A6 1.9 TDI Timing Belt Change

[mrcheeezy]

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']My 2003 A6 1.9 TDI is due its 2nd timing belt change now at 120k. I have been quoted £450 from a non main dealer AUDI garage. [/FONT]
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[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Is this a big job? I have elsawin as a manual and have done a few on other cars - any special tips or tools needed? Do I need to remove the front of the car etc. I plan to use a replacement kit supplied by AUDI with tensioners pulleys belt etc. [/FONT]
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[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Is it worth replacing anything else whilst I'm there - water pump, thermostat etc?[/FONT]
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[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Thanks[/FONT]

[Crasher]

You need the front panel sliders, cam lock pin and crank lock plate which can be purchased relatively easily. The price you have been quoted is fair, it is not a difficult job, just long winded and awkward. Replace the water pump and the coolant with G12+ but the thermostat should be OK, they don't give problems.

[paul b]

As Crasher says, the timing belt replacement is lengthy rather than difficult. I serviced the car at the same time as the timing belt replacement.

For the life of me I couldn't work out how to put the car into the 'service position' or whatever it is called in order to move the front end forwards. Anyway, after removing the front bumper and a million pieces of plastic etc and by moving the radiator out of the way I gave myself enough room to work.

I bought all genuine parts from Audi, those being the timing belt, tensioners, water pump, locking pins etc. Also all genuine service parts on top.

It took me all Sunday to do the whole job, but it didnt put a 450 quid whole in my pocket which made me happy!

Paul

[mrcheeezy]

I take it the front panel sliders are just to slide the front forward to give you more room and as you say are not really needed?

Also once the replacement belt is fitted does the timing need to be adjusted on the cam or can you just leave it as it was and simply replace belt for belt?

[paul b]

I take it the front panel sliders are just to slide the front forward to give you more room and as you say are not really needed?

Also once the replacement belt is fitted does the timing need to be adjusted on the cam or can you just leave it as it was and simply replace belt for belt?

The front panel sliders probably do make things a whole lot easier, but I just couldn't work out how to put the car into this position. It is not essential that you put the car into the service position, as long as you are okay with taking bumpers off and unclipping the radiator in order to get the required space.

As long as the crankshafts etc have been locked in place correctly, you won't need to adjust the cam afterwards via VAG-COM or anything like that. Simply, if you have locked everything correctly using the all of locking pins etc then you will not need to adjust the timing afterwards.

If you were to use the search tool on this forum, and type in 'My A6 Timing Belt Experience' you should come across a thread from myself at the time of completing the timing belt change. That thread contains images from the time.

Finally, your car will be looking in a right sorry state during the timing belt change... just don't panic!

Good luck

Paul

[Crasher]

The sliders put it in the “service position” and make doing the job a lot easier. The only trouble is that if the car has had the slightest bump on the nose during its life, they can be impossible to get to locate so you just end up sliding it back on some very long M8 bolts. In this case though, accurately re-aligning the front end can be awkward.

[Clinterous]

Stafford Audi were offering cambelt changes for £275.

[adamss24]

Stafford Audi were offering cambelt changes for £275.

If you could make it to N. London, i could replace your cambelt, rollers, watter pump,drive belts and coolant for 220 pounds. The parts alone cost over 150 quid on trade ! Stafford Audi only replaces the belt and belt tensioner ! Every other thing is EXTRA and you end up with a bill of about 450 quid ! Please email me for details. Regards, Chris- 07789912128.

[pete99]

If you could make it to N. London, i could replace your cambelt, rollers, watter pump,drive belts and coolant for 220 pounds. The parts alone cost over 150 quid on trade ! Stafford Audi only replaces the belt and belt tensioner ! Every other thing is EXTRA and you end up with a bill of about 450 quid ! Please email me for details. Regards, Chris- 07789912128.

Thats interesting - day trip to London-- drop car off in morning - and maybe it would be done and dusted by late afternoon/early evening - for drive back ?.
Its just a thought .

[adamss24]

Thats interesting - day trip to London-- drop car off in morning - and maybe it would be done and dusted by late afternoon/early evening - for drive back ?.
Its just a thought .

Yeah, i do need about 4 hours to work on the car, the hardest part its getting at the belt ! Bumper, lock carrier and drive belts need to come off ! Just drop us a line or call if/when you ready and let me know the reg number of the car, to be able to get the right parts. Regards, Chris- 07789912128.