Re: Important FYI for I5 timing belt changes...

[Huw Powell <audi@mediaone.net>]

> While doing the timing belt, idler pulley, water pump and crank seal on
> my recently acquired '91 200q, I found something that probably gets
> overlooked.  At least I have overlooked it on previous jobs...
> 
> The problem was that I had an fairly significant oil leak after all the
> work was done that seemed to be coming from the oil pump gasket.  The
> front crank seal was replaced and had me concerned at first, but upon
> disassembly I found it was dry there.  All the bolts holding the lower
> belt cover on which go through the oil pump were properly torqued but
> covered with oil.
> 
> That's where the problem was.  The bolts that go through the oil pump to
> the block had sealant on them from the factory (and probably from the
> last timing belt job at the dealer), but I had failed to put it on this
> time.  I found no mention of this in the Bentley manual, but when I
> asked an Audi trained mechanic about it, he smiled and said, "That's how
> I know an Audi mechanic hasn't done the timing belt, they leak oil.
> They don't put everything you need to know in Bentley. (big smile)"
> Tricks of the trade I guess...  So at least one of the bolts goes into
> an oil gallery and the oil under pressure will work its way around the
> threads of an uncoated bolt and find daylight. 

Having just removed my oil pump to replace the gasket, I must beg to
differ, slightly.  None of the bolts go into/through oilways.

But, the eight bolts, two high, two low, three through the rear TB
cover, and one through the starboard accessory mount, need to be
tightened or oil will leak quite nicely around the gasket.  Sat when Tim
was done we discovered the three rear cover bolts were not tight, there
was quite a heavy flow of oil onto the cardboard...

It kind of irritates me that these bolts must be undone/redone to do the
WP/TB work.  Must be hard on the oil pump gasket, methinks.  Though I
guess if it really screwed them up there would be a lot more reports of
problems in that area.

PS my oil leak was never really pinpointed.  Could have just been the
stupid oil temp sensor in the pump leaking.  But with new gaskets all
around under there, it's gone.

-- 
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/

82 Audi Coupe; 84 4kq; 85 Coupe GT