MB Engine Timing Belt

BackintheFold · 19-02-19, 01:32 PM

Before I remove the damper from the engine to remove old/fit new cambelt, is there a reason nobody removes the four allen bolts and separates the damper from the lower toothed wheel, leaving the damper attached?
I assume it is because those bolts snap off after being on there too long, or round off while trying to remove them??

mikes2 · 19-02-19, 01:42 PM

You really only need to separate them if the keyway on the crank pulley is damaged / cracked. If you use the locking tool and previous attempts have used it, there should be no reason to disturb.

I usually don't undo them. Makes it easier when refitting the cambelt to lift it in as a single assembly

BackintheFold · 19-02-19, 01:45 PM

Understood-but why remove the whole damper and pulley assembly anyway?

Why not just undo the four allen bolts and separate the damper, then slip the timing belt into position on the crank pulley?

I have the locking tool on its way to me now, bought from Germany.

mikes2 · 19-02-19, 01:52 PM

You can't remove the cambelt with the damper in place, so you still need the locking tool to undo the crank bolt to get the cambelt off the car.

Undoing those 4 bolts is extra work - with the crank bolt removed, removing the damper / pulley takes 10 seconds

BackintheFold · 19-02-19, 02:57 PM

Ah. So it isn't possible to remove the damper from the pulley just by removing the four bolts like it is on more modern Audis, the big centre bolt(!) must be removed as well.
cheers

mikes2 · 19-02-19, 07:17 PM

That's correct. The damper is held in place by the main crank bolt

Steve · 19-02-19, 08:51 PM

Change the crank pulley and camshaft oil seals whilst you're down there.

They don't cost a lot, but it's a lot of work to go back to them later.

BackintheFold · 19-02-19, 10:56 PM

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. New seals sound sensible to do now as well-mission creep anyone?
There's, like, 2,000 seals on eBay. Does anyone have Tej part numbers to hand please? If not I'll root around tomorrow for them
Cheers

mikes2 · 20-02-19, 09:07 AM

034115147A - crank seal

026103085F - cam seal

They're generic seals so widely available

BackintheFold · 20-02-19, 09:24 AM

Thanks mike that's very helpful. It does seem worthwhile fitting them while I have access, and I will see how the damper is bolted to the pulley while I'm in there, but I won't try removing just the damper this time.

19-02-19, 01:42 PM	#2
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	You really only need to separate them if the keyway on the crank pulley is damaged / cracked. If you use the locking tool and previous attempts have used it, there should be no reason to disturb. I usually don't undo them. Makes it easier when refitting the cambelt to lift it in as a single assembly __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

19-02-19, 01:52 PM	#4
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	You can't remove the cambelt with the damper in place, so you still need the locking tool to undo the crank bolt to get the cambelt off the car. Undoing those 4 bolts is extra work - with the crank bolt removed, removing the damper / pulley takes 10 seconds __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

19-02-19, 07:17 PM	#6
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	That's correct. The damper is held in place by the main crank bolt __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

20-02-19, 09:07 AM	#9
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	034115147A - crank seal 026103085F - cam seal They're generic seals so widely available __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

19-02-19, 01:45 PM	#3
BackintheFold Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Near an MB ur Quattro Posts: 1,171	Understood-but why remove the whole damper and pulley assembly anyway? Why not just undo the four allen bolts and separate the damper, then slip the timing belt into position on the crank pulley? I have the locking tool on its way to me now, bought from Germany.

19-02-19, 02:57 PM	#5
BackintheFold Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Near an MB ur Quattro Posts: 1,171	Ah. So it isn't possible to remove the damper from the pulley just by removing the four bolts like it is on more modern Audis, the big centre bolt(!) must be removed as well. cheers

19-02-19, 08:51 PM	#7
Steve Grown up member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 355	Change the crank pulley and camshaft oil seals whilst you're down there. They don't cost a lot, but it's a lot of work to go back to them later.

19-02-19, 10:56 PM	#8
BackintheFold Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Near an MB ur Quattro Posts: 1,171	Thanks for the comments and suggestions. New seals sound sensible to do now as well-mission creep anyone? There's, like, 2,000 seals on eBay. Does anyone have Tej part numbers to hand please? If not I'll root around tomorrow for them Cheers

20-02-19, 09:24 AM	#10
BackintheFold Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Near an MB ur Quattro Posts: 1,171	Thanks mike that's very helpful. It does seem worthwhile fitting them while I have access, and I will see how the damper is bolted to the pulley while I'm in there, but I won't try removing just the damper this time.