David, I have a Skoda Superb (4 cyl diesel) and have recently changed all of the belts as a maintenance procedure.

The Superb is the same as the A6 and the trick is to pull the entire front of the car - radiator, lock panel, headlamps etc. forwards by about 4". The design accomodates this - all wires and pipes are long enough to allow this without any disconnection - I just had to cut one cable tie to do the job.

Officially you need locating pegs for the front panel - it's heavy - but just go to B&Q and buy a couple of M8 bolts about 6" long. The job is perfectly straightforward - if you've got the bumper off you're more than half way there - but stupidly tedious.

Get a manual and all will be clear - if there isn't one for the A6, the Passat manual will do (Haynes 4279). Genuine Continental belts are cheap from ECP.

659.

thanks very much.

Well, I got there!

I found the tensioner for the serpentine belt driving the powetr steering etc awry: its retaining bolt had sheared .

I now have to drill and extract the broken bolt..doesw anyone know whether the hole it srews into is blind ended..I may be abel to screw it right out the back if not..

Much easier than trying to source a left hand drill !

David

The front needs to go into the service position as has been detailed. I suggest you post this on the VWAudiforum.co.uk and include your email address and I or others will send you the details. Regards Peter