2014 (B8.5) serpentine belt tensioner change

[New 2014 A4]

Just bought the subject car. Has 109K miles. Planning on changing the serpentine belt. Thinking of changing the belt tensioner while I'm at it.

The 2 tensioner mount bolts appear to be torx. Can any one verify the size, spec, style and torque?

Can the mount bolts be re-used are must they be replaced?
If need to be replaced where can they be obtained?

Is there a write up or video I can refer to? Most of what I've seen applies to the earlier (pre facelift) cars.

Thanks!

[earhythmic]

The 2 tensioner mount bolts appear to be torx. Can any one verify the size, spec, style and torque?

Can the mount bolts be re-used are must they be replaced?

M10 triple square, 8nm.

I reused mine but it might be a good idea to put a dab of blue loctite on them if going that route. If you extend the tensioner all the way open there’s a notch where you can put a 90° hook pick to keep it open, making installation of the bottom bolt infinitely easier.

Fast forward to 40:55 in this video: https://youtu.be/OVPYurTlE6o

[New 2014 A4]

Super helpful. Thanks!

[Theiceman]

I'd drive it around for bit and see how much oil it drinks before dropping any coin on it. if I doesn't burn too much, you are good to go. They are often dumped at this mileage due to horrendous oil consumption..
just get a baseline ...

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[New 2014 A4]

I'd drive it around for bit and see how much oil it drinks before dropping any coin on it. if I doesn't burn too much, you are good to go. They are often dumped at this mileage due to horrendous oil consumption..
just get a baseline ...

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Sound advice. I will definitely hold off on anything costly while things sort out. Should probably also check the timing chain. Otherwise I could wind up doing it all again.

[Theiceman]

Sound advice. I will definitely hold off on anything costly while things sort out. Should probably also check the timing chain. Otherwise I could wind up doing it all again.

yeah good point...at that mileage I would say in the 5 degrees range

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[mrg_B8TFSi]

Yes assuming you don’t know the history of this car, it’s likely on the original chain and tensioner might want to get a reading on what the chain stretch is currently? You probably will want to upgrade your timing components assuming you plan on keeping the vehicle. No sense in throwing a belt and tensioner on it now just to remove them when the other work is started.. just saying .. do it all at once , however throwing a belt on B8 is super easy especially with the electronic steering rack, it’s only three pulleys , crank, A/C and alternator. But the serp belt tensioner is tough to get to unless you’re going to put it into service position or remove the entire carrier altogether. Like iceman mentioned with that mileage and assuming normal driving it likely is consuming oil and you are likely beyond the Audi spec for chain stretch.. you should probably get it scanned..


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[New 2014 A4]

Yes assuming you don’t know the history of this car, it’s likely on the original chain and tensioner might want to get a reading on what the chain stretch is currently? You probably will want to upgrade your timing components assuming you plan on keeping the vehicle. No sense in throwing a belt and tensioner on it now just to remove them when the other work is started.. just saying .. do it all at once , however throwing a belt on B8 is super easy especially with the electronic steering rack, it’s only three pulleys , crank, A/C and alternator. But the serp belt tensioner is tough to get to unless you’re going to put it into service position or remove the entire carrier altogether. Like iceman mentioned with that mileage and assuming normal driving it likely is consuming oil and you are likely beyond the Audi spec for chain stretch.. you should probably get it scanned..


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Thanks. I should have checked this forum before I bought my car! What I did research led me to believe the '14's were improved. My DD is a 99 Passat so I kind of thought I knew what I was getting into. The Passat has been on a roughly quart/1000 mile oil diet since new. If this one is consuming much more than that I may need to re-think the whole plan.

[Theiceman]

Thanks. I should have checked this forum before I bought my car! What I did research led me to believe the '14's were improved. My DD is a 99 Passat so I kind of thought I knew what I was getting into. The Passat has been on a roughly quart/1000 mile oil diet since new. If this one is consuming much more than that I may need to re-think the whole plan.

always good to get a baseline before spending any money... oil consumption in these cars is an absolute killer. even going in yourself isnt cheap and you could buy the car again for what a dealer will charge you.
the tensioner is definitely Improved so no worries there, but timing chain and rings ?? that one's a crap shoot.
my 14 burned 1qt/160 miles at 130 k. .but it's been a fantastic car since the rebuild and an absolute joy to own
. incidentally I got my lowering kit cheap off a guy who bought a pile of upgrades with his new 14. only to discover it was going to cost him 6g to have his new car stop burning oil. he dumped it and sold off the parts

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[New 2014 A4]

always good to get a baseline before spending any money... oil consumption in these cars is an absolute killer. even going in yourself isnt cheap and you could buy the car again for what a dealer will charge you.
the tensioner is definitely Improved so no worries there, but timing chain and rings ?? that one's a crap shoot.
my 14 burned 1qt/160 miles at 130 k. .but it's been a fantastic car since the rebuild and an absolute joy to own
. incidentally I got my lowering kit cheap off a guy who bought a pile of upgrades with his new 14. only to discover it was going to cost him 6g to have his new car stop burning oil. he dumped it and sold off the parts

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I'm curious about the rings. Does it affect all cars? Is there a new design? If so, did they never go into production? Refitting with the same design seems like asking for more of the same.

[Theiceman]

I'm curious about the rings. Does it affect all cars? Is there a new design? If so, did they never go into production? Refitting with the same design seems like asking for more of the same.

jury still out as to why some cars see it and some don't .. discusions can go on for pages and pages. yes pistons and rings are a new design ..well back to an old one really .. but it fixed the issue.

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