Court_Hardy

In my feeble attempt to change the thermostat in my 93 audi 90 CS, i pulled everything off the front of the engine. all the covers, everything to where all that was standing in my way was the timing belt. Well lets just say dont let your neighbor tell you how to do things even if he was a manager at the gm service center. we marked on the timing belt pulley the position of the belt, and loosened the tension to pull the belt off. well we got the belt off but the cam sort of "sprung" back and was now rotated about 3/4 of an inch to the right. neighbor said dont worry we'll just pull it back into place with my wrench, which is exactly what we did. after that he left, probably because he could sense the absolutly stupid mistake we had just made. and i proceeded to put all the covers and stuff back on. now i realize my problem. the engine wont start and my dad says the timing is screwed up. sure enough we pulled all the stuff back off and the left side is twisted about 1/4 inch further then the right side.

Now the question. Is there a way to line evrything back up? or did i just screw my whole engine by trying to start it while the timing was off? can i be sure the valves are bent? or should i still try to line the timing back up?

Does anyone know of a manual besides the bentley for this particular car? the bentley is of no help because it just talks about it as if everything lines up.

HELP ME PLEASE!!!
im a starving college student who cant afford it if the valves are shot.

kung_fu_4.2

I can post a pic when I get home if MikTip doesn't beat me to it. Then you line up the cam sprocket flanges and have somebody hold a wrench on the cam sprocket while you put the belt on at the sprockets - tight and work the slack TOWARD the belt tensioner. Have your helper also hold the belt on the sprockets while you crank in the tensioner, slip on the belt and then let it go. If everything still lines up, you can try to start it. ONly then will you know if it is ok. For futire reference....service managers know dick about cars. Their job is to screw people.

MikTip

<center><img src="http://home.ec.rr.com/miktip/tbelt.jpg"></center><p>

Court_Hardy

Thanks Rs_2.55 ,and Miktip. or whatever your real names are. Uhm just another question. we got everything lined up, except when we put it all back together and started it up the right side cam has moved one tooth out of wack. my dad, he is for all intents and purposes, the god of all mechanical work, said that the valves should not have hit the pistons after we started it up. he now thinks it has a miss in it and is saying it probably is just from the timing being off on that one side. I say its screwed up because one of the valves is bent. heaven help me if it is for i shall miss my audi. what do you think has happened? do you think running the engine has tagged the valves, or do you think that the timing is just off. and is the engine truly ZERO tolerence for missaligned timing? the engine sounded perfect when it was running, but when revved it did put out a small bit of smoke which scares me to death. its late, im rambling. Out.

MikTip

You should of never started it, or attempted to start it, without "knowing" for sure the timing was 100% correct. Because the V6 is an interferance engine.

Second, never attempt such maintenance, without some sort of referance material.

In both cases, your asking for trouble.

Old saying: "When in doubt-Dont!"

oddBALL

What about the trip to the moon.. you think they didnt doubt going lol

Court_Hardy

Miktip your knowledge is neverending. how do i know for sure if the valves are bent? will it make a sound like a ding ding ding? or will it just spit smoke like crazy? If the valves are bent what do you reccomend? tear the engine apart to fix it, which by the way costs about 4500 dollars? or should i opt for a rebuilt 2.8, or maybe just junk the car cause without the engine its worth nothing. I could always turn it into the 1.8t right monster right, or does that swap not work in the 93 90 non-quattro? anyways i appreciate you guys only laughing on the inside and not openly grilling my retarded ***. and thanks for all your help, any more suggestions would be nice.

MikTip

Auto mechanics is a learned skill.

Just like becoming a lawyer, doctor, or pilot.

You start small, and progress to more &amp; more difficult repairs, based on experience &amp; capability.

Some have a natural talent for it, others can do it for 30 years, and never get it right.

My best advise, to get it fixed quickly, seek out a mechanic with the skills, and expertise, to assist you with this problem. If you cannot find this service for free, or at a reduced fee, proceed onto the next higher level, a paid mechanic, at an "Audi Experienced" shop.

My hats off to you for your attempt, but it looks like you need help. Seek help in your local area.

If you insist on doing it yourself, locate every bit of information you can on the subject, and proceed cautiously, and always "verify" your work, before proceeding onto the next step. Above all, have overwhelming patience, and take your time. ;O)

Court_Hardy

Hey miktip, good news. I got it fixed. the timing is spot on and it sounds great. my dad, the mechanical genius i was telling you about, rigged up a leveling system for the cams and lined up the crank. needless to say it all works. the timing is spot on. anyway, i wanted to say thank you for the advice, and next time i wont let the "neighborhood mechanic" tell me its ok to remoe the timing belt. the audi is saved but i think its time to move on. i spotted an s6 that i have my eye on. oh yeah and can i get your email addy in case i need some more of your audi advice? thanks again.

MikTip

Re: You can always reach me here. ;O)