I am planning to order the ECS Ultimate timing belt kit for a 99.5 A4 1.8T AEB.
(timing belt, tensioner, rollers, water pump, thermostat, belts)

I have changed many timing belts before, just never on this car\engine.
I have read all the info. on the diy forum on taking off the whole front end.bumper, radiator, ac condenser. ect.
Does all that stuff really have to come off? How hard is it to just put the front bumper in the service location? Is there enough room to do the timing belt?

What stuff is an absolute must to take off?
I would like some advice from you guys that have done thisbefore on this engine.

thanks in advance.

 

yeah - the whole font of the car has to come off - you can put it in the service location ( thats what I did) but if you take it off then it gives you more area to work with. and I don't think you understand what "service position" means or the difference betweet the front bumper and the front radiator carrier.

If your ordering the ECS kit just follow the DIY, you have to do everything execept remove the whole front carrier, you can just get some long 8mm bolts and put them in the holes where bumper supports where - that will give you enough room to work with.

 

What I understand is that the "service location" basicaly moves back the front radiator carrier a few inches to allow the changing of the belts.

 

yes the front bumper comes off and then the bolts holding the bumper reinforcement. this should give you the room to do so

 

Im pretty sure you dont have to take off the bumper.

 

Apparently you never done your TB then. And by TB I mean doing the entire ECS ultimate kit. I would love for someone to do a DIY on how to do the ultimate kit without removing the front of the car, but I don't think its going to happen.

 

yes, the whole front has to come off. impossible to replace the whole lot otherwise. Also, you will save yourself time by doing it right the first time.

 

My mechanic did the timing belt without moving the front bumper.
You'll need a lift and some right-angle tools.
Move the bumper foward, it'll make the job easier.

 

I know you can get away with putting it in the service mode but its so much easier to take it off. It's not hard and the time spent doing it is soooo minimal compared to service mode. Plus when you have this off it gives you an excellent chance to inspect those pesky vac lines.

 

All off = more space to work and less cursing and shouting loud