Timing Belt Replacement: No Diagnostic Tool Needed?

Hello,

On my Audi A4, 110 horsepower, manufactured in December 1997, the odometer reads 180,000 km.
A timing belt replacement.

The last time I did something like this myself was...
On my Golf 1, with a 55 horsepower, 1.6-liter engine.

Back then, you had to use a special measuring device to re-measure the...
Check and, if necessary, correct the injection timing.

Now I've read the report in 'Auto Service Praxis' that...
Now, this is usually done with a diagnostic device.

1) Do you think that is necessary?
2) Yes, I saw that there's software available here.
and what can you do with an adapter?
3) What kind of adapter would I likely need for my car?

Regards,

Brocky.

-> technical articles -> troubleshooting & guides > checking and adjusting the 1.9 TDI rotary injection pump.

-> technical articles -> troubleshooting & guides > timing belt replacement guide


1: Yes.
2: Yes.
3: One of the offered devices, or a functionally equivalent one (opto-couplers or minimal interfaces may not necessarily work on every computer).

CU Gremlin.

It can also be done with a dial indicator, but please read the 'Hähnlein MegaMonster cold start thread' to understand the potential risks involved.

Conclusion: While the basic setting with a dial indicator is limited, it can be dynamically adjusted after checking.

Thank you for the quick response.

So, is this part enough?

a)

http://shop.dieselschrauber.de/product_info.php/products_id/36

or does it have to be something like that:

b)

http://shop.dieselschrauber.de/product_info.php/products_id/41

or even not at all.

c)

http://shop.dieselschrauber.de/product_info.php/products_id/45
The price is somewhere between 100 and 300 euros.

What are the minimum requirements, or what would you recommend?

If it's supposed to be a 300 Euro part, I'd rather go to a workshop.
'Over there, the cost of changing it at a VW/Audi service center is 320 euros.'

The adapter doesn't really matter. You can choose between COM or USB depending on your preferences and available options.

However, you need a full version of VAG-COM.
or someone you know who already has the adapter and software, or who works at VAG and can lend it to you for the 1551 diagnostic procedure...

CU Gremlin.

Okay, I'll get the full version of VAG-COM.
add and then possibly...

Please provide me with this adapter.

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30921&item=7905824236&rd=1

or should one generally avoid using such eBay adapters?

Regards,

Michael.

Okay, if you're asking me, as someone who uses adapters, I would advise against buying from eBay. If you happen to have problems with the adapter from here, you'll get support. With eBay products, they probably won't be able to support you. The support offered by sellers there is also terrible because they're only focused on selling. Also, on eBay, you'll almost exclusively find those optocoupler interfaces that are known to cause problems.

Furthermore, on eBay, you almost exclusively find optocoupler interfaces that are prone to causing problems.

Yep, I actually have one of those here right now, for modification purposes.

opto-adapter according to Jeff's interface. The optos were rendered unrecognizable using a Dremel.

It's unnecessary to mention that the adapter, despite its etched circuit board and actually nice design, is junk. It constantly loses connection.
If I look at my hastily assembled setup... it ran for 6 hours straight without any interruptions .

from eBay only with a 100% guarantee regarding the type of adapter and corresponding options for making claims...

A small piece of wisdom from India: A cheap thing is not a good thing. A good thing is not a cheap thing.

CU Gremlin.

Thank you for the feedback.

Well, actually, the guy in the eBay ad is even advertising the fact that he doesn't use optocouplers, but a MAX232 instead.

Do you think he's lying?

Hmmm...

'Trying is better than just reading about it. But: I once ordered tachofolies from this guy. It also said: 'No cheap printing on your home PC and no ink splatters.' First, it took 5 weeks because there was no template available for a DZM (a type of engine) with 5500 RPM, which is common for TDI engines. Then, when the stuff finally arrived, after a lot of threats, it was the worst quality imaginable...'
Decide for yourself! It's also strange that he has a new name again...

Hmm,

Okay, I guess I should probably order here after all.

Possibly the kit.
'Hey, do you think the €65 price is justified for the kit?'
Are the installed components that expensive? A small profit margin, up to about 10%, is okay, but anything more is not.

Regards,

Michael.

Are the 65 euros justified for the kit?
Are the installed parts that expensive?
Mit einer geätzten Platine und dem ODB-Stecker ist der Preis völlig in Ordnung. Alleine den Stecker wirst du kaum unter 15Euro bekommen, obwohls 'nur' ein Stück Plastik mit Kontakten ist. AbHe's just rare.

Regards,
Private.

'Do you think the €65 price for the kit is justified?'
Are the installed components that expensive? A small profit margin, up to about 10%, is okay, but anything more is not.


The price is definitely justified. It includes everything you need (OBD connector, shareware version of VAGCom on CD with a nice menu, and a €10 voucher if you decide to purchase the full version of VAGCom). I also have the adapter, and it works perfectly.

Best regards, WarLord.