I broke that bolt replacing my water pump. I bought the special Schwaben tool that is used on ONLY that bolt for 200 bucks to make sure i did everything just right, and that stupid thing snapped off. I got quotes from 2,000 dollars all the way up to "you need to replace the engine." Because there's no space i couldn't get the broken shaft of the bolt out, and because i had basically over-tightened it, it wouldn't just spin out. I decided the car was done. I accepted my fate. I almost cried, not because i loved the car all like that but because i couldn't believe i made such a stupid mistake. I still owed over 8k on the car. I went upstairs and got drunk. At some point i decided since the car was toast i might as well go nuts on it, so i grabbed some JB weld and put it on the bolt head. I stuck it in there and walked away for about 4 hours. I came back and that bitch twisted right out. Single greatest moment o my DIY career.
I feel sorry for you You have to pull the engine out to replace the balance shaft on a transverse engine .. its pretty impossible to do in place On a longitudinal engine you have to remove the front end .. its much easier
you can improvised 12mm wrench. Cut the drive end of a 12mm and hammered it down to box wrench, flushed on one end and sticked a little bit on the other end..
Just loosen is not easy, I suspect that a closed end wrench, ground and shaped, to allow full contact and depth on that bolt head, would be helpful, I just replaced my pump and belt this past evening, in my attempt to loosen the bolt, I felt some slipping and know when to stop. Another issue is holding the drive sprocket as you put loosening torque on the bolt, I fear putting stress on the gear and chain drive. So I worked the belt around the washer flange of the drive sprocket with some difficulty but not impossible nor causing damage, it helps to align the belt cog valley at a right angle to start. BTW, at 95k, the Audi Dealer said my pump was leaking and they could do it for $1250 (😂😂😭), I said that wasn't going to happen. I drove another 8k miles on it, monitoring the amount of coolant I was adding, not too bad and I wasn't seeing gross leakage anywhere. Turns out that the pump bearing was shot, it had a little wobble to it and belt had some slack.
I've had to replace the orig water pump 2 times now. One thing I did was to slap on silicone gasket sealant over the area on top that gets oily from oil that drips down from oil changes to prevent oil from gettin on that rubber gasket seal. Another thing (which wasn't available at the time) was an all aluminum body water pump available at ECS Tuning. Just got it and it looks great.. A sturdy seal and an all aluminum body that wont crack like my 1st one did. The second one didn't crack but the main seal failed after only 30K. I want to replace the drive belt and hopefully will be able to keep me on track. I didn't know it was a lefty bolt either!
@AlexTheMechanic I tried using a pry bar on the water pump gear but ended up putting a random screw in between the gear and block to lock it up. Crankshaft pulley didn't lock it up for me for whatever reason??
Indeed .. but I've done it this way many many time with zero issues ever .. small low torque bolt .. im not worried If you want to change it .. it usually comes with a new one in the water pump kit Its just harder to install when its completely off .. very hard to get in there to get the thread started
With a 12mm wrench on the bolt and you loosen clockwise If you can remove the bolt you shouldn't attempt the job .. if you break the bolt you'll hate yourself
I broke that bolt replacing my water pump. I bought the special Schwaben tool that is used on ONLY that bolt for 200 bucks to make sure i did everything just right, and that stupid thing snapped off.
I got quotes from 2,000 dollars all the way up to "you need to replace the engine."
Because there's no space i couldn't get the broken shaft of the bolt out, and because i had basically over-tightened it, it wouldn't just spin out.
I decided the car was done. I accepted my fate. I almost cried, not because i loved the car all like that but because i couldn't believe i made such a stupid mistake. I still owed over 8k on the car.
I went upstairs and got drunk. At some point i decided since the car was toast i might as well go nuts on it, so i grabbed some JB weld and put it on the bolt head. I stuck it in there and walked away for about 4 hours.
I came back and that bitch twisted right out. Single greatest moment o my DIY career.
I feel sorry for you
You have to pull the engine out to replace the balance shaft on a transverse engine .. its pretty impossible to do in place
On a longitudinal engine you have to remove the front end .. its much easier
@@AlexTheMechanicread his ending, he got it out.
You just saved me from making a huge mistake. Thank you!!
yeah.imagine snapping that bolt off lol
Thanks bro very informative 👌 True Mechanic
What is the life expectancy of the belt?
you can improvised 12mm wrench. Cut the drive end of a 12mm and hammered it down to box wrench, flushed on one end and sticked a little bit on the other end..
Just loosen is not easy, I suspect that a closed end wrench, ground and shaped, to allow full contact and depth on that bolt head, would be helpful, I just replaced my pump and belt this past evening, in my attempt to loosen the bolt, I felt some slipping and know when to stop. Another issue is holding the drive sprocket as you put loosening torque on the bolt, I fear putting stress on the gear and chain drive. So I worked the belt around the washer flange of the drive sprocket with some difficulty but not impossible nor causing damage, it helps to align the belt cog valley at a right angle to start. BTW, at 95k, the Audi Dealer said my pump was leaking and they could do it for $1250 (😂😂😭), I said that wasn't going to happen. I drove another 8k miles on it, monitoring the amount of coolant I was adding, not too bad and I wasn't seeing gross leakage anywhere. Turns out that the pump bearing was shot, it had a little wobble to it and belt had some slack.
Yeah had to bring the taper off one of my spanners to get good hold of it.
Whats the torque spec fot the belt sproket Bold (12mm), does anyone know or do u just hand tightened? please advice...
Alex U best ...!!! Also tell , what we have to do with not oil resistance waterpump gasket?
I've had to replace the orig water pump 2 times now. One thing I did was to slap on silicone gasket sealant over the area on top that gets oily from oil that drips down from oil changes to prevent oil from gettin on that rubber gasket seal. Another thing (which wasn't available at the time) was an all aluminum body water pump available at ECS Tuning. Just got it and it looks great.. A sturdy seal and an all aluminum body that wont crack like my 1st one did. The second one didn't crack but the main seal failed after only 30K. I want to replace the drive belt and hopefully will be able to keep me on track. I didn't know it was a lefty bolt either!
Brags about taking little things out of the way to do the job right then leaves the coolant reservoir in 😂
thank you for the pro tip, brother!
To counter hold can I just use the 24mm bolt or do I need the special pulley holder tool?
24mm bolt with ratchet or breaker bar .. easier while someone hold it for you
@@AlexTheMechanic Counter hold what exactly? Crankshaft bolt? I can't get the reverse threaded bolt out.
Yes the counter hold the crankshaft from the crank pulley bolt
The reverse thread bolt should come loose .. always did for me and I done many of these
@AlexTheMechanic I tried using a pry bar on the water pump gear but ended up putting a random screw in between the gear and block to lock it up. Crankshaft pulley didn't lock it up for me for whatever reason??
Thanks Alex😊
Worked for me. Thanks!
What happens if you spin the bolt the wrong way? Does it throw timing off?
Well first it could snap in the balance shaft ... second if you spin the balance shaft the wrong way you could potentially skip timing
Is it possible to get the belt on without even loosening the sprocket?
No
You just need a 12mm recessed head wrench pull up to remove
Great video
Do you use special tool to get the bolt off? Hvala brate
No regular wrench 13mm if im not mistaken
Bolt is reverse threads so clockwise to loosen
Dont forget to counter hold the crankshaft .. very important
@@AlexTheMechanic i made my own tool 12 mm welded onto a open end wrench worked good
@@AlexTheMechanic long live rusija brother
@@AlexTheMechanicmy belt won’t spin at all anymore I replaced the pump and belt is this why because it’s spun out of the balance shaft
Replace the belt, always. Having to replace the belt after the work is done is a pain. Had mine snap 2 weeks after the work was finished
bolt per VW is one-time use
Indeed .. but I've done it this way many many time with zero issues ever .. small low torque bolt .. im not worried
If you want to change it .. it usually comes with a new one in the water pump kit
Its just harder to install when its completely off .. very hard to get in there to get the thread started
and in the pulley the position does not matter if it moves
For the belt .. no it can go any position
How did you loosen the bolt??? Useless video. That bolt won't come off
With a 12mm wrench on the bolt and you loosen clockwise
If you can remove the bolt you shouldn't attempt the job .. if you break the bolt you'll hate yourself
@AlexTheMechanic you still completely skipped it in your video