2.0 TDi BRD Oil Pump Hex Key/Balance Shaft Query

[AvantMike]

Guys & Girls,
I want to swap out my oil pump hex key before it becomes an issue for future me. I've looked at the KMB kit for swapping out the OEM hex key for their re-manufactured part as well as a new gear driven balance shaft which is fair enough. As I'm running the car, I wanted to find an old hex key off fleabay as they only sell the KMB kit on a swap basis.
However I found replacement hex keys that appear to fit the bill (100mm rather than 77mm etc.).

To get to the point... what's the need for the replacement balance shaft that KMB sell with their hex key, if the hex key is the issue?
The difference in cost is £15 vs. £200 hence my question and I'm assuming this is too good to be true.
As always - please excuse my ignorance.

 

[tr7]

Hi Mike, did you get any further with this?

As a somewhat preventative measure I'd like to replace the Hex key to delay the inevitable. Interested to hear how you got on

 

[Gazwould]

An often confused issue .

The issue isn't the key but the balancer shaft keyway being a poor fit and not hard enough , this wears further becomes slacker and rounds the key !

Poor fit because...

Not deep enough
Not hexagonal
Not centrally machined accurately
Not hard enough

 

[AvantMike]

An often confused issue .

The issue isn't the key but the balancer shaft keyway being a poor fit and not hard enough , this wears further becomes slacker and rounds the key !

Poor fit because...

Not deep enough
Not hexagonal
Not centrally machined accurately
Not hard enough

Got it - so the hex keys are just double coverage on the real issue. Many thanks Gaz

 

[AvantMike]

Hi Mike, did you get any further with this?

As a somewhat preventative measure I'd like to replace the Hex key to delay the inevitable. Interested to hear how you got on

Not yet - am in the middle of a few jobs but think this one might need doing (I'm now at 88k and would really like to make it past 100k without losing the engine).

 

[Gazwould]

The old boys went on 83K

Yes they round , people withdraw the key see that and think that's the issue .

If they looked hard enough they'd see the messed up balancer shaft keyway .

A remanufactured modified balancer shaft keyway insert will be harder , deeper , perfectly centered and actually hexagonal .

Poland do their own enlarged robust looking version .

 

[tr7]

The old boys went on 83K

Yes they round , people withdraw the key see that and think that's the issue .

If they looked hard enough they'd see the messed up balancer shaft keyway .

A remanufactured modified balancer shaft keyway insert will be harder , deeper , perfectly centered and actually hexagonal .

Poland do their own enlarged robust looking version .

That's scary accurate, my BLB went on 83k!

I see the KMB mentioned here a lot. Any views on here of Powermax Engineering?

 

[Gazwould]

With the BLB you also have the oil pump drive chain tensioner issue , so double trouble .

 

[tr7]

With the BLB you also have the oil pump drive chain tensioner issue , so double trouble .

The prev. owner fixed it on my BLB. I only know theres a invoice for near £900 in parts from Powermax Engineering. It's been fine in my 6 years/50k miles since

https://www.powermaxengineering.com/search?search_txt=audi

 

[Gazwould]

Most convert to geared and the corrosponding 100mm key with remanufactured modified balancer shaft .

 

[AvantMike]

Most convert to geared and the corrosponding 100mm key with remanufactured modified balancer shaft .

Gaz - do you/can you do this refit? (I'm not a million miles away north of you) or recommend anywhere that could?

 

[Gazwould]

My dad did his on the drive around 10 years ago .

I'm familiar with the subject but not from a practical side .