Cambelt Change

[MikeA4tdi]

I'm relatively good with the spanners, currently building a kit car.
but cambelts give me the fear!

How long should I give myself for a first time change of a a4 110 tdi 1997.
The last belt I did was on a 8v scirocco. What other bits should I do while I'm there?
That assuming I fix the slight power issue!
Thanks

Mike

[adamss24]

Once you do one it will be a doddle ! Replace the watter pump while you there + the aux. drive belts and AC belt. Remember that you need to set the engine at TDC first, lock the pump and camshaft then after fitting the belt and tensioner you will need to time the pump dinamically, with diagnostic equipment, engine at 80 degrees Celsius and in basic settings ! It would help if you have a Haynes or workshop manual.

[MikeA4tdi]

I've got a haynes manual but they often make things sound easy.
How long to do the job?
It seems the front bumper etc needs to come off, does this take long?

[adamss24]

About 20 min to remove the bumper + lock carrier, the hardest part is to prise off the clips that hold the bumper in place on the side. Mark the position of the bolts securing the reinforcing bar mounts as it will take ages to line up the bumper. Give yourself a weekend to work on the car, take your time and note where each bolt/fastener go. Take lots of pictures to help with refitting. If there is something amiss, let us know and i will try to guide you trough. It takes longer to type a reply on the forum than to speak on the phone. Regards, Chris-077 899 1212 8. If you are close to N. London, i could help you, otherwise, if you dont wanna mess with it, i charge £220 all in and i throw in a diagnostic check + a fresh coolant refill. For your dosh you get: Contitech cambelt kit (tensioner, relay roller + belt), aux. drive belt, AC belt, Meyle/KWP uprated watter pump (with metal impeler), G12 coolant and dynamic setting of the diesel pump...and you can watch as well ! If i do it, it takes about 4-4.5 hours.... Hope this helps !

[MikeA4tdi]

At that price do you fancy a trip up to near northampton? I've got to get my power loss problem sorted first.

Any good with airbag warning lights?

I'll have a look this week and take it from there.
Are you a weekend only enterprise?

Thanks

Mike

[rchiileea]

About 20 min to remove the bumper + lock carrier, the hardest part is to prise off the clips that hold the bumper in place on the side. Mark the position of the bolts securing the reinforcing bar mounts as it will take ages to line up the bumper. Give yourself a weekend to work on the car, take your time and note where each bolt/fastener go. Take lots of pictures to help with refitting. If there is something amiss, let us know and i will try to guide you trough. It takes longer to type a reply on the forum than to speak on the phone. Regards, Chris-077 899 1212 8. If you are close to N. London, i could help you, otherwise, if you dont wanna mess with it, i charge £220 all in and i throw in a diagnostic check + a fresh coolant refill. For your dosh you get: Contitech cambelt kit (tensioner, relay roller + belt), aux. drive belt, AC belt, Meyle/KWP uprated watter pump (with metal impeler), G12 coolant and dynamic setting of the diesel pump...and you can watch as well ! If i do it, it takes about 4-4.5 hours.... Hope this helps !

MMM even though I picked up a nice cheap left in garage 97 TDI with 76,000 miles on the clock, and the cam belt was done at 60,000 miles this is still very very tempting... always been one for doing a cambelt when i get a car... better get some pennies together then.... especially as i am in edgware (any discount for helping... :P)

[adamss24]

Hi, i actually charge more the people who try to help, as i often need to double check everything...! Thats a very good price considering the amount of quality kit you get for your money. Parts alone cost £160 on trade + £15 for the G12 antifreeze and so i charge less than 12 quid a hour for labour and i dont cut corners ! I do this for fun and to help others, not making any profit after all. Regards, Chris.

[wallis22]

Chris,

I just wondered, how much would you charge all in minus the diagnostics check, coolant change, aux belt, and air con belt, as i've just changed my coolant and aux belt, and my car doesn't have air con. The car is a 1995 A4 1.9 TDI (90BHP).

Also, would you be prepared to travel to Bushy, Watford to do the work?

I have my car booked into a garage on Tuesday as it needs a new clutch so if you could get back to me before then i'd appreciate it.

Many thanks
Shaun

[adamss24]

Chris,

I just wondered, how much would you charge all in minus the diagnostics check, coolant change, aux belt, and air con belt, as i've just changed my coolant and aux belt, and my car doesn't have air con. The car is a 1995 A4 1.9 TDI (90BHP).

Also, would you be prepared to travel to Bushy, Watford to do the work?

I have my car booked into a garage on Tuesday as it needs a new clutch so if you could get back to me before then i'd appreciate it.

Many thanks
Shaun
Hi shaun, the diagnostic check i still need to do as the pump needs to be set in dynamic mode, with the engine running, the drive belt dont cost much- you save about £12 inc. VAT, coolant still needs to be replenished as it will be nearly none left in the engine when i disconect the radiator and the water pump... I would love you to came to me if you want it done early ... If you get back to me with a reg. number i would give you a quote traveling to you and one if you came to me ! Regards, Chris- 077899 12128.

[wallis22]

Thanks for the reply Chris. I did think it would be able the same price as the aux belts are very cheap.

I'm going to ring Audi on Monday because i've just remembered the timing belt on my car was a recall. All timing belts fitted (on the A4) before July 1996, i think it was, were recalled. Does that mean Audi will replace it for free? Would i have to prove it hasn't already been replaced? There's nothing in the service bok to show it has been replaced. The car has just passed 100k miles, do you think that would be a problem? As in will Audi just turn around and say it should have already been replaced?

I'll get back to you on Monday after i find out what Audi say.

Thanks for your help.