[s-cars] A4 timing belt change - need help with BTDT

[David Kase]

Thanks Cody.

On Thu, May 13, 2010 at 3:47 PM, Cody Forbes <cody at 5000tq.com> wrote:

> I'll start with saying that you mean "while I prepare to take the heads
> back off my disco" becauseofcourse it's just a matter of short time until it
> needs headgaskets.... again ;-)
>
>
> "Lock carrier" is the term VAG uses to describe the front bit of car the
> holds the hood latch/radiator/etc. The mid 90's cars are actually an oddity
> to an extent as the old 5000's had it setup so you removed the lock carrier
> as a unit as opposed to the C4 setup where the top rail is separate and the
> rest is sorta pieced together by other parts. The new cars (B5, C5, etc)
> went back to the old setup where it's all one big bit that the rad, lights,
> a/c etc bolts to.
>
> If it weren't for changing the water pump you don't even have to drain the
> coolant.
>
> -Cody (mobile)
>
> On May 13, 2010, at 2:00 PM, David Kase <dbkase at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Wow, I feel ignorant (more so than than usual even).  What are we talking
> about here?  Moving the rad support forward?
>
> I always just removed the rad and took out the rad support center section
> on the B3, B4 and C4.  The condenser would swing out and I had all the room
> I needed.
>
> I can take pics with the great instructions provided - thanks Cody.
>
> All this will go down when I get the heads back on my Disco - (yeah, I went
> "there")
>
>
>
> On Thu, May 13, 2010 at 1:23 PM, Cody Forbes < <cody at 5000tq.com>
> cody at 5000tq.com> wrote:
>
>> It's more than two bolts, but it is cake. It's been a few years so this
>> may be imperfect, but:
>>
>> 1) under pan off
>>
>> 2) Bumper cover off. 3 T15 Torx in each wheel well hold the cover to the
>> fender liner. Two 8mm headed Allen bolts hold the bumper assembly. Access
>> them by popping out the foglight grills simmilar to an urS. If the car has
>> fog lights you'll need to disconnect the wire to each. Slide the bumper
>> forward a bit. Sometimes (usually) they are very, very stuck. If so you need
>> to pull outwards on the rear edge of the bumper cover very hard. You'll
>> think it's going to break, then pull harder. It'll eventually co-operate.
>> Once loose you can slide it most of the way off. Last step is to unclip and
>> separate the headlight washer hose. Clamp the line or have a bucket handy.
>> Ooh, I just remembered something. B6 a4's had a row of three bolts per side
>> holding the upper edge of the bumper cover to the fender and they suck to
>> reach.
>>
>> 3) lock carrier in service mode. You'll need 2 "special tools" which are a
>> 8x1.25 thread bolt as long as you can find, 4" minimum, 6" prefered. You'll
>> notice the bumper shocks held on by 3 T45 (maybe T50) Torx bolts each, don't
>> remove them yet. Near the bumper shock on one side you'll find an extra T45
>> torx just like the bumper shock bolts. Remove it and insert the "special
>> tool". Near the other bumper shock in a simmilar position you'll notice the
>> spot to put the other "special tool". Now remove the bumper shock bolts.
>> There's also a T25 or T30 on each side of the car (it's black) and four more
>> holding the lock carrier near the fenders (also black). Unplug the headlight
>> wiring on each side, but there is no need to pull the headlights. Now grab
>> the bumper shocks and pull the lock carrier forward. It'll slide a good bit
>> out. If you want more room find whatever is hanging you up and undo it. When
>> reinstalling everything make sure the bumper shock bolts land right into the
>> marks from before and everything will be aligned properly.
>>
>> This whole deal should take half an hour the first time, and ten minutes
>> every time after that.
>>
>> I'm moving so my pc is packed away... Somebody should wikify that. Kase
>> should take pictures ;-). I'll be doing the t-belt on an allroad in a week
>> or so, I'll take pics of that too but the process is essentially the same.
>>
>>
>>
>> -Cody (mobile)
>>
>>
>>
>>