1.8T Cam-belt tensioner differences?

[AndyCollins]

Hi guys

Have just been making a few calls to get quotes for a cam-belt change. I have spoken to one guy from what I have been told is a reputable independant Audi specialist, who said the price for the cam-belt tensioner parts could vary, as Audi changed the type of tensioner used in 1999. Apparantly the older version part is around £37, while the new version is around £80. He said that he will not be able to tell which type it is untill he takes it appart to have a look.

Does this sound correct? or is he talking a load of ****? I have a sneaking suspicion, that if I go in there once my car is in bits I will be told that mine is the later, more expensive, type. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Cheers
Andy

 

[imported_Yaseen]

I was told once about audi changing the number of the teeth on the belt but not about the tensioner.

If you give him your engine no, and if needed the chassis no, I would assume he could tell you the cost over the phone- call a Audi Dealer give them your reg etc and they should be able to tell you which you need before you book into the specialist.

 

[imported_dumpvalve]

You're both right if I remember correctly. There's a 31 tooth, and 32 tooth belt for the 1.8T B5. And Audi also made a revision/improvement to the tensioner at some point; I think the early ones were quite problematic.

As you probably know, I had my 96 T Sport in for the belt and tensioner, and it boiled down to the mechanic basically taking the front off before he could establish which belt to use. I'm sure he could have done it by engine code, but you know what they're like. My tensioner had seized, so that was replaced with what I'm sure he described as the 'uprated version' or something.

Anyway, the fact that I took it in for the work at around 67k, and Audi say do it at 75k should really be saying to you GET IT DONE. I have no idea when the tensioner had seized, so I could potentially have been sitting on a bit of an accident waiting to happen, to say the least. Nobody wants their engine to go bang.

Drew.

 

[johnyj]

same thing happened to me
i had the water pump done and had the garage to do the idler, tensioner and cam belt while hes got the front off.
he ordered the belt and tensioner to the chassis
and wasnt the right one had to put the revised one on and the new version of the cam belt.
altogether cost 400 squid.

 

[excursion]

****** hell /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I'm glad that didn't happen with either me or you mate.

Is there any way of knowing it's siezed, or is it a case of getting the covers off?

 

[Carbono]

with your reg/chassis a shop will be able to tell. and to get a rough ballpark figure quote...£250 incl. parts, labour, vat.

cheers

 

[Carbono]

wow, 400? that sounds a lot. even with a new water pump (which i always recommend when the timing belt is anyway done, why take a chance).

i figure 3.5 hours labor times about £60 plus parts.....about £250 without water pump.

sure there was nothing else done?

cheers

 

[imported_dumpvalve]

[ QUOTE ]
excursion said:
****** hell /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I'm glad that didn't happen with either me or you mate.

Is there any way of knowing it's siezed, or is it a case of getting the covers off?

[/ QUOTE ]
Don't think so mate, it's just one of those awkward b*stards. I suppose it could have been ok for another 10k, but you just don't know. Prevention is better than cure.

Drew.