Johns00

So I've searched and read.. and read.. But nothing seems to help. I have a ConiTech serpentine belt from FCP that blew up after only 5k miles (shredded during full lock while parallel parking). I figured replacing it would be no huge dilemma with another set of hands to hold the tensioner. Well, I just tried that and can't get the belt over the rollers for the life of me. I tried the lower idler pulley and the tensioner pulley but cannot stretch the belt to get it even on the lip.

I know the routing directions say to route the alternator last but there is no chance that's gonna happen. One thread said he succeeded by routing the upper idler pulley last but I can't even get the belt over the alternator before attempting that.

TLDR: Serpentine belt replacement advice

SS_RTR

1/2" or 3/8" breaker bar should help move and hold the tensioner, I just can't remember which one I had to use. I recall having to make sure that tensioner was moved as far as it would go in order to get the belt on.

Mister Bally

See this thread: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a8-...-note-2808704/

We had the Bentley service manual loaded on the laptop we carried on the trip.

Johns00

Thanks, your thread was actually the first one I had read when I ran into trouble. I think it's the belt itself. Thought maybe due to the cold temps it was resilient to stretching so I brought it inside, warmed it up, then tried putting it on but it made no difference. Gonna go to Napa or Advance tomorrow to get a belt and compare to the ConiTech that FCP supplies. If the ConiTech is somehow smaller, it would confirm my theory of why the belt didn't last 6k.

Mister Bally

No need for a 2nd set of hands to hold the tensioner in the position allowing belt removal/installation. You lock it in place with a holding pin or appropriate drill bit.

nathanwind

I have an extra brand new genuine Serp belt 079903137T (for 2007+) that I ended up with after my timing belt service (ordered it by accident, but l have an ‘06). $20 shipped if you have any interest, literally brand new not even unpackaged

Johns00

Appreciate it but I also have an '06

Johns00

So I went to autozone and grabbed a Continental belt and sure enough, it’s a couple mm longer than the ContiTech that FCP supplies. It slipped on after only a couple minutes of repositioning.

The shop must have used a pet bar or something to leverage the ContiTech belt on while the nose was off. This confirms my suspicion for why the belt only lasted a couple thousand miles.

PSA: FCP’s ContiTech serpentine belt for BGK engines is too short.

Johns00

Talked with FCP earlier and it turns out both their aftermarket option and their OEM option are both 7PK2535. The belt provided by Autozone is 7PK2555, 20mm longer than those provided by FCP.

Anyone who's replaced their serp belts, were your belts 2555 or 2535? I'm really not sure how that belt would fit without the front end off and a pry bar of some sort.

PaulW

Just go buy a belt from Audi and you'll have the correct size.