Timing Belt Troubles

[Skinner]

HELP!!!

Went to change the timing belt on my A4 1.8t 1997 R reg got the kit and it is nothing like my one that is on the car already so i ordered one from Audi instead and it is the same kit as the Gates one that i got for the start can anyone help me out here or do i have to fit this new style kit??

Cheers Richard

 

[joost]

If by it being different you mean the tensioner and the pulley, then yes you have to fit them.

They changed/improved(?) the design on the tensioner system around late '97/98 as the old design was prone to failure due to wear. IIRC, the old ones had a ball and socket joint at the end of the tensioner which pushed the pulley to tension the belt - the new version is just a straight-forward piston/pulley on eccentric cam type thing.

Might be worth getting a water pump (make sure it's got the metal impellers as the plastic ones can break off) and changing that at the same time if you've not already done so.