Timing Belt DIY questions

[kaizr]

So a few questions about my timing belt. I am around 75.5 k so I need to start saving/thinking about getting that done very soon. My goal is to get this done without leaving my garage. (More importantly, no dealer fees)

I am looking to get the package for the parts online, which site is recommended? When I look through the threads everyone says something different. I obviously want the best package, and so far its been an ultimate or a plus or a premium, depending on the site and they run around 250 bucks. How much would the same parts cost straight from the dealer?

LABOR. This is the big issue. I've got a friend who is great with mechanical stuff. But most of his work has been done on Jeeps and I know an import sedan with a sport engine is a totally different thing. He can do all sorts of engine work, but this is a different playing field. Me on the other hand, I can't really do anything on my own but with direction I am fine with new stuff.

I was thinking he and I would go over some of the DIY timing belt/water pump/etc threads and see if he felt comfortable and capable and then get to work.

Do you guys trust that this kid and I can get the job done? He does great work, this is just a little different from the work he has done.

If we do this, it will be he doing most of the work and mostly his tools. Whats a fair amount of money to give him for his labors? He is a friend and I bet would do it dirt cheap but at the same time I wanna be fair. What would the dealer charge for labor alone? I was thinking about giving him 200-400+ a bottle of JW Green or Blue. This is with me helping a lot and not leaving him alone while I sit on the roof drinking a mojito.

I also work with an older guy who in his free time does a lot with cars. I don't know the details but I think he teaches a mechanic class or something. He would probably cost more, but same issue with lack of import experience.

[widgget]

he will be able to do it, just have him look at the DIY. i am a network engineer and didn't know much about it the 1.8t when i did mine, didn't have any issues. I have done my fair share of work on sport bikes though and know how a engine operates since my little brother works in bike salvage and i used to help out when he needed it.

[lookaught]

Honest to god if you are even remotely mechanically inclined the TB job is not that hard. Yes it is time consuming, but not it is not hard. Follow the DIY and read the million other posts about tips and you will be hard pressed to screw it up.

You need:
toothed belt (the timing belt)
TB dampner (usually comes with the little roller)
TB eccentric tensioner roller
water pump (with metal impeller recommended)
1 gallon G12 coolant
serpentine belt
serpentine tensioner and roller, if you want to do them

a bunch of tools, case of beer, jack, jackstands, cardboard, radio, and a friend helps. Add this all together, shake with ice and about one weekend of free time, and you've got yourself a complete TB job.

GOOD LUCK.

[kaizr]

Thanks guys, I'll let him read through the DIY's then we'll get to work. Whats fair compensation for his labors? Any estimate on time? Could we do it in a day? Would my landlords hate me if we did it in the garage?

[passatkid]

MJM Autohaus is a great place is a great place and has a great price, 225 for a total kit with coolant. Its a pretty easy job.

[widgget]

i THINK dealer labor on this is gonna be in the $700-ish range, not completely sure on that though, i would never let anyone work on my car other then myself (and maybe a few of the guys here) if i can help it so i didn't bother asking what it would cost.

[Molotov]

I've got a friend who is great with mechanical stuff. But most of his work has been done on Jeeps and I know an import sedan with a sport engine is a totally different thing.

sorry... I lawled

shouldn't be too hard though, it's mostly all about being cautious, and the DIY's look great from what I can tell

[kaizr]

haha yea that was lawlable. Wasn't sure how to refer to it any other way so i could get across an open access tough wrangler engine to the confined and finnicky 1.8

[NyteEscape]

haha, the friend that helped me has a jeep......

seriously though, its not that bad. i dont think there is anything that you have to know audi's to do. just take your time and be patient. i think most guys here can knock it out in around 4 hours. took me 9, but i learned a lot.

[afozzie40]

I was really worried about it like you and the first time I had ever worked on one of these cars was when I did my TB. took me about 6 hours and used a couple DIY articles, was a lot easier than I thought, again take your time and enjoy learning about your car. I got my kit from ECS Tuning, be sure to get a kit with a water pump with a metal impeller. good luck.

[Mike@PureMS]

We've got great OEM kits as well for both 1.8T and 3.0L motors. We back them up with ASE mechanics for tech support, so shoot us an email or call if you have any questions, we're here to help.

[Turb_Oh_A4]

FPC groten or something like that was only 179 shipped.

[monkey323i]

Bentley Book stated 1.8T required about 6 hours of labour.

my indenpendent shop did it for less than 5 hours of labour.
(he did a lot of 1.8T's already)


For the first time DIYers, i saw two post that they both did it in 2-3 days.
Of course both of them did it nice and slow to make sure everything works prefectly.


check here for the DIY tip:
http://audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=146166

[Mark]

it's not that hard. I got my kit from ECS for a fair price. Everything worked fine . . . took me an afternoon.

[akaEsCo01]

Easy job, hardest part is putting the belt back on, kinda tight, like a tiger

[texasboy21]

lol tight like a tiger

barrett

[trueno429]

haha