Timing belt question?

There are no warnings - when it breaks it just goes, don't rev the engine too hard, drive easy and keep your fingers crossed - no guarantees but it could easily make another year or another week. 

You are very lucky that nothing has happened yet! AUDI is my very FAVORITE car type and I have owned a few of them and repaired many more.  Go to BLAUPARTS or 1-800 AL:: AUID< or 1-800 A:: EURO for the kit from continental! It has a warranty as well. ! I SINCERELY HOPE that you have NOT been using VALVOLILNE or other wax based oils in that marvey engine! It requires ONLY FULLY EUROPEAN SYNTHETIC called 502/505 oil I LOVE TOTAL ENERGY OIL< but if you use PENNZOIL EURO or PLATINUM Oil you gain a secret 500.000 mile warranty from them!  VALVOLINE is really not good for ANY ENGINE! It is refined from tar and wax and ash; and comes from the ASHLAND COMPANY! IT has ALWAYS eaten rubber from only the VAPORS< and eats seals and gaskets over time! There is NO HOPE for it's use; and NO FACTORY ON EARTH will use it. tHINK OF Pennzoil AS the oil USED BY Ferrari.  yoU CAN ALSO USE liquid moly< ravenol, Amsoil, or MOBIL ONE; and a WOOL FILTER from HENGST company or mobil one SYNTHETIC filter, not PAPER Sorry about typos, I am typing in the dark. Or use the FACTORY oil and gfluids, PENTOSIN products/

If it breaks, its a new engine which would cost considerably more than your car is worth. Get it or the car changed.

Lizz, are you a mechanic? It's time to have the belt replaced. It's done its job. Have the belt replace & the pullies cleaned. Take it to a dealer, they'll inspect it & tell you what it needs before they charge you.

The A6 is an interference engine. If it has already slipped timing (loose fitting, broken teeth etc.), it could now have bent valves, and performing poorly if at all.

So if its performance is good, CHANGE THE BELT NOW. Make sure whoever does it understands it is an interference engine, as not knowing could cause bent valves if the engine is turned over irresponsibly.

It's about as good today as it was yesterday.. I would not bet a nickel on a timing belt- especially one way overdue to be replaced.

crystal ball says no how can anyone guess if its cracked its going to break eventually is it an interference engine? if it is and it breaks it will be the end of the car.

No it's not safe, and yes there are signs it's about to - your odometer is screaming at you: IT'S ABOUT TO BREAK!

Are you CERTAIN that you're looking at the TIMING belt? On MOST cars, the timing belt is under a cover and can't be seen from outside. If you're looking at the SERPENTINE belt that drives the alternator, power steering pump and etc, then THAT belt should not have any cracks either. Take your car to a REAL mechanic and pay to have it fixed properly the first time.

The short answer is no it's not safe to drive. The risk is considerable as the engine is likely to be severely damaged if the belt breaks. So beg borrow or steal the cash and have it done asap. Of course you can continue to drive the car, but I wouldn't. Don't you have a credit card?