1.8T Timing Belt Replacement - Best Kit On The Market~

[A4orce84]

Hey Guys,

Sorry for the newb post, but trying to learn some information on timing belt kits in 2024.

I'm rolling up on 240K miles, and due for getting my 3RD Tbelt done later this year. I am looking for the best / most reliable kit out there currently. I recall that there being a lot of talk on failed water pumps back in the day, the following link being the latest example I found:

Link:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ng-System-Woes

Anyway, I'm just looking for the best kit out there and what people have the best experience with thus far. As well as if there are kits to 100% avoid (using non-oem water pumps) to please highlight that information as well. Thanks in advance!


Thanks,
Asif

[walky_talky20]

For a B6 1.8T, my favorite kit would be a Gates or Continental belt, the updated spring-loaded (non-hydro) "LITENS" tensioner, and a HEPU pump with the brass impeller. The absolute best would probably be the Gates Blue racing belt (kevlar-infused).

This kit looks like it hits all my faves, except the Blue belt:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...309#kitsComAnc

Absolute best setup, in my opinion:
Gates Racing Belt: T306RB
OEM Litens Tensioner: 06A109243A
New Hardware for the Tensioner, if you want. Stud: 06B109166, Washer: N0152785, Nut: N01100840
HEPU pump w/brass impeller: HEPU P547
The hydro-delete bracket w/small roller: 06A109181 (or just a new small roller and gut your existing hydro: 06B109244)

[EuroxS4]

I would not recommend the gates belt as they are known for failing. Seen a few fail right at 75k miles had a few where they squealed like a pig. Long story short I would not recommend the gates belt. Hell I have a new one if you want it. I would recommend contitech timing belt this is what I normally use when I do those jobs. I would also go for the litens style kit with manual tensioner.

[Puddin Tane]

I spent many hours last fall searching for "the one perfect TB kit" and I don't think it exists. IIRC Europa has a page where you can "build your own kit" but it's really just a glorified shopping cart. The Litens tensioner is a clear improvement over the old style "hydraulic" one. This kit
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi-vw-timing-set-ina-06b198119a
is the only one I found that provides all the pieces needed to do that upgrade, including a genuine Litens brand tensioner. Even if you don't want the belt it's still a decent deal. Ina is a trusted brand. For the other pieces like WP and t-stat I recommend researching and buying single pieces.

The Achilles heel of the Litens tensioner is that the death grip of ONE NUT is all-important. If that nut slips for any reason, ever-- disaster! After finding this out the hard way I took no chances the second time. Thread-locked the stud in place (deep enough that the tensioner definitely seats against the head) and used a Nordlock washer under the nut. Nordlocks replace the usual flat washer / lock washer combo and compare to them like Audis compare to Yugos. That nut WILL. NOT. BUDGE. until you make it budge by gouging out metal on both of the washer's large contact faces / that metal's shear limit is the locking force on the nut. Expensive for a washer but cheap for peace of mind.

Now, since you drained and re-habbed the cooling system, you want to do a FLUSH too, right? Man, that M-F'er is even more time-consuming than the TB job if done right because of all the drains and fills involved.

re: Gates kevlar belts: the word "kevlar" makes for great marketing hype, but in this application chemical stability over time actually matters more than strength when new. Conventional belt materials are selected to maintain their strength under engine compartment conditions and do so better than kevlar. Gates calls it a racing belt, which is exactly right: fantastic strength for a few thousand miles after which you're gonna tear the engine apart and replace it anyway.

[EuroxS4]

Ina is a trusted brand.

INA used to and still manufactures parts for VAG. Back in the day they made the hydraulic cam followers for many vw,audi,porsche, seat and skoda engines and some other parts.