2006 A4 Balance Shaft Timing question

[dmerk2]

Hi All,

I recently decided to tackle the fun job of replacing my 2006 Audi A4 balance shaft. I've been getting low pressure readings and figured that was the culprit. I purchased a rebuilt balance shaft on ebay. After disassembly I confirmed that my old balance shaft was definitely the culprit. The question I have is this; the new balance shaft sprocket does not have the timing mark on it as the old one does. That being said, does anyone know what position should the weights be in when the sprocket is in the TDC position? Since I don't have the timing mark on the sprocket, I'm hoping I can figure out the TDC point by the position of the two weights. I don't want to use my old balance shaft as a guide since I believe it was most likely shot and may have gotten out of timing. I've heard some people say that the weights should be in their natural BDC position (meaning the flat part of the weight facing you as you look down at the balance shaft assembly). I just need to get some confirmation before I start re-assembly. Thanks in advance.

[Theiceman]

the shafts are connected by gears... you should be able to compare the two and put marks on

low oil pressure is caused by wear in the bore.. there is no reason to think anything skipped

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

[dmerk2]

Thanks iceman. That makes sense. I was just hoping someone had a spare one around and could just take a quick glance. My old balance shaft TDC point has the two flat halves looking in opposite directions. Just seemed odd to me. I'll assume that's the correct setting and go from there. Since I have everything off, I'm going to replace the turbo and engine mounts.

[Jayz691]

Try to yransfer the marks from old sprocket, to new one? Those "rebuilt" pumps ya find on ebay, for around $400, are usually chinese ones. So guess their parts they use don't look like OE. Thats the only way I can think of, them time like ya should. Ya can find instructions online..
Or install a freewheel, and not worry about it

Sent from my LM-V600 using Audizine Forum mobile app

[dmerk2]

Tried looking at my old balance shaft, but it's definitely out of whack. I had a hard time turning it and had to use a tool against the weights for leverage to go all the way around. Bottom line is that the weights are not in synch with eachother, so I can't use that older one as a guide. Going back to my original question.

Does anyone know what direction the weights should be facing when the balance shaft is in TDC?

[Theiceman]

Tried looking at my old balance shaft, but it's definitely out of whack. I had a hard time turning it and had to use a tool against the weights for leverage to go all the way around. Bottom line is that the weights are not in synch with eachother, so I can't use that older one as a guide. Going back to my original question.

Does anyone know what direction the weights should be facing when the balance shaft is in TDC?

I think your only hope is if someone has one lying around and can take pics.

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Jayz691]

And may not help much. If theres no marks on that rebuilt pump, may not have a good reference point. A removed pump will just have the shafts at resting point, which may not be(prob not) be where theyd be at TDC. Youd almost need to look at it installed, before being removed.
Tough one without having timing marks...
Other options, BS delete..

Sent from my LM-V600 using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Theiceman]

hard to believe you could have an assembly without timing marks on that sprocket..as that is the whole intent of that assembly ( other than the oil pump of course. )

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

[dmerk2]

I was hoping if someone had one lying around they can take a pic of the weights (or even describe the position in writing) while the hold the left cog in the timing position. It doesn't need to be installed to show how the weights face while in the cog is in the TDC mark.

I've heard others on another forum mention that balance shaft weights should be in BDC (which I assume means bottom dead center). Unfortunately, they didn't elaborate on what exactly that would look like.

[Brillo]

dmerk2 I found this for you (see link). It makes sense from the mechanics point of view and I vaguely remember this classic from one of my undergraduate courses in vibrations:
https://www.mvwautotechniek.nl/en/ba...nent%20failure.

4 cylinder inlines have 180 degree crankshafts As a result any engine with displacement at or over 2 liters really start to vibrate due to the imbalances in piston acceleration/deceleration near TDF and BDF. Balance shafts are pretty effective at counteracting these unbalanced forces, greatly reducing vibration. The shafts spin at exactly twice the speed of the crankshaft. Based on the diagram of the link both flats of the lobes can be set facing directly upwards when the crank is at TDC for cylinder 1 and 4 (Cyl 2 and 3 will necessarily be at BDC). At this point the flat faces of the lobes will be exactly parallel and facing up. Mark the sprocket and case when in this position. Hope this helps. Brillo

[Brillo]

dmerk2 Here is another link for YT that should give you even more confidence on balance shaft timing. Brillo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwigSbyQ7AI

[Jayz691]

hard to believe you could have an assembly without timing marks on that sprocket..as that is the whole intent of that assembly ( other than the oil pump of course. )

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

Those refurbed ones on ebay are all from china. So the dampened sprocket is prob one thing they replace, cuz there's not much you can really "refurb". And is guess their sprockets don't have any marks..

Sent from my LM-V600 using Audizine Forum mobile app

[dmerk2]

Thanks Brillo! Excellent find. I'm glad you were available to translate that link. I'll proceed with the flats facing up (the position they naturally go to when turning the sprockets) and parallel to each other. I'll keep you all updated on how it goes. Thanks again.

[Theiceman]

I was hoping if someone had one lying around they can take a pic of the weights (or even describe the position in writing) while the hold the left cog in the timing position. It doesn't need to be installed to show how the weights face while in the cog is in the TDC mark.

I've heard others on another forum mention that balance shaft weights should be in BDC (which I assume means bottom dead center). Unfortunately, they didn't elaborate on what exactly that would look like.

yup you just need a good pic

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

[dmerk2]

Confirmation! I found this youtube video where the person shows the timing mark on TDC on the balance shaft, then pans his camera over to the weights which shows that the weight's flat side is indeed facing up. I've attached the link. Just forward it to minute 21:15. It's exactly what I was looking for. That being said, Brillo was exactly right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MhbG70Q1GA

[dmerk2]

Thanks to all that chimed in on my questions. I'm happy to report that the balance shaft and new turbo are in and all codes have disappeared (also, no low oil pressure warning). I can now put this car back on the road again.

Quick tip for those in New York. If you have a AAA membership, you can now use AAA to do all your DMV stuff. I was literally in and out of there in 20 minutes with new plates and registration sticker. Cost is the same as going to DMV (no extra fees).

[Theiceman]

Thanks to all that chimed in on my questions. I'm happy to report that the balance shaft and new turbo are in and all codes have disappeared (also, no low oil pressure warning). I can now put this car back on the road again.

Quick tip for those in New York. If you have a AAA membership, you can now use AAA to do all your DMV stuff. I was literally in and out of there in 20 minutes with new plates and registration sticker. Cost is the same as going to DMV (no extra fees).

great to hear, did you measure hot oil pressure at idle or are you just going with " no light, send it ."

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

[dmerk2]

I didn't measure the hot oil pressure, but I can. What should it be?

[Jayz691]

I didn't measure the hot oil pressure, but I can. What should it be?

When hot, it should be around 18-20psi at idle, and 60psi by about 2800-3k rpm. Not sure of exact "spec", but those are good #'s.

Sent from my LM-V600 using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Theiceman]

at least one bar so that is 14psi minimum...at 1 bar you won't have issues.... of course the problem is this car does not monitor at idle, that is why it is important to check .

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Jayz691]

at least one bar so that is 14psi minimum...at 1 bar you won't have issues.... of course the problem is this car does not monitor at idle, that is why it is important to check .

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

Yeah, 1bar is bottom of spec, "at least". Mine don't go below 18psi, when HOT, and thats with 235k+ miles on it. I did replace the pump, cooling jets, etc. Before doing the jets, my hot idle would drop below 10psi sometimes..thats scary, lol.
Its also hits 60psi by about 2500rpm, but 3k is spec I believe.

Sent from my LM-V600 using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Theiceman]

oh shoot I forgot I made a thread about this....il post a link here for the new guys, some good contribution from people showing oil pressures..

hope this works

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...essure+testing

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app