Checking Timing Belt!?
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
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Checking Timing Belt!?
after searching for this specifically for about 45 mins now, i still feel like the answer is on here but i can't seem to find it.
i would just like to check the timing belt's condition on my 4.2, i can see it when i open the hood but don't know what i'm looking for as far as wear or needing to be replaced.
thanks
i would just like to check the timing belt's condition on my 4.2, i can see it when i open the hood but don't know what i'm looking for as far as wear or needing to be replaced.
thanks
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Aug 2013
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my understanding is that the belt itself is cheap. once you get to check it, you're better off changing it. whether it's a belt or a chain (in other cars), it's usually enclosed in the engine. in Audis (and Bentley, and VW Phaeton etc.), because of the engine placement (always hanging in front of the front axle) it's difficult to reach.
btw, I also have a related question: can the serpentine belt be changed in D2 A8 without removing the front-end? Mine is fine, but it sure would be interesting to know.
btw, I also have a related question: can the serpentine belt be changed in D2 A8 without removing the front-end? Mine is fine, but it sure would be interesting to know.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,369
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From: Washington
You cant really just look at a timing belt to see if its good or should be replaced. The belt, all the rollers, tensioner, and water pump need replaced on a fixed interval before stuff fails. Most of the time it is one of the rollers that seize, the water pump leaks, or the tensioner fails and the belt gets sloppy and ends up stripping off teeth. If you have no idea if its been done, have it done. Its not very easy and has special tools.
Thread Starter
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 12
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You cant really just look at a timing belt to see if its good or should be replaced. The belt, all the rollers, tensioner, and water pump need replaced on a fixed interval before stuff fails. Most of the time it is one of the rollers that seize, the water pump leaks, or the tensioner fails and the belt gets sloppy and ends up stripping off teeth. If you have no idea if its been done, have it done. Its not very easy and has special tools.
i guess my next question i think i already know the answer, i should take her somewhere to have the belt, roller, and tensioners replaced?
thanks
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: South Dakota
I had my Time Belt Service done not to long ago. See link below for list of items that will need to be replaced.
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho....php?t=2851557
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,611
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From: East TN
ok so am i right in remembering that there are "Timing Belt, Kits" available?? i was pretty sure i read that somewhere along the line that while your replacing the belt you should replace the rollers & tensioners because they were plastic? basically they get work out too and replacing the belt without them is almost pointless for the money spent on installing the belt.
i guess my next question i think i already know the answer, i should take her somewhere to have the belt, roller, and tensioners replaced?
thanks
i guess my next question i think i already know the answer, i should take her somewhere to have the belt, roller, and tensioners replaced?
thanks
Many (most?) replace them as a precaution..and the water pump, which IS one of the rollers itself.
Do what gives YOU peace of mind...I've personally never changed any rollers or tensioners or water pumps on any past or present cars, with the exception of my wife's Allroad...and only on the AR because Audi recommends changing the rollers with the belt on the 2.7T engine, but have never recommended changing anything but the belt on D2 A8/S8 engines. I've never had any of those parts fail at any mileage...call me lucky(?)...but I change parts that are delicate and failing, unless it's part of a manufacturer recommended schedule.
The above is a personal editorial and many (most?) may disagree.
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AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Washington
No plastic in there...rollers, eccentric roller (tensioning) and tensioner damper are all beefy metal.
Many (most?) replace them as a precaution..and the water pump, which IS one of the rollers itself.
Do what gives YOU peace of mind...I've personally never changed any rollers or tensioners or water pumps on any past or present cars, with the exception of my wife's Allroad...and only on the AR because Audi recommends changing the rollers with the belt on the 2.7T engine, but have never recommended changing anything but the belt on D2 A8/S8 engines. I've never had any of those parts fail at any mileage...call me lucky(?)...but I change parts that are delicate and failing, unless it's part of a manufacturer recommended schedule.
The above is a personal editorial and many (most?) may disagree.
Many (most?) replace them as a precaution..and the water pump, which IS one of the rollers itself.
Do what gives YOU peace of mind...I've personally never changed any rollers or tensioners or water pumps on any past or present cars, with the exception of my wife's Allroad...and only on the AR because Audi recommends changing the rollers with the belt on the 2.7T engine, but have never recommended changing anything but the belt on D2 A8/S8 engines. I've never had any of those parts fail at any mileage...call me lucky(?)...but I change parts that are delicate and failing, unless it's part of a manufacturer recommended schedule.
The above is a personal editorial and many (most?) may disagree.
Rollers on just drive belts blow apart around 100-150k all the time! Why would a timing belt roller be any different? How could you trust something like that for 200k miles?? Just because one car you had did make it?
Just to compare a similar situation. Some 1.8T cars are run without synthetic oil all their lives and make 200k fine with no issues and others on regular oil make it 100k and fill with sludge and explode.....soo do you put regular oil in because 5% made it fine....soo because you had one or two instances they didnt fail.....your just gonna run with it. When one does fail, and it will, not if, I bet it will be the last time you dont replace everything.
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AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2010
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From: East TN
Thats about the worst timing belt advice you can give, Most broken belt cars I get in are not from not changing the belt, its from people not changing all the parts. A roller seizes, water pump seizes, or tensioner hydraulic dies and no more tension on the belt.
Rollers on just drive belts blow apart around 100-150k all the time! Why would a timing belt roller be any different? How could you trust something like that for 200k miles?? Just because one car you had did make it?
Just to compare a similar situation. Some 1.8T cars are run without synthetic oil all their lives and make 200k fine with no issues and others on regular oil make it 100k and fill with sludge and explode.....soo do you put regular oil in because 5% made it fine....soo because you had one or two instances they didnt fail.....your just gonna run with it. When one does fail, and it will, not if, I bet it will be the last time you dont replace everything.
Rollers on just drive belts blow apart around 100-150k all the time! Why would a timing belt roller be any different? How could you trust something like that for 200k miles?? Just because one car you had did make it?
Just to compare a similar situation. Some 1.8T cars are run without synthetic oil all their lives and make 200k fine with no issues and others on regular oil make it 100k and fill with sludge and explode.....soo do you put regular oil in because 5% made it fine....soo because you had one or two instances they didnt fail.....your just gonna run with it. When one does fail, and it will, not if, I bet it will be the last time you dont replace everything.
The only "advice" in my post was to do what gives you peace of mind...do you disagree with that? Stating my opinion (agree or disagree) formed from personal experience (LOTS of it), full of disclaimers, is NOT advice...read a book...learn the language you claim to speak....stay in school.
And where does this "one car" crap come from? ...you gotta read all the words to pass the next pop quiz. Before my current A8 and Allroad, there were 3 P928's and 10+ VW's (and random other cars) of various makes before that...high mileage on most all of em. I would put 9 years of doing all repairs and maintenance on this one A8 ahead of your 5 minutes that one time you aired up a tire on one...not that many people take their cars to Walmart for tires n lube.
And once again you're just pulling statistics out of your ***, expecting them to be taken as fact. That may impress the fat girl with the lazy eye over in gardening, but she really thinks you're the stuff.
AudiWorld Newcomer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3
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From: Lithuania
Hey, guys. I am curious about VCDS measures in the first 10 measuring blocks. One of them says - "Ignition timing 0deg". According to me, it's the timing and it should be 0.
Mine shows various numbers - from 10 degrees up to 18 degrees during idle (when the engine has reached optimal temperature).
Any ideas?
Mine shows various numbers - from 10 degrees up to 18 degrees during idle (when the engine has reached optimal temperature).
Any ideas?