gijsd

I'd been slowly losing coolant so I took my '02 A4 1.8T Avant into my local shop to have it checked out. After having it pressure tested, it turns out the water pump was leaking. We decided that since we're going to be taking the water pump off anyway, and since the current timing belt has about 40k on it, that we'd replace the timing belt, etc. as well.

So, I order the kit from Pure Motorsport for the '02 A4 1.8T quattro. No problems.

Here's where it gets strange:
I called my mechanic back, and he's quite puzzled... It seems that my '02 A4 1.8T has the timing belt components of a '00 1.8T motor. They checked the engine code, and it's listed as a 2002, but he says that the timing belt components/tensioners/etc. match those that are generally found on the 2000 1.8T engines... Everything is threaded differently... He says they've never seen anything like this, and have NO idea why this may be.

Has anyone come across this before??

gijsd

So, I've been doing some more research, and am I right in thinking that this has to be either the AMB or AVJ engine? If so, could that cause the difference in timing belt components? It seems that the AVJ engine was sold in the UK, whereas the AMB was sold here in the US...

lyleswk

My US spec 02 has an AMB and I used the kit from ECS without any problem. I know there is a difference in the 04 and on kit, just not sure the reason. Have you owned that car since new?

gijsd

I'm the second owner. The timing belt/waterpump/etc have been replaced once before by a reputable shop in the northeast (I have copies of the receipts).

lyleswk

Then unless the previous owner had the motor replaced, not sure why it would be that different. Maybe Chris at ECS can enlighten us on the difference between the 2 kits they sell.

lyleswk

Had the hood / bonnet open to look into a PS leak this weekend and one thing jumped out at me. The engine type is on a large 1 x 2 inch aluminum "finger" that comes off the top right front of the head at about the height of the top of the timing belt cover "behind" the alternator. It had a big "AMB" etched into it. Take a look and see if yours has this.

s4master1

The awm engine uses the same belt,and dampener as the amb engine, the tensioner roller is almost identical,
AWM tensioner 06B 109 243 D
AMB tensioner O6B 109 243 E
same timing belt and water pump different thermostat

lyleswk

Did US spec B6's come with the AWM motor?

s4master1

no it was the very last few b5s
we see/replace at least 20 1.8 timing belts every month

MikekiM@PureMS

AEB 97-99 1.8T
ATW '00 1.8T
AWM '01 1.8T
AMB 02-05 1.8T

The AWM has a vin split, later '01 (termed '01.5) use the same components (except the serp belt) as the AMB.

I don't believe that the '00 timing belt kits can physically work on an AMB motor. I have however seen ATW blocks using AMB heads, so it's possible you may have some unusualy motor swap.

Feel free to get in touch with us with more details if you need help.