DIY for setting timing?

B6/7 S4/RS4
#1

Hello,

I just joined here due to the high quality content, thank you for that.

I’m going to be tackling the timing guides here pretty soon. I’ve located the DIY for the engine removal and that seems easy enough. ( thank you Joey! ) But I can’t find anywhere a DIY for setting the timing or replacing the guides. Is there one floating around out there?

Also, I’ve never taken this motor put before but have other engines in the past. Being that the back of the motor is going to be worked on, can you mount the engine to a stand from the front? I would presume no, so if not how do you mount the engine to work on it?

Lastly, beyond the AC compressor, is there anything else that should be replaced since I’m back there and the motor is out anyway? I’ve already got JHM headers, 034 LWFW and Kevlar clutch.

Thank You in advance.

#2

Hello welcome over!
I’m sure there is atleast one good timing diy floating around. I have a subscription to alldata.com. if you want I can shoot you a copy of the pages that outline the timing job. I see most people using stands that cradle the engine and I’ve see strait bench work. You’re in the right place for answers. Wish you luck! Take lots of pictures.

#3

Welcome you are in the right place and welcome.

Yes there is one decent DIY walk though on here. Most of the good stuff is moved into the DIY section so check that.

But if its helpful a few things. One you need to rent or buy the timing tools. JHM rents them so that can save you a few dollars. But once you have the timing tools its not too bad. Your number 2 cylinder is actually your DTC point on the motor. The timing tools will give you a pin and you pull the plug out of the bottom of the motor located in the block and you screw the pin in and it helps keep the motor in place where the motor cant rotate out of its spot. Its kinda a cool thing.

From there the tools only line up one way on the heads. When you get the tools and get the motor ready feel free to make another post or update this one and we can all walk you through the steps.

I used to have a bunch of pictures but my old hard drive on my computer took a crap so lots of stuff like timing and other pics I dont have. Other wise I would put something together to try and help you more.

#4

I have a couple engine craddles for sbc’s but I was thinking of modifying it to bolt up to our engines. Would make a great type of stand to do engine work on.

The ones I have are like this but with no wheels

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performance+Products/555/80064/10002/-1?CAWELAID=1710606872&CAGPSPN=pla&catargetid=230006180003464303&cadevice=c&gclid=Cj0KEQjw5ti3BRD89aDFnb3SxPcBEiQAssnp0lqniNRODhVK_ra-CUbXc0OiTfAQmhfOZgLR13tEjbEaArb18P8HAQ

#5

I bought a hydraulic cart to do mine on, with a block of wood under the shallow section of the oil pan it is surprisingly stable. The engine made no movement even when torqueing the large bolts, it was nice because I could still move the engine around and lift it up and down depending what I was doing. Mine was a princess auto one but I’m sure harbor freight has them in the states, I picked it up second hand for a couple hundred bucks and I could probably turn around and sell it after for the same if I decided to. Good luck, I just finished timing mine up. I picked up the ebahn cd/online version, helped a lot even when torqueing all the rear covers etc as it gives you the sequence to follow.

#6

Also, take a good look through this thread it gives you an idea of what you may run into for wear items primarily power steering lines.

http://audirevolution.net/forum/index.php?topic=3359.0

#7

Any chance you could post a pic of the cart? I was gonna pick up material to make a stand Monday but this sounds better

#8

Thank You for the replies. I’ll be starting this project in the next couple weeks. Need to prep the garage first, lol.

As for the stand. I’ve seen a few pics and it just seems that people are putting the engine on a table. It must be something I’ll understand better once I have the engine out. I just can imagine resting the engine on the oil pan like that.

#9

Here’s a pic, I know it looks a bit sketchy but it was extremely stable on it. I had it pushed closer to the front because when it was lifted up I wanted the weight over the center of the lifting arms. I would always lower it when I was finished working, rating says it was good for 650lbs and I read our engines are roughly 450lbs dry.

It worked out well for me

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/malcman/Mobile%20Uploads/20160110_144839_zpseq4oqesn.jpg

#10

I had actually planned on drilling through the cart and making a mount set up for it but once I got the engine there I tried to move it and it didn’t budge so I left it. I’m a pretty careful person when it comes to that stuff, I felt 100% comfortable with it on there. I always lowered it when I had to move it around obviously.

#11

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/malcman/Mobile%20Uploads/20160112_184952_zpshwaltopk.jpg

#12

I like that. Seems like a great option for mobility, especially when I need to keep the wife’s side of the garage open for her. I’ll have to look into one of those.

#13

I did not want to set the engine on the oil pan, so I spent probably way too much time making this custom 2x4 support. All the weight was on the engine & snub mount locations and the spots where the Audi special table would have supported it. I used dowel rods and washers as guides for the special mounting locations. This one doesn’t roll around though. But it was hella sturdy. :smiley:

http://i.imgur.com/Dl5OZyR.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HRAC9wo.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/kVTioVt.jpg