Re: Audi V6 timing belts...

[Chris Newbold <cnewbold@transarc.com>]

Well, I tried again and was almost successful...

Following your tips, I was able to get the serpentine drive belt off,
remove the tensioner (with no violent reaction from the spring), and
remove
the timing covers.

The first thing that I discovered was that there are no reference marks
for the cam sprockets. There is a diamond-shaped plate bolted onto each
cam shaft, which has two holes, at opposite ends of the long axis of the
diamond.

As I later found out, you're supposed to align the crank at the timing
mark, with the two larger holes in the diamond plates pointing towards
the center of the engine (might need another 360 deg. on the crank to
do this). Then, there's some special template tool that you install on
the front of the engine to lock the cams in place and together.

I started to remove the eight hex bolts that hold the crankshaft
damper/pully together. Only about 1 1/2" clearance down there in
a 90... (many skinned knuckles and severly bruised arm!), but I got
the first seven off. The eighth stripped.

I tried liquid wrench, etc., etc. to see if I could break it loose,
but the hex was too far gone. So, I had to put the whole d**n thing
back together and give up.

Any ideas on how to get that stripped bolt out?

I might have been able to do something if I had more room to manuver
down there... In theory, removing some frontal components would
help, but the radiator, fans, hoses, etc. are all mixed up with the
A/C system and there's no way to get the other stuff out without
having to disconnect the A/C hoses...

Many thanks, Steve, for your tips.

-Chris