Anybody done it? How hard? How much will I be swearing on Saturday?

 

I cannot help you at all other than saying I believe the entire front (Slampanel) comes off very easily to allow better access.

 

easy....

Bumper and lights out, slam panel off, rad off.....hey presto.......easy to work on.....

 

I know about putting the front of the car into "service mode" although I've not done it yet. Bit hacked off as I wanted to get the front mount intercooler kit this month. Grrrr

 

If its got air con that will need de gassed

 

with a bit off care you can leave the air con attatched simple job really

 

Yeah true. Also seen it being done without the front end being totaly removed just pulled forward slightly

 

I've done it myself on my B5 passat, and as stated you can avoid de gassing the AC by just carefully folding it out the way.

It was/is a big/time consuming job considering the actual belt(s+tensioners) is a quick ish task.

I'd avoid having a deadline (eg must be done in one day) just in case, and an extra pair of hands would certainly help.

Tom

 

Doing it at my old dears place on Saturday and as long as the car is sorted for the Tuesday morning commute to work I'll be happy

 

Did my Audi A4 Tdi on the drive no drama at all, once the bumper and slam panel is off its a piece of piss to work on, the engine is basically half out the car at that point effectively, so its a breeze to get to everything.

Didnt have aircon though, so dont know how much worse that makes things or not.

 

passets are harder to do they don't come apart as easy as the audis

 

Quite a time consuming job if you aint done one before, nothing hard about doing it though and its all easy enough.

Do them quite a lot at work and complete job from start to finish including fitting new water pump usually takes around 4 hours.

Did an 06 plate A4 TDi last week and they are a lot easier as there's enough room to change them without taking the front off.

 

If it is a V6 I can do cambelts without moving front to service position, but not 4 cylinders.

Radiator is just bumper off, fold AC rad out of the way and you can pull the radiator out, again no need to move to service position unless you have to for cambelt.

 

It's a pot so definately need to go to service position. And it's due to rain tomorrow