1998 A6 timing belt and oil leak

[Patrick Opsahl]

There was a request to describe the procedure.  I'll give a condensed
version.  The detailed version would be the Bently manual.

Lift front end to a suitable working height, you will have to access the
underside.  Remove front wheels.  Remove engine covers and bottom  pan.
Remove front bumper.  Move radiator assembly to service postion.  This
positions radiator away from engine about 5 to 6 inches.
Remove fan, ribbed belt tensioner (loosen tension first), ribbed belt and
top ribbed belt pulley.
Remove toothed belt covers.  Align crankshaft and camshafts to TDC.  Insert
special tool in left side of engine block to lock crankshaft into position.
Remove harmonic balancer.  Loosen toothed belt tensioner.  Remove toothed
belt, tensioner and pulley (all 3 of these come new with kit).  Drain
coolant.  Remove water pump.

Install new water pump.
If you are going  to replace the crankshaft or camshaft seals now is the
time.
Install new toothed belt pulley, tensioner and toothed belt.  Here you use
the special tool to make sure the camshafts stay in postion during toothed
belt installation.  Tension the tensioner.  Install toothed belt covers.
Install harmonic balancer, ribbed belt pulley, ribbed belt tensioner and
ribbed belt.
I replaced the valve cover gaskets at this time.
Add coolant.  I changed the oil and filter.
Removed crankshaft locking tool.
Return the radiator assembly to its original position and install front
bumper.
Started motor, checked for leaks, engine sounded smooth so timing must be
correct?
Install front wheels, lower car and test drive, engine sounds and runs
smooth - no timing issues, all OK.

This should give some idea of what I went through.  I have a good supply of
tools since I do most of my own repairs. You will need a set of metric hex,
metric wrenches, metric sockets and a torx bit.

Patrick Opsahl


From: "Patrick Opsahl" <patrick_opsahl at hotmail.com>
To: quattro at audifans.com
Cc: aalok at uchicago.edu, fast928 at prodigy.net, j.d.larson at verizon.net,
	chris.miller at bentleypublishers.com
Subject: Re: 1998 A6 timing belt and oil leak
Date: Tue, 19 Nov 2002 08:29:49 -0800

I completed the timing belt replacement this weekend.  My original inquirey
was from several months ago and those that responded assured me that I could
do it.  The mileage on the car reached 93,000.  Bentleypublishing says it
should be changed at 90,000.  I went with the timing belt kit from Blau.
This included timing belt, pulley, tensioner, water pump and antifreeze.
Also did the serpentine belt kit and valve cover gaskets.  They rented me
the special tools.  The Bentley manual proved to be the most needed item,
although at times I found myself rewriting parts along the way.  Technical
writing is a fine art.  I did not notice any cracks in the removed timing
belt but the serpentine was cracked in several places.  Total time to
complete was 10 hours.  Money saved from having the dealer do it was $1000.
Extra thanks to Aalok Kacha, Andrew Lundy, Chris Miller and John Larson.
Also the people and service at Blau impressed me enough to use them again.

>----- Original Message -----
>Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2002 3:38 PM
>Subject: 1998 A6 timing belt and oil leak
>From: "Patrick Opsahl" <patrick_opsahl at hotmail.com>
>
>I have a 1998 A6, 2.8L V6 and triptonic auto with 89,000 miles.  Is >the
>timing belt replacement due at 75,000 miles?
>If so, I will try to replace it myself, difficult job, special tools?
>Should I get the bentley service manual first?
>I am also experiencing a slow oil drip from some where off the front >of
>the engine.  Anybody have similar experience?  Valve cover >gaskets?  When
>I do the timing belt I would like to have all the >gaskets and seals ready
>to replace at the same time.
>Any suggestions on what seals and gaskets to buy before I start?
>Also where can I purchase these parts, timing belt and tools at a
reasonable cost?
>
>Patrick
>Modesto, CA






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