How to Remove a 1996 A4 Audi Timing Belt

1. Fit the appropriate socket on the tensioner pulley bolt. Rotate the pulley toward the engine to loosen tension on the belt. Lift the belt off the pulleys. Unbolt and remove the tensioner pulley, using the appropriate socket. Unclip the left and right upper timing belt covers, then remove them.
2. Turn the crankshaft clockwise until the timing mark on the crankshaft pulley is lined up at the 12 o'clock position. Ensure that the large holes in the camshaft sprocket locking plates face each other. If not, turn the crankshaft clockwise one more turn.
3. Unplug the crankshaft position sensor. Remove the sensor, using the appropriate socket. Screw the crankshaft holding tool onto the crankshaft and lightly tighten the bolts. Remove the crankshaft damper bolts and damper, using the appropriate socket. You do not need to remove the center bolt to remove the crankshaft.
4. Remove the lower timing belt cover, using the appropriate socket. Loosen both camshaft sprocket bolts, but do not remove them. Loosen the timing belt tensioner bolt and turn the pulley counterclockwise to release tension on the belt. Lift the timing belt off the sprockets and pulleys.
5. Ensure that the camshaft sprockets can turn, but not tilt. Install the timing belt over the camshaft sprockets. Install the camshaft holding tool onto the camshaft and tighten the bolts.
6. Slide the timing belt under the water pump pulley. Route it behind the guide pulley, then under the crankshaft sprocket. Slide it behind the tensioner pulley. Turn the tensioner pulley clockwise, using an 8 mm Allen wrench until you can twist the belt through 90 degrees with your finger and thumb halfway between the water pump pulley and the passenger side camshaft sprocket.
7. Tighten the tensioner bolt to 33 foot-pounds of torque. Tighten the camshaft sprocket bolts to 52 foot-pounds of torque. Remove the crankshaft and camshaft holding tools. Install the crankshaft damper, making sure the notch it lined up with the tab on the crankshaft sprocket at the 3 o'clock position. Reinstall the rest of the parts in reverse order of removal and tighten the crankshaft damper bolts to 18 foot-pounds of torque.