Audi 80 2.6 (ABC Engine)Timing belt replacement procedure

[quattro101]

Well, after asking lots of Q's. I am going to attempt the replacement of the cambelt on a 2.6 1995 80' quattro.
Ive fitted belts on other vehicles succesfully.....but...I am not using a locking tool -rather as one member put it.....'tippex and pray'...I hope to be a little more careful and accurate than this, and am able to call on extra pairs of hands to steady things as I fit the new belt.
I am however...loathe to pay circa £100.00 for a one-off tool or £200.00 worthgs of garage fees-especially since my local garage dont have a locking tool either!!
One thing im unsure of.....
Am I correct in thinking that the tensioner is spring loaded- and therefore the belt tension is automatic on fitting a the new tensioner?

All constructive comments welcome....tips, potential pitfalls etc

Cheers.....Steve

[scotty33]

2.8 procedure here:

http://www.12v.org/maintenance/repairs/tbelt.php

Should be the same on the 2.6? And they recommend using the special tools...

Suppose they would have to being an american site?

[Crasher]

Without the locking pin and bar you will have to go for the “Tipex and pray” approach but it may not be as accurate as it would with the bar and pin.

[quattro101]

Thanks for the info guys....particularly the American site. I had however completed the job by the time I read them. All went well, and I managed to replace the thermostat(which turned out to be just a stat-housing with nothing inside-very starnge/suspicious)....however she is now reaching and maintaining the stat temp of 87 degrees and is running well. Refitting the timing belt/ tensioner was relatively trouble free. I needed the help of an assistant to hold the right-hand cam in place and put tension on the belt whilst I held the left cam an fitted the belt. I didnt have a tensioning tool so useda pair of long nosed pliers to locate in the two holes on the tensioner unit and apply pressure. I tensioned the belt so that I could just about get it through 90 degrees in the centre point of its longest length between two cogs.

So now to sort this momentary loss of revs when I let out the clutch!!!...any ideas/??...also the engine seems flatter than it should be when i put my foot down in 1st/2nd. Once it reaches 3,000rpm the power really kicks-in....maybe the problem are realated?????.....

Cheers.....Steve

[pirate323i]

sounds like the timing is slightly out...