Checking timing marks?

Chops77

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Trying to eliminate an annoying noise which could be coming from a poorly timed up cam belt replacment before i purchased the car.
So my first job is to check the timing is spot on.
Rather than having the belt replaced again,is there any way of me checking any timing marks somewhere?
Could save me £250 as it doesnt really need changed as was only done 18 months and 10k ago.
Thanks
 
Yes, but you need to remove the bumper, get the front carrier into the Audi service position, remove the auxiliary belt, remove the vibration damper (crank pulley) and then take off all the timing covers. Finally after that is done you will have full view of all the timing marks.

Basically it's 95% of a timing belt change worth of labour to get acces to check everything lines up.
 
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What would be the symptoms of a badly timed car?
Would it just be a noise at low revs or many other things?
 
Problem is many different issues can share the same symptoms. I honestly doubt your vibration is timing belt related by looking at your video. HOWEVER!! As I type this I just remembered something and this COULD be your issue....your balance shaft module was replaced for a geared assembly.

The balance shaft is ALSO timed up to the engine! To get it set right you need to have the engine locked in place with all the timing marks lined up (like when doing a timing belt change), and then fit the new balance shaft module with a locking tool in place to ensure it is timed correctly to the rest of the engine.

If this was not done and they fitted it by eye, it could be SLIGHTLY out and that will cause a harmonic vibration that will appear in a certain rev range and then dis-appear as it spins quicker.

This could very well be what happened with yours. However...to check it is even more work than checking the timing belt. In addition to all the above I mentioned, you also need to drain the oil, support the engine from above, drop the sub-frame, remove the sump and then check the locking tool (£15 online) fits properly while the rest of the engine is locked in place with the appropriate timing belt locking tools (£20 online).

It is a fair job! However the more I think about it, the more this makes perfect sense, and it is the route I would be going down. From your video it is certainly more of a something out of balance that vibrates at a certain engine RPM and then goes away further up the revs. Slightly out of alignment (1 or 2 teeth) could certainly cause that! Especially as you know yours has been messed with/ changed in the past.
 
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Oh ****! Sounds a massive job and expensive!!
Ill maybe just have to leave it for now and pray it doesnt cause any major issues. Its just annoying more than causing any real issues!
Thanks for your help tho.
Problem is many different issues can share the same symptoms. I honestly doubt your vibration is timing belt related by looking at your video. HOWEVER!! As I type this I just remembered something and this COULD be your issue....your balance shaft module was replaced for a geared assembly.

The balance shaft is ALSO timed up to the engine! To get it set right you need to have the engine locked in place with all the timing marks lined up (like when doing a timing belt change), and then fit the new balance shaft module with a locking tool in place to ensure it is timed correctly to the rest of the engine.

If this was not done and they fitted it by eye, it could be SLIGHTLY out and that will cause a harmonic vibration that will appear in a certain rev range and then dis-appear as it spins quicker.

This could very well be what happened with yours. However...to check it is even more work than checking the timing belt. In addition to all the above I mentioned, you also need to drain the oil, support the engine from above, drop the sub-frame, remove the sump and then check the locking tool (£15 online) fits properly while the rest of the engine is locked in place with the appropriate timing belt locking tools (£20 online).

It is a fair job! However the more I think about it, the more this makes perfect sense, and it is the route I would be going down. From your video it is certainly more of a something out of balance that vibrates at a certain engine RPM and then goes away further up the revs. Slightly out of alignment (1 or 2 teeth) could certainly cause that! Especially as you know yours has been messed with/ changed in the past.
 
Just on a side note to that great reply,

If i dont hammer the throttle and just tickle it thru the same rev range then the noise never happens!!
 
@Chops77 what happen at if you hold the revs steady in the rev range it vibrates in?
When sat in nuetral it doesnt affect it at all under any throttle position, No noise.
When driving under light throttle and load,like 1/3 throttle then the noise isnt there either.
Its only from 2/3 to full throttle in that rev range in any gear that the noise happens!!
 
This is the noise upto 2000rpm while driving (for anyone that hasnt seen or heard it yet)