Timing Belt: Questions & Answers

Hello,

Vehicle, see signature.

I was being friendly and asked what the cost of a timing belt replacement was. They gave me a quote of 400 euros.
It included:
Timing belt with tensioner and idler pulley.
New V-belts (which are already removed).
Neue KW Schraube (die sagten daß die immer gewechselt wird. (For caution's sake)
New valve cover gasket because the valve cover needs to be removed to install the timing belt.

I then also inquired at a chain of workshops, not ATU but 1A-Autoservice, and they quoted me approximately 280 euros.

I also have someone who could perform the replacement privately. When buying a timing belt kit, what should I pay attention to? Are there good and bad manufacturers, or does it not matter? If the crankshaft bolt is stuck and is a 12.9 grade bolt, does it really need to be replaced?


Regards,
Michael.

Hello Michael,

If it's a branded Zylinderkopf-Reparatur-Kit (cylinder head repair kit) from a manufacturer like VW or Conti, and it includes the valve cover gasket.
Then you're looking at around 100-160 euros (depending on where you buy the items).

For the replacement process, private mechanics typically charge around 130-150 euros.

Balance sheet:

If you don't want to do it yourself, or if you can't, then let your trusted workshop handle it.
Or, take a quick course on the ZR gearbox, and get the parts from a parts supplier.
And for 100 euros plus 2-4 hours of work, you'll have everything done.

Best regards, Georg.

MichaelM wrote:

Does the KW screw, if it is tight and of grade 12.9, really need to be replaced?

No, if the old one is solid and the new one is still new, then you can leave the old one.

I changed it myself - although I have the transverse 1Z (which is the same as the AHU).

I took 5.5 hours with everything involved, of which 40 minutes were definitely spent getting that countersunk screw into the water pump for the timing cover .

"Besides, the camshaft wouldn't come loose... apparently, 40 Nm of torque generated enough interest to cover 10 years of fees."

The A6 AHU with its longitudinal engine likely has different requirements.
(An A6 with only 90 horsepower? Who would do that??)

But I would definitely leave the KW screw alone...

m;

Hello,

First of all, thank you for the answers.

The A6 C4 with the 90hp TDI is certainly not what one would call a rocket , but the performance is sufficient for the size and weight of the car. When I was buying it, it was important to me to have a large car with relatively low running costs. At the time, there were also no comparable cars from other manufacturers in this class with comparable performance and fuel consumption.


Regards,
Michael.