pbojar

Doing my first timing belt replacement on my 1996 A4 Quattro (V6 SOHC 2.4L 12V). I turned cylinder #3 to TDC and the crankshaft pully marking aligned nicely with the mark on the plastic cover. I was then able to insert the crankshaft locking pin. I then went ahead to install the cam shaft sprocket locking tool and noticed that the oval shaped flanges on the cam sprockets did not align very well. As a matter of fact they are so misaligned that I am not able to install the locking tool. I wonder why this is?
Anyone know the answer (and preferably the solution as well) to this?

Please see attached picture.

turbo510

Maybe it hasn't been correct since the last time the belt was worked on. Once the camshaft sprockets are loosened, you can get the cams in proper alignment (cam bar holding both cams properly). I'd expect your car will run better after the job is done.

4Driver4

Agree. This is a pretty common thing to find. My A6 avant was 10 degrees off on both sides as a result of someone from the "you don't need the tools" camp doing the previous service.

Just use the tools and do it right and you might find a seat-of-the-pants difference. Good luck.

On a side note, holy cow did you tear that thing apart. No service position for you?

Motomaniac77

I agree..my god, lol I was considering doing my timing belt myself as well but if you gotta go this far to get it duno, i dunno, maybe its worth the extra cash to have the experts do it lol

4Driver4

You don't.

Bumper must come off, but rad support (aka lock carrier) can simply be unbolted and moved forward.

pbojar

Thank you guys, I appreciate the input. I will make sure that I align the cam shafts correctly.

I had to laugh when you mentioned how I tore that thing apart. I started the job without any repair manual and then realized that all I had to do is fold the rad support away.