In the midst of changing the timing belt on a 2000 A4 V6 2.8 and I notice that when the cams are lined up (large holes facing each other re: Hayes, locking tool in place) the timing mark on the crank pully is 3 or 4 degrees off. Do I assume the last mechanic at some point advanced this on purpose? I am leaning towards the locking tool reference and leaving the timing advanced. Any thoughts out there? By the way the car ran like a champ up to the moment the water pump gave way. Thanks in advance.
Chefmango

 

This is a step from audi that might help:
Turn crankshaft at central bolt of toothed belt gear in direction of engine rotation to cyl. 3 TDC.
Timing marks -A- and -B- must be aligned. Check position of camshafts. Large holes (arrow) of securing plates on camshaft sprockets must face toward inside and align.
If not, turn crankshaft one revolution further.Remove sealing plug from left-side of cylinder block. Top Dead Center (TDC) mark on crankshaft must be visible or be felt behind bore of removed sealing plug.

 

Yeah somethings off here, are you sure the crank didn't turn on you some how? If the crank is off by more than 2 teeth then engine will barely run and it will throw cam allocation fault codes. In other words it will runlike a KIA with no compression LOL.

 

OK so now I feel really lucky. The tensioner is toast - hanging on (with bearings and seals falling apart) but functioning just enough to allow the timing belt to function - and - I believe I caught it at the moment when it was going south - thus - the belt slipped a tooth, maybe two; therefore the cams and TDC marks are slightly off but the engine was not damaged. Probably a mile or two from total failure.

 

Lucked out that time buddy, that could have been a costly repair. Glad you caught it.[8D]