First Timing Belt Replacement

[CMDonham]

So I bought an A4 B5 from a friend and I have no idea whats been replaced on the car, so the question is..

Doing a timing belt replacement, what are all the parts that you can replace while the front end is off.

I have bought that kit from ECS Tuning which includes:
Timing Belt
Tensioner
Tensioner roller
Idler Roller
Water Pump w/ Gasket & O-Rings (Featuring a Metal Impeller)
Water Pump Housing
Thermostat w/ O-Ring
Thermostat Housing
A/C Accessory Belt
Power Steering/Water Pump Accessory Belt
Alternator Accessory Belt
Front Camshaft Seal
Front Crankshaft Seal
Intermediate Shaft Seal
Crank Pulley Hardware

I'm also going to replace my A/C Compressor, and A/C Condenser due to previous owners botched repair job on my A/C Lines(stripped the threads putting a new line on).

So I'm looking to do a fairly large overhaul while it's open.

What are all the parts that I can replace while I'm elbow deep.

My Car is an A4 B5 1998 1.8T with 215,000 miles on it.

[nynoah]

generally speaking I don't recommend changing the crankshaft seal unless it is already leaking. Its a HUGE pain to get into and if you don't tighten that massive bolt down to 150lbs or what ever that huge number is, it could cause the engine to grenade. Just not worth it as a preventive measure unless you have the specific tool to do it and if the seal is already leaking.

[redline380]

generally speaking I don't recommend changing the crankshaft seal unless it is already leaking. Its a HUGE pain to get into and if you don't tighten that massive bolt down to 150lbs or what ever that huge number is, it could cause the engine to grenade. Just not worth it as a preventive measure unless you have the specific tool to do it and if the seal is already leaking.

Pretty sure that 150 ft lbs is only the first spec. You have to go 180 degrees after. I couldnt get mine that tight but luckily it has held.

I agree though. Unless it is leaking, don't worry about it.

[walky_talky20]

I couldn't get the full 180 either. I think I got 150 or so out of it. Crazy spec.

[redline380]

I couldn't get the full 180 either. I think I got 150 or so out of it. Crazy spec.

I'll go press fit next.

[CMDonham]

I'll keep that in mind, should I change out any pulleys?

[redline380]

I'll keep that in mind, should I change out any pulleys?

Which ones did you have in mind? But, no, you do not need to

[Davdraco1]

Only fix what's broken. These cars love maintenance but when fixing something that's not broken, your usually mess something up. Keep it simple. On the plus side, the from of the car comes off fairly quickly so if you need to go back in there it's not a huge pain. I never changed the camshaft seal in the two times ove done my timing belt and I've never seen it leak from there. I didn't want to mess up the timing in the process. I did however change the valve cover and can chain tensioner gasket. Mine were very hard, not leaking, but worth the extra 5 mins worth of work. You could also do a new snub mount, weather it be OEM or a poly unit. Mine at 130k miles was toast so I happy I did that.

[nynoah]

But do replace your water pump, and timing belt rollers and tensioners proactively.

[Davdraco1]

They all come in the kit

[CMDonham]

Which ones did you have in mind? But, no, you do not need to

I was thinking about the lightweight crank pulley, is it worth it?

[redline380]

I was thinking about the lightweight crank pulley, is it worth it?

No, do not run one of those. There is a reason the stock one has rubber in it.

[b5a4erik]

+1 for the snub.

[Avant Nate]

No, do not run one of those. There is a reason the stock one has rubber in it.

What's wrong with it? I have A4rob's old one for my project engine.

[Davdraco1]

The rubber helps absorb vibrations the motor creates. It will help with higher Revving engines stay balanced.

[walky_talky20]

There is a reason they don't just call it a "crank pulley". In the dealer parts catalog it is literally called a "vibration damper". If you're going to do something other than OE for the damper, then get a FluiDampr. On a B5, this means you lose A/C unless you do some trick stuff.

[redline380]

I personally cannot think of a single car/truck without a harmonic balancer and just a solid metal pulley