[200q20v] 3B replacement distributor

[Bernie Benz]

Peter Schulz <peschulz at cisco.com> writes:
> This distributor is definitely one of the areas where Audi failed at design
>and implementation.
The 20V list is currently going thru the same distributor thread.  FYI, I'm
forwarding my comments to them.

Audi's S5-20V engines apparently were their first engines to add a timing
chain to the valve drive train, and a plastic dist. gear.  Many other engine
designers have sucessfully used plastic dist gears for their quiet
advantage, but maybe not in series with both a timing belt and timing chain,
as is the case with the Audi 20Vs.  IMO, it is torsional vibrations caused
by loose timing belts and worn timing chains, as well as thermal aging of
the plastic gear, that eventually causes gear failure.  My recomendation:
check for belt tension and chain wear as distributor PM.

Bernie 


> From: Peter Schulz <peschulz at cisco.com>
> Date: Tue, 04 Sep 2001 16:54:59 -0400
> To: Bernie Benz <b.m.benz at prodigy.net>
> Cc: 200q20v <200q20v at audifans.com>
> Subject: Re: [200q20v] 3B replacement distributor
> 
> Bernie:
> 
> What?  the baby? Or the distributor?
> 
> I thought about her carrying the new distributor in the car and waiting
> until the current one fails - no need to "fix it until it's broke," ya know...
> 
> but then I thought that it might be a bit much to ask her to remove the old
> one and install the new one while juggling a baby and toddler at the same
> time.
> 
> and I also thought about waiting to buy a new one until after current one
> breaks, but the 3B specific distributor is evidently not that easy to find
> nor inexpensive.
> 
> ;^)
> 
> no---I plan to install the new distributor before the current one with the
> plastic gear fails.
> 

> This is definitely one of the areas where Audi failed at design and
> implementation.
> 
> Then again, they never intended us to replace just the cap and rotor - Audi
> intended the entire distributor be replaced as part of the tuneup
> - why else a plastic gear that can break and leave you stranded.?
> 
> 
> 
> 
> At 12:51 PM 9/4/2001 -0800, you wrote:
>> Are you going to let her carry the new one with her, just in case?
>> 
>> Bernie
>> 
>>> From: Peter Schulz <peschulz at cisco.com>
>>> Date: Tue, 04 Sep 2001 13:42:11 -0400
>>> To: 200q20v <200q20v at audifans.com>
>>> Subject: [200q20v] 3B replacement distributor
>>> 
>>> Anyone have a favorite source?
>>> 
>>> I don't need it (YET) but given that my very pregnant wife is driving our
>>> 200 with 162K miles, I'd like to think of it as preventing the inevitable.
>>> 
>>> TPC is out of stock...
>>> 
> 
> Peter Schulz
> 1990 CQ
> 1991 200 20v TQW
> Chelmsford, MA USA
> peschulz at cisco.com
> 
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