
Some engines are referred to as "non-interference" engines, meaning that the piston crown is designed so that it will not touch the open valves (remember that the area at the top of the cylinder when the piston reaches the end of its stroke is quite tight). When the belt fails, the valves are no longer in sync with the pistons, meaning the pistons will travel upward in the cylinders while valves are stuck open. As you can probably guess, this rubber belt will stretch and eventually fail over time. Timing belts, however, are a toothed rubber belt concealed behind a cover and not serviceable without disassembly. Many engines still use a timing chain (not unlike a looped bicycle chain) driving sprockets timing chains normally last the entire life cycle of the vehicle and do not need to be changed or serviced. In other words, it's what synchronizes the opening and closing of valves during normal running conditions. The timing belt is what connects the engine's camshaft to the crankshaft. This is not the timing belt - it's known as the serpentine belt, and it serves a completely different purpose.
#Audi timing belt tensioner manual
If you have an early 058 AEB large port cylinder head installed on your late 06A engine, the 06A Manual Timing Belt Tensioner Kit is still required.When you look under the hood of your Audi, you'll see a belt that drives components like the air conditioning compressor and power steering pump. NOTE: IE 06A Manual Timing Belt Kits are engine block specific, not cylinder head specific. If your engine does not have an external water pump and internal balance shaft, you need an IE 06A Manual Timing Belt Tensioner Kit. *IE 058 Manual Timing Belt Tensioner Kits are designed for use on 058 (AEB engine code) engine blocks only, they are not compatible with all late model 06A engine blocks equipped with internal water pumps. The timing belt and manual tensioner unit at a minimum must be replaced during scheduled maintenance intervals to maintain reliable and safe operation.
#Audi timing belt tensioner upgrade
FOLLOW FACTORY TIMING INTERVALSĪlthough the IE manual timing belt kit is an upgrade over the OE setup, be sure to follow the factory timing belt replacement intervals. Timing belts may also increase/decrease in size minimally during seasonal temperature changes, always check tension and adjust as necessary during heavy temperature fluctuations.


Timing belts tend to "stretch-in" after installation, IE recommends you check your belt tension often (every oil change) and adjust if necessary. The IE manual timing belt tensioner is a much more reliable timing upgrade over the stock hydraulic setup, however, this is a performance timing setup designed for performance engines and requires maintenance to ensure proper long-term operation of your timing system. This setup is proven on many street and race applications and is used by VW/Audi 2.0T FSI successors after the 1.8T engine was discontinued. This tensioner is set to proper timing belt tension and tightened securely into place. The auto-adjusting tensioner is then replaced with a traditional style manual tensioner. This two-part timing solution includes a new in-house CNC machined aluminum idler bracket that replaces the hydraulic piston assembly. The IE Manual Timing Tensioner Kit is designed to give you timing confidence by completely replacing the 1.8T timing belt tension system with performance-minded parts.

Many of the available non-OE tensioners worsen this issue further with cheaper components, lack of quality control, bad tolerances, and awful surface imperfections that further lead to rapid degradation of the hydraulic o ring. The piston arm on the tensioner is sealed with an under-spec o ring that commonly wears out, cracks, rots, or leaks leading to the instant discharge of the hydraulic fluid resulting in complete engine failure. Unfortunately, this design has been a constant source of complete timing failure and one of the weakest links on the 1.8T platform.

This hydraulic tensioner has a gas-charged piston that provides tension on the tensioner roller, designed to increase/decrease tension automatically. Add a timing belt and water pump to complete your timing kitĪll 058 1.8T 20V engines are factory equipped with a hydraulic style timing belt tensioner.In-house CNC machined idler bracket & tensioner spacer.Replaces the risky factory gas-charged tensioner.Provides reliable timing belt tension for performance engines.Upgrading your timing system with our IE Manual Timing Belt Tensioner Kit removes the factory weak link and replaces it with a solid and reliable manual tensioner setup. Save your early 058 1.8T 20V engine from risking a complete failure due to a faulty stock hydraulic tensioner.
