | Air-Conditioning Not Cold | Oil Leaks | Shaking | Windows Not Operating | And More…


For More on Audi Service See Our Services page

For More on Audi Repair See Our Repairs page


Audi Auto Repair Santa Barbara

We offer both Factory Service and Custom Service Schedules -- You choose!


See Haik’s Custom Service Schedules

Audi Repair Skills

Skills, Tools and Information

Today’s Audi is a very sophisticated machine. Virtually every system from engine, transmission, braking to air bag, adaptive chassis control, steering are electronically monitored and controlled. State-of-the-art electronics and highly advanced automotive systems require high-level skills to maintain and repair. Today’s mechanic must have electronic skills along with the mechanical skills. In addition, he/she must have sophisticated test equipment such as a scanner (scan tool) for diagnosing electronic and mechanical problems. The mechanic must also have up-to-date technical information on each model car for each job performed.

Diagnosis

The first stage of every repair is diagnostics. Accurate diagnosis is always prerequisite to repair. Mis-diagnosis leads to repair failure, lost time and extra expense. While good test equipment is vital, even the best test equipment does not replace the operator of the equipment. It is the mechanic who must ultimately find the source of the problem and repair it.

Proper Repair

At Haik’s we have all the speciality tools, mechanical skills and factory information required to maintain your model of Audi, including the latest. The scan tool we use for diagnosing electronic and mechanical problems is of the highest quality. The expertise of our mechanics guarantees that your car will be serviced and repaired to the highest standards of automotive excellence. All work is performed to factory specifications or above.

Pre-Purchase Check

Complete Vehicle Inspection.

For more details see our SERVICES page and scroll down to "Inspection (Car Check).

Some Unique Audi Problems, Symptoms and Repairs

  • Engine would not turn off when ignition key was turned off and pulled out of switch. Engine continued to run on. 1999 A6
  • Clattering Engine on 1.8T. (See my blog for more details on Audi VW 1.8T Clattering Engine)
  • Engine cranked, but would not start. Ignition, fuel delivery and fuel injection were in order. No vacuum leaks were present.
  • Broken Timing Belt. Replaced complete cylinder head. The 1.8T is an interference engine. See post on my blog re: VW Audi Interference Engine.
  • Engine cranked but would not start (engine had spark and fuel). Timing belt was broken.

Timing Belt

Timing Belt Replacement

Older Audi models used timing belts instead of timing chains. Replacing the timing belt is one of the most critical services performed on Audi and Volkswagen engines. If the timing belt breaks, the resulting engine damage is massive. The last broken timing belt job we repaired on an Audi TT 1.8T cost the customer $5,500. The engine needed a new cylinder head. *(Keep in mind, this can be avoided by replacing the timing belt at its recommended interval.)

Interference Engine

Most Audi (and VW) engines are interference engines. This means that when the crankshaft pushes the piston up to top of the stroke and the camshaft pushes the valves down to down to their open position, the piston and valves will smash into each other if the crankshaft and camshafts are not timed properly. When the timing belt breaks, there is no more timing.

*Note: Not all VW/Audi engines are interference. One might ask, then why make interference engines? The reason is higher compression as the piston comes up higher in the cylinder and gives better performance.

Timing Belt Replacement Intervals

These belts should be replaced at factory specified intervals.

Complete Timing Belt Job

When the timing belt is replaced on Volkswagen/Audi engines there are other parts replaced at the same time for a complete job. The timing belt, belt tensioning roller and idler roller are a part of the repair.

The water pump is also replaced at that same time. The water pump is driven off the timing belt, and will have the same amount of mileage on it as the belt. If the water pump bearing wears out, the timing belt could slip or break resulting in serious engine damage. Even if no other engine damage occurred, or if the water pump just developed a leak, the water pump would have to be replaced. Since the water pump job alone is about the same amount of labor time as replacing the timing belt, it would be a terrible waste of money for the customer to have to pay for the whole job over again.

In addition, we also replace the thermostat and plastic thermostat cover. Other parts to consider replacing are the coolant hoses, coolant reservoir, spark plugs, valve cover gaskets, accessory belt and tensioner.

The entire timing belt job with water pump is approximately six to nine hours long, depending on model. It is the most costly major service expense the vehicle requires on a routine basis.

Visual inspection does not always reveal a worn or damaged belt

Sometimes the timing belt shows no sign of damage or wear, so it is wise to replace it at the designated interval.

One Audi was towed to our shop because the engine would not start, even though it cranked freely. The customer stated he heard no noises when the engine stopped running. Ignition, fuel delivery, fuel injection were in order. There were no vacuum leaks. The timing belt felt tight. We pulled the spark plugs and ran a compression test. Compression was zero is all cylinders. Removing the timing belt revealed teeth on the belt which had been sheered off at the bottom of the crankshaft gear where it couldn’t be seen with the belt on. The crankshaft was turning, but the camshafts were not. It is a mystery how the customer could not have heard the noise when it happened, but the valves were all smashed.

Audi Historical Note

Did you know…?

The four interlinking rings of the Audi badge stand for the merger of four automobile companies in 1932: Audi, Horch, DKW and the Wanderer, to form the Auto Union AG, Chemnitz. The Auto Union only displayed the four interlinked rings on its racing cars. The four automobile company brands continued using their own names and emblems.

Did you know…?

The Audi automobile company’s inception date is August 25, 1910. It was a successful automobile brand until 1939 when the name disappeared from new car sales market for two and a half decades. It was revived by Volkswagen in 1965, after VW's purchase of Auto Union from Daimler-Benz.