Changing tappets on a 8v

[OakeyDoak16v]

If you can afford it and for self reassurance, change the bugger. Then you know it's done. You can start a fresh on everything else.
 
Dont cut corners, if you've got the head off do it anyway.

[Diamond Hell]

You should know better DH, 8vs are non interferance (well, prior to lairy cams and heavy skimming)

You should know better Ben, if you read the information about cambelts it says if you release the belt it should be replaced.

[Ben Lessani]

Genuinely didn't know that. I've had my timing belt off a bajillion times too

[fishnchipsx2]

Where did you read this information?

[Diamond Hell]

Where did you read this information?

IIRC it's been on many boxes that cambelts have been in.

[AudiA8Quattro]

That's an interesting one DH.
I've never heard that before myself, not a single workshop manual i've read says it needs to be done if released.
Although i agree if its all apart you may as well change it.

[DOA]

Do you always change the alternator belt when you take that off?
Not that it matters but ive never read anything recomending replacing HTD belts (thats all that most timing belts are) if removed in any industrial manuals/catalogues, only to calculate the service life and replace along the lines of that time. Just because a box says something, doesnt mean it always applies, it just means the things written on there are for the lowest common denominator to stop idiots suing the manufacturers when they poke a screwdriver through the belt and pop it back on again because "they know no better".

[DarnPB]

Alternator belts are non critical to the running of your engine. With most engines, the cam belt is. If your alternator belt fails, you have about half an hour left to get to a safe place. If your cam belt fails, usually you end up on the side of whatever road you just happen to be on with a lunched engine. Saying that though, common sense comes into play here. if you live in a hot country, belts deteriorate faster, so you they need their changing times revising. If you have recently changed it, does it need changing again? No matter how old or how many miles it has done, has it slipped a tooth? The answers are endless with no definative one.
Use of the grey matter will tell you if it requires changing or not. The notes on the boxes are a 'get out of jail free card', and are only recomendations.

[Daston]

Hmmm well I picked up a new belt and tensioner pulley so will change the lot. At least then I know I have done it.

However I think I have run into my first problem, cant get the bloody cam cover off. Undone all the nuts and it looks like some sealent is between the head and the cover making it stick hard. To be honest it looks almost like expanding foam 

[fishnchipsx2]

Those upper cambelt covers are one of the most horrible designs in the world.  Basically, you're probably gonna need to yank it hard, they're really difficult and fiddly to take off.   It's probably worth taking off the alternator belt first, that'll make it a little bit easier. 

Edit: sorry, just realised you're not talking about the camBELT cover