sajanesick

At 49,820 miles our A6 4.2L Quattro appears to have lost its thermostat. Radiator cool and engine temp can be maintained if both heat and blower kept on high. Apparently it's no 30 minute job with a gallon of antifreeze. It is basically a timing belt change either at the dealer for something north of $2,000 or an adventurous weekend in the garage. I chose the garage as I could also enlist the aid of a friend and independent VW/Audi Mechanic who generously offered various special VAG tools for the job.

Although the job is now mostly completed (awaiting final inspection before manually turning the engine a good half dozen times to help insure correct timing) before firing it up. The questions I have really involve the special VAG tools 3341 Cam Lock, 3241 Crankshaft Locking Pin and 3391 Camshaft Locking Bar. In short, nothing seems to fit the AWN engine. Anyone else out there run into this? The bold holes for the 3341 appear to be about .25 inches too wide. The 3319 seems to be about about .25 inches too short (if I recall correctly) and I could not find any where to insert the Crank locking Pin.

Through redundant marking and judicious application of the Locking bar and mini-vice grips, I believe I maintained proper alignment (although both camshafts had to be manually readjusted after unexpected self-induced movements when the belt came off).

Any info from some one who had BTDT would be appreciated along with anyone who has direct knowledge as to why Audi decided to bury the thermostat where it did. Also I've got a few pics is anyone is interested.

Steve Janesick
sajanesick@bellsouth.net

2003 A6 4.2L Quattro
1994 Volvo 850 (manual)
1991 Audi 200 TQ 20V
1980 Porsche 911
(and a 95 Volvo 850 Wagon just left the confines to live out in Colorado)

informed

I never lock the crank when doing a t belt, unless it's a 3.0 where you have no choice. Put your crank pulley on the TDC mark, or about 1 or 2 mill. to the left of it, release the tensioning pin and then tighten the cam's. Turn the crank over once and line up the cams and the crank. No science to it.

01audi4.2

The tools you need are T40005 for the cam locking, and 3242 for the flywheel locking. You will need T40009 to set the tensioner roller to 35 in lbs. Make sure you use the proper torque settings. I applied loctite blue to all bolts and put a drop of red on the flat surface of the tensioner roller were it mounts to the block. Also to get the front of the car in the service position you can use two M8 1.25 4 inch bolts. I just finished doing my 2001 4.2.

Boston Driver

..which meant that I was able to get the timing belt done on the warranty company's dime. All I paid for was the belt and coolant. The indy shop got the pulley, tensioner, and the thermostat all covered by the warrranty.

Jackpot!!!

AudiFX

failed under power or not? I mean we do have interference engines....did you cause any piston or valve damage? Were there early warning symptoms?

jeramiea

hey steve. could you please send those pics to my email, jeramiea7@yahoo.com. thanks.