audi a4 b7 balance shaft and oil pump conversion.

[Monkeymagic]

I've just finished converting my 55 plate audi a4 avant from the well known weak chain driven balance shaft/ oil pump assembly to the re designed gear driven assembly.
I did mine as it was getting noisy and I suspected chain/tensioner wear.
what a difference, if anyone is thinking of doing this. Conversion, just do it. The engine is so much quieter and smooth at idle

[spink]

what sort of cost were the parts?

[Monkeymagic]

I reckon parts and the two specialist tools I needed I reckon I've spent 600 to 650. I was quoted 3.5k to have someone do it

[Big Lee M]

Have you any pictures of what you have done, I'm rebuilding my 2.0tfsi and that run a balance shaft oil pump.

[denniselbows]

Interesting . I've just bought a 2 litre tdi a3 and have been looking online the problems that they have and was wundering if it is a good idea to get in there and replace the things that fail before they do . Not sure if mine has the chain drive or gears as its a 57 plate . But the hex drive from the balancer shaft that drives the oil pump is as much a problem as the chain drive . What parts parts was involved and was it much of a job to do you said you had to buy some specialist tools what were they ?

[Monkeymagic]

A3 doesn't have a balance shaft don't panic. I'll post a link with a quite for the conversion.
the two problems with balance shaft it that chain sprockets and tensioners wear as they spin at twice the rate of the crank and the hex keys wear as they were too short and rounded Off. The kit I fitted has hopefully resolved this and will outlast the car.:-D

[Monkeymagic]

Specialist tools are a sprocket puller and the Balance shaft tdc setting tool. Oh and a portable oven.

[denniselbows]

If that's correct them I have nothing to worry about . The engine code on my engine is a bmn which looked to be the affected engines but from what I saw on line it was 2005 / 2006 years that hade the problems . . What's the portable oven for to make the bacon butties wilst your working . Or is it to heat up the gear that goes on to the crank as its a interfearance fit . There's no keyway is there?

[Monkeymagic]

Only longitudinally mounted engines had the balance shaft. The drive gear is an interference fit on the nose of the crank and needs heating to 220c first. To be fair it's not a bad job. Got 2 others to do now though!

[denniselbows]

Cool thanks for that bit of info . Ever days a school day all ways something new to learn

[Monkeymagic]

It's hindered On a4 as you have to take the front end Off and drop the sub frame

[quattro-nick]

@ Monkeymagic:
be carefull,This setup has also a problem with the oilpump
maybe you already know but oil pump is driven by a hexagonal pin and after +- 150000-200000km can the pin getting round so the pump have no speed anymore so no oilpressure.
I recently placed a completely new setup on my brother-in-law his a6 2.0tdi with this problem
here is a dutch link where they change a oilpump with hexagonal pin(with damage) to a oilpump with chain

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHELb6v3B3g

[piotr]

hi chaps-i have got A4 Avant 2.0TDI 140BHP 2008 MY.Do you think my balance shaft pin will need mode aswell?

[Monkeymagic]

I went with the set up where the balance shaft recess is hardened the hex pin is hardened and longer ( no gigging)
so it's the best it can be. You can delete the balance shaft which is the other option.
the hex key is always a weak design though

[quattrostyle]

@ Monkeymagic:
be carefull,This setup has also a problem with the oilpump

Can't they built anything to last anymore nowadays?

When my girlfriend needed a diesel I did not even consider the 2.0 tdi and an Audi due to the rubbish multilink control arms up front so we went for an Octavia 1.9 instead with nice and simple McPherson setup that works and does not rattle. However I don't like the 105 bhp tdi as much as the 110 bhp as it is not as good on fuel. After chiptuning we got the same MPG but the dual mass flywheel has started to vibrate

All in all the build quality is far worse on todays cars than what VAG produced between 1985-1995 IMO. That's why I feel more confident driving my Audi 90 than the Skoda