Timing belts-just a friendly reminder

B6 A4
#1

I though I should let you guys know that on my 3.0, I had the timing belt done at 65k. At 65k, it was MORE than due for replacement. Mine was cracking and the edges were starting to fray.

Hopefully JHM will offer a timing belt kit for you guys. According to Audi, you need a special cam lock tool which is über expensive and hard to find. You only need it if you are replacing the came seals. The guy that did mine is a season 2.7t owner and he owns his own shop. He told me the cam seals don’t need to be done unless they are leaking. Imdont know if this is really true or not, but when I sold the car at 77k they were fine. Point is, you don’t need the slick tool thus making this DIY-able. My guy just marked the positions of the old belt on each gear and then transferred that to the new belt.

Just letting you guys know, so you don’t have a snapped belt spoil your fun.

#2

Great info joe. This is a great Just so you know warrning post that most guys should take saerious. Ive seen several older 2000+ audis with belts that went at the dealers. This is something serious

#3

and just how serious is this?

Well, for those that don’t know, the 3.0 engine is NOT a free spinning engine. This means that if the cams get out of time with the crank, the pistons are going to connect with the valves. No ifs, ands or buts.

You will end up with bent and/or broken valves, damaged pistons and probably damaged heads as this valve heads are driven into the underside of it.

Re-read my brothers (Lout Jnr) build thread for pictures of the damage.

#4

Thanks for the reminder, Joe. We do already have a Timing Belt Kit for the 3.0: http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalog/jhm-b6-a4-30-v6-timing-belt-kit-p-788.html

http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalog/images/B6_A4_30L_V6_T-belt_Kit.jpg

Please let us know if you guys have questions about this job. We’ll be performing one on our in house B6-A4 3.0 shortly and should have an instructional video for you.

#5

Keaton, I would add a few things as options to that kit. You are going to need coolant obviously. The other thing is the accessory belt tensioner. It’s a nice spring one unlike the stupid one on the S4, but the bearing has a high failure rate. Mine failed at 65k or so. It’s one of those “replace it while you’re in there” parts.

#6

Thanks for the suggestion, Joe. We actually sell both of those items on our site already:

Belt Tensioner (Accessory) For B6 A4 w 3.0L V6 can be found here: http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalog/belt-tensioner-accessory-for-b6-a4-30l-v6-p-767.html

http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalog/images/B7_A4_30_Accessory_belt_tensioner_06C903133B.jpg

And Coolant - Antifreeze (Lifetime) OEM replacement - 1.5 Liter can be found here: Coolant - Antifreeze (Lifetime) OEM replacement - 1.5 Liter

http://jhmotorsports.com/shop/catalog/images/Pentosin_Coolant.jpg

We’ll work on adding those parts and fluids as options for that kit. If we group everything together, we should be able to pass some of those savings along to you guys.

Thanks for the feedback!

#7

On a side note: An S4 serp kit with the belt, idler, and tensioner would be a great idea.

#8

Still curious why nobody has mentioned doing a chain for this car?

If a SC is on its way I for one do not want to be using a belt under boost. I want my motor built and a chain, so that I may turn the boost up whenever i wish :slight_smile:

#9

That seems like a really heavy modification to me… Chains are always inside the engine casing aren’t they? How would that even work?

#10

A chain conversion would be a huge job. All new pulleys, guides for the chains, not to mention finding a way to seal it off so it can have a nice oil bath.

What’s wrong with a timing belt boosted car? RS6, B5 S4, both belt driven.

#11

I have no idea how they work, It just seems to me like on a car with belt problems a chain would be better. The only reason i thought of this was because I think I was looking in a thread for the RS4, and I saw someone had a chain so it made me think why can’t the 3.0 have a chain?

#12

Maybe we could get some heavy duty belts made by someones? I’ve heard of kevlar belts being popular.

#13

Believe me, you DON’T want chains. Ask any B6/7 S4 owner. It’s a dark cloud looming over all of our heads