Urgent Ribbed belt help required

[A6Glider]

A6 2.5 TDI

2 Years ago I had the CAM and auxiliary belts replaced plus all other bits ie tensioner and apparently water pump (Although this did not appear on invoice) @ 69K miles.

However I've just had a failure of the Ribbed belt tensioner 16K miles later. This ment the whole job had to be repeated for an exorbident ammount of money. Since it also caused a lot of additional damage to casings, rollers even Viscous fan coupling.

Out of this came another problem, it transpired that the Ribbed belt has 3 rollers, the centre who undertook the work 2 years ago only replaced 2 of the 3 and you've guessed it it was the third which failed (this seems to be very bad engineering practice replacing 2 out of 3).

There seems to be a get deal of confusssion within Audi network / specialists as to what should be replaced as part of the CAM belt and Ribbed belt service.

Can anybody point me to an Audi procedure which details what work should be undertaken and what parts should be replaced. Particulary interested in Ribbed belt area, ie rollers and tensioner.

Also has anybody else suffered the same failure.

I have found a Tech Bulletin from the US for an S4 which recomends these be changed but need information for 2.5TDi.

[adamss24]

Hi, for the timing belt there are: 1 roller, 1 eccentric tensioner and 1 automatic tensioner (hydrolic) . Any dealer recomends replacing the tensioner and the roller, the automatic tensioner only needs replacing if it shows sign of wear and its a verry expensive item and its a pain to fit back on the engine. While you there , check the injection pump tensioner/replace and fit new belts. Also, while you there, check the water pump/replace as necessary bearing in mind that some of the genuine pumps had an plastic impeler thats prone to faill- get one from GSF or Euro Car Parts with a metal/alloy impeller-about 30 pounds. Also its wise to replace auxilliary belt + AC Belt and tensioner because they may fail( happened to me and all front of the car has to be removed again !) and they cost a fair bit to replace ! All belts and tensioners+ water pump will cost about 500 pounds, add the labour rate and it will be an expensive service !

[audinut]

On this subject, I have a 2002 2.5tdi which has clocked 68k miles. I checked the service manual for when the belts should be changed and on the page the cam belt change appears twice - once at 60k and again at 80k.
Anyone guide me as to which is right ?

[A6Glider]

Hi, for the timing belt there are: 1 roller, 1 eccentric tensioner and 1 automatic tensioner (hydrolic) . Any dealer recomends replacing the tensioner and the roller, the automatic tensioner only needs replacing if it shows sign of wear and its a verry expensive item and its a pain to fit back on the engine. While you there , check the injection pump tensioner/replace and fit new belts. Also, while you there, check the water pump/replace as necessary bearing in mind that some of the genuine pumps had an plastic impeler thats prone to faill- get one from GSF or Euro Car Parts with a metal/alloy impeller-about 30 pounds. Also its wise to replace auxilliary belt + AC Belt and tensioner because they may fail( happened to me and all front of the car has to be removed again !) and they cost a fair bit to replace ! All belts and tensioners+ water pump will cost about 500 pounds, add the labour rate and it will be an expensive service !

Didn't realise there are so many belts.
The one which failed drives the steering pump and alternator.
Looks like the tensioner roller tried to grind its way into a casing. Will post picture later.

[adamss24]

Thats the auxiliary belt then, aka. ribbed belt ! You asked about what needs replacing while changing the cambelt ! For the other question, the cambelt should be replaced every 5 years/60 K wichever comes first ! You should check/replace the belt if you have no history of when has been changed !

[audinut]

Er yep ... sorry. Thanks for the info. Better book it in then.

[shabazmo]

I my 2002 2.5tdi AYM engine the timing belt requires replacing every 80,000 mles. Incidently, at 105K the timing belt tensioner bolt failled causing the belt to jump jump. Fortunately no damage to valves or pistons. There are 4 belts that should be replaced 2 tensioners and one roller. I think thare was another roller that I did not replace since Audi didn't suggest it. I was also told that the water pumps never fail on these engines and not to bother replacing it.

[audinut]

I had the belt fail on a 944S2 some years back which set me back 1,950 pounds so this time I'm not chancing it. Booked in to be done at Stafford Audi on thursday for 395 pounds all in.
What's to do in Stafford all day while it's being done ?