Timing belt time

[Bernie Benz]

Mihnea,

My advice would be contrary to yours in some respects.

Realizing that belt tightening is a qualitative judgement, I would recommend
that it is better to error on the tight side than the loose.  Relative to
valve train torsional vibration resonant frequency, the belt must be tight
enough to insure that it is operating at its maximum spring rate.  Water
pump failures, IMO are 95% caused by seal failure, not directly by bearing
failure, and I'm all in favor of wine, any time.

Bentley's advice is all inclusive; "Reinstall all components in reverse
order of removal", meaning that it is a trial and error jig saw puzzle.
Don't forget to tighten all of the oil pump bolts.  I did, and a once dry
engine exterior now has a minor oil leak.

Bernie

> From: Mihnea Cotet <mik at info.fundp.ac.be>
> Date: Thu, 01 Aug 2002 19:03:06 +0200
> To: Brian Link <brianl at starsys.com>, "'200q20v at audifans.com'"
> <200q20v at audifans.com>
> Subject: Re: Timing belt time
>
> Brian,
>
> The crank locking tool will work exactly the same way as on the 10v...
> As for the waterpumps, Graf is said to be whining but I've installed at
> least 4 of them in the last year and had no whining noises at all.... the
> point is that you don't have to tighten the belt too much otherwise I think
> every water pump will whine and the bearing will be stressed, which could
> lead to premature failure...
>
> HTH,
>
>
> Mihnea