My T-day project..

[garion]

I had most of the week off, so I decided to do the timing belt on my DD, 07 Audi A4, 2.0T (w/ for those that care).

I had done the timing belt on my Fiat last year, so I had the confidence to do it on the Audi.

First thing's first. I had to get the Audi into "service" position.. This involves removing the front bumper, a few other bolts, and the sliding the whole front end forward about six inches.. What i wouldn't give to do that on the Fiat.

Start taking apart the front end of the engine apart, and one of things to do is remove the crank pulley. There are six aluminum bolts, all tight around the crank bolt. And they use a 'triple square' tool.. I didn't have that, so I used a compatible torx.. Got 4 of the six loosened. The other 2 started to strip. No one near me sells those triple square tools, so I order some from Amazon.

Now for the fun. The wife and I already had plans to go to Vegas for vaca and to have Thanksgiving with some of her family.. So I leave the car for a few days, while the tools come in the mail.

While in Vegas, I find out that the the wife's cousin knows the shop manager for the Ferrari dealership at the Wynn.. He makes a couple texts, and the next day, I'm taking a behind the scenes tour of the Ferrari dealership.. I get to see customers cars, parked out back.. Including some Ferrari's I have never seen before.. I'm not allowed to post pictures, as he may loose his job if it ever gets back to him.. And the best part. They no only do Ferrari's, but other cars. The best part of my Ferrari tour was an american car from 1967. The Batmobile. Yes. That Batmobile. From the original show, in for service. Holy &*^%*& that was awesome.. Even let my wife and I sit in it. I WAS BATMAN! Answered the batphone and everything. Signed by the actors, and builder. I know people may not believe me, cause I can't post pics, but it did happen.

After Vegas, get home, and my tools have arrived. Got the last 2 bolts off the crank, and everything proceeded nicely, except putting the damn bumper back on. I couldn't get one of the nuts holding the bumper back on.. Its in a very awkward location, behind the wheel well, towards the front about 8 inches. I was lucky that I got the lower of the 2 that go in there on. Screw it, left it off. Started the car, and everything was perfect.

Anyways.. I would never have attempted it if I hadn't done the Fiat first. And I wouldn't have done that, if it hadn't been help from you guys.

[Daniel]

Your welcome but i think you owe us a tour of that Ferrari shop! then we can call it even. I'll be in vegas next month
so let me know what days are best hehe...

What did the Ferrari look like was it a 2 seat model about to go into production? any inside scoop?

[garion]

The one that he claimed that was never brought to the states is an older one.. Judging from the body style, I'm figuring late 70's to early 80's.. Its a convertible, I think will seat 4, a squarish back end. Interior is odd, in that it has a diamond pattern in the leather dash.

Sorry, I can't help ya get a tour like I did.. It was a favor called in by the family. The service guy kept going on about the mob and casino bosses.

One thing to look for if you do the tour. there is a downstairs room you can visit, and on the way by, you get a view into the service area.. Notice that it has a tile floor.. Every time they drop a tool or large time, the tile cracks, and they have to replace it.. And they polish it everyday to keep it pristine. The shop manager is on call 24/7, and told me stories of him getting called in by some famous guy at 3 in the morning, just to drop off his car..

Oh. And oddly enough, the service entrance is known as the batcave entrance, because its so 'private' and unassuming. Made even better by having the Batmobile in it.

[luckless]

Congrats on a job done in your garage that would have cost a FORTUNE in an Audi dealership. It sounds as complicated as changing the battery in my wife's Solstice (yes, you have to remove a body panel!!!!!). The Ferrari visit is sweet, too. While living in Italy for the last three years, my wife decided my son (10 at the time) and I needed a Father-Son trip, so she sent us on a tour of the Ferrari Museum in Maranello and we got to drive a 2010 California convertible...SWEET! And all on video. I'll post clips one of these days...

[Daniel]

did it look anything like this?



Ferrari GT4 not many of them around nor are they popular.