holg

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/97090/img_4403.jpg"></center><p>While replacing the rattling water pump I decided to replace the thermostat and timing belt after 90.000km, as well. I tried to get that #3243 tool for rent, but the VAG dealers here in Dortmund are instructed NOT to give any tools away... Long short story: Again it worked very fine without that bar or crankshaft bolt, I found really no probs if everything is marked properly and handled carefully. Worst thing was the f****** water pump paper seal, I had to lift the servo pump a bit to be able to scratch the rests off the engine...

holg

The_Hamster

Worst case is the cams could be a couple of degrees off from each other, which isn't catastrophic.

Infact I've talked to guys who have done it with marking (no special tools), then got the tool after and tried to put it on the locked cam gears they had been driving on for awhile. It slipped on without issue without loosening the cam gears or anything like that, the cams were still lined up.

This isn't the case every time though, so for best results the tools are a good idea to get your hands on at some point.

20VT90q

For those new to the forum. The way you can easily tell it's a 2.6L and not a 2.8L is the unique intake manifold(top runners look differant/ no butterfly change over?) and the fact that 2.6L have no MAF. They run on differant programming.

austinado16

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/57225/cam_tool_misalignment.jpg"></center><p>This pulls the cams out of time and the result looks like this when you lay the cam holding tool against the cams....

Holg, I'd be glad to help ship you tools: cam bar, crank pin, and sprocket puller

DaveInSaltLake

Rebel...

holg

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/97090/marks.jpg"></center><p>But I realized that at the crank and the other cam. Of course I did not only mark the cams and crank, also the belt. I transferred these marks from the old belt to the new one - I simply had to count the teeth. If one cam spinned -and of course they did- I had to notice that at the next mark. In fact I did:-)

Thanks for the offer to ship the tools, but I think it wouldn´t be worth that. This kit is available here for about 60 EUR, but I didn´t have the time to wait for it, because the water pump made that noise. I didn´t want to risk anything...

holg

4Driver4

Yes, you can usually do an OK job without the tools.

Yes, the only way to assure that the belt is on right and the job is done correctly is to use the tools.

holg

Most small garages I asked for the toolkit ("free" garages not related to VW/Audi) said they don´t have the tool, it´s not necessary to do the job. They can´t have all tools for all cars; I do understand that. They know what they do - they can fix any car you give them by thinking about the problem and solving it with some workaround like marks. They simply do the right thing to any engine because they know how an engine works. They do their jobs since years; because they need the customers satisfaction, they can´t afford to fail: If it was not possible, they wouldn´t do.

Then there are the VAG garages. Of course they have any tool they need for all problems that can occur on any Audi. They have to work efficient and fast. The boys working there are often young - they are learning to do it the correct way. I understand that as well, and I won´t count on a 16 year old mechanic who does this the first time. I´m glad they have the tools;-)

All I want to say is:

Yes, the only correct way is using the tools. No risk. No damage possible, no need to think about any step. Just following the bentley WILL work.

and: Yes, it is possible without the tools - if you think about how an engine works and about the steps you do, there is NO BIG risk, but it still exists... if you work carefully -and I do, I can´t afford a new car after all repairs I do- the risk is deleted. Of course if someone never saw a TB before it´s better to use the tools;-)

There are so many discussions around that mystic timing belt (here in German Audi-forums, as well), I just wanted to post that it´s not too hard at all.

holg

DaveInSaltLake

where the 30V in the wife's A4 lacks the power I think the V6 should have. Anecdotal evidence indicates "Big O Tires" did the last timing belt change...clearly without a tool, given the white marks on the sprockets. It "looks" right, but it bothers me enough that I've ordered a used cam tool to be certain it's right. (yes, the 12V and 30V V6 motors use slightly different tools)

The last few times we've been thru this the thing that struck me is that you can do the TB job without the tool. If you're experienced or lucky you'll probably be just fine. The real risk (other than bending valves) is leaving a few horsepower on the table if the cams are a few degrees off.

Everybody has their priorities, sounds like getting the job done 'now' was Holg's. The job is simple enough that it could certainly be checked with the tool in the next few months and adjusted if necessary.

Bmthorn

You just can't be 100% sure your timing is perfect without them, and there's a very good chance it won't be.