What is the belt routing for the Audi A6L?
2 Answers
Adjust the belt tension to the appropriate level, then tighten the engine mounting screws and adjustment screws. Below are the detailed steps for the Audi A6 belt routing: Removing the Belt: Loosen the alternator. First, loosen the locking screw on the alternator's movable track, then loosen the upper mounting screw of the alternator, and finally loosen the alternator position adjustment screw. Remove the alternator belt, disconnect the ventilation valve assembly, remove the four cylinder high-voltage wires, remove the water pump pulley, remove the valve cover sub-assembly, remove the No. 2 timing chain or belt cover, remove the crankshaft gear or pulley cover sub-assembly. Set the No. 1 cylinder to top dead center/compression position, rotate the crankshaft pulley, and align the pulley groove with the timing mark 0 on the No. 1 timing belt cover. Check that the K mark on the crankshaft timing pulley aligns with the timing mark on the bearing cap. Remove the timing belt, then remove the bolt and the No. 1 timing belt idler sub-assembly. Installing the Belt: Inspect and install the No. 1 timing belt idler sub-assembly, inspect and install the idler tension spring, install the tension spring, push the idler as close as possible to the water pump pulley and tighten the bolt. Position the No. 1 cylinder at top dead center of the compression stroke, rotate the hexagonal part of the camshaft to align the K mark on the camshaft timing pulley with the timing mark on the bearing cap. Use the crankshaft pulley bolt to rotate the crankshaft and align the timing marks on the crankshaft timing pulley and the oil pump. Install the timing belt and check the belt deflection.
I've repaired quite a few belts on the Audi A6L, especially the 2.0T engine model. The belt routing starts from the crankshaft pulley, then goes around the alternator pulley, adjusts tension via the tensioner pulley, moves to the water pump pulley for engine cooling, and finally connects to the air conditioning compressor pulley and power steering pump pulley. The entire process must ensure the belt is straight without twists and has moderate tension; if too tight or too loose, the belt will wear prematurely or produce squeaking noises. It's recommended to take photos or mark the original positions with a marker pen when replacing a new belt to avoid incorrect installation. There are minor variations in the engines of different model years of the A6L—for example, older models might have the power steering pump positioned differently—but the overall principle remains the same. Regularly inspect the belt for cracks or aging, and replace it every 60,000 kilometers to avoid breakdowns. If you're unsure, it's safer to have a professional shop handle the job.
