Additional jobs to do when changing cam belt

[lukeb]

Had a bit of a scare last weekend when I peeled the cam belt cover back to see if I could put off changing it until spring next year. As well as being nicely cracked & perished, there were about half a dozen points where the belt had split 1/5 across from the edge nearest the engine

So, an emergency belt changed is planned for this weekend and whilst I've got the front of the car in bits, I will change the water pump, thermostat, coolant and accessory belt. Possibly also the accessory belt tensioner, though that is a tad expensive to replace willy nilly. Are there any other worthwhile jobs I should consider at the same time? The car is otherwise up to date with basic servicing & filters. BTW car is a '99 A4 Avant 1.9TDI, engine code AVG, 108k on the clock.

[T89 Callan]

Do the cambelt tensioner as well.

[lukeb]

Ah, should have said, I got a cambelt 'kit' from GSF which includes the tensioner and top guide roller.

I notice they've given me a water pump with a plastic impeller, I was hoping for metal. Is it worth seeking out a metal impeller pump?

[eltax91]

lukeb said:

Ah, should have said, I got a cambelt 'kit' from GSF which includes the tensioner and top guide roller.

I notice they've given me a water pump with a plastic impeller, I was hoping for metal. Is it worth seeking out a metal impeller pump?

I'd have said so, isn't the plastic one notorious for going pop? If it does inside a few k miles, then you'll be doing another belt change. Not sure if the metal one is dealer only though.

[Tame Technician]

Dealer ones are all plastic, but the new ones are "said" to be modified to prevent the problems.

[lukeb]

Did some web searching and opinion certainly seems to be against the plastic ones. Tried another factor that had a plastic one from a different brand, but Euro car parts appear to show metal pumps from Circoli and KWP on their web shop. I think I'll pop round and see if it's true tomorrow.

[Pheo]

GSF do one for 2.0 TDI for £28+VAT I believe.

[lukeb]

Euro Car Parts to the rescue. The KWP brand pump has a brass impeller just as their website shows.

Job is going well, cam belt & water pump now fitted, tomorrow we flush the engine and refit the ribbed belts. ECP were even able to order me just the pulley from the alternator belt tensioner, whereas GSF only deal with whole tensioners @ £ouch.

Lots of oily gunge around the inlet pipework

[jjones]

what make/model/engine are you doing this to?

planning on doing a b6 a4 1.8t and tt 1.8t to be done thurs/friday. have the kits+metal impeller pumps and coolant. have you found any pit falls? any tips?

[lukeb]

This is to a 1.9 TDI, one of the last before they turned PD. In a B5 Avant.

From the Haynes, the petrols look quite different so I don't think I can offer much advice really. I farted around getting the viscous drive off before welding up a beefy peg spanner - don't bother with an angle grinder key 'cos it just bends. Being a diesel, the engine bay was a whole world of skank, so 6 applications of engine clean & pressure washer worked wonders. Also did the intercooler, which will now allow air to flow through it once more

The ribbed belt pulley was seized onto the toothed belt pulley, so the whole lot needed taking off and beating in a vice. Luckily the cam belt kit came with a new crank bolt. I found it easier to work by pulling the lock carrier as far away from the engine as possible by disconnecting some of the inlet pipes and loosening the clamps to the air con pipes. Allow plenty of time, it always takes longer the first time you do a job and I like to check & double check things as I'm putting them back. Last of all, good luck!