Hey guys so quick question. I found a diy on timing belt in a 2000 vw and have a quick question before I start. They use a mark and match system for making sure it goes back in right. I understand marking the pullies but why is the belt tooth count so important! Seems to me reguardless of how the belt is installed one revolution would turn the cam and crank the same reguardless?

 

Check TDIClub.com or Myturbodiesel.com for the proper timing belt procedure if this is a diesel engine you are working on. You will have to buy or rent the proper tools to lock everything down. Do not use the mark and match(aka Mark and Pray) method . Too many VW TDI's have been trashed using this method. If the belt is not done properly you will have contact between the valves and pistons resulting in a head rebuild. For the 2000 model year you will have the ALH TDI engine.

Check this: http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q_h...w_to_index.htm

 

If you have found the tdiclub yet...DO NOT MARK AND PRAY! You MUST use the proper lockdown tools to change a VW timing belt. There are MANY stories of mark and pray job gone wrong! Ask me how I know! That was how I got my hands on my '96 Passat...PO let the TB go!

Tony

 

Aside from the proper "hardware tools" (Cam barring tool (turning tool), an injector pin (or drill bit), and Camshaft holding tool), you will also need the Vag-com Software tool to see how close you got the timing. The "hardware" tools will get you in the ballpark to safely start the engine. The software will help you put the timing exactly where you want it (advanced or stock).

 

Ha yes. All makes sense. But being that it sounds like you went with the mark and pray method. Why does the tooth count matter? Still seems to me that X number of crank turns is the same X number of cam turns ya know?

 

To me, it's just a way of verifying the relationship between any two of the sprockets. If you put a mark on the cam sprocket, and a mark on the IP sprocket, then count how many belt teeth are between the two marks, then you will always be able to double check that your cam and IP are timed to each other properly when you put the new belt on.

 

this timing procedure does apply to all 1.6 and 1.9 idi engines from vw, not shure about tdi's but they should be essentially the same.

Make shure you lock the cam shaft and injector pump, THIS IS A MUST, now best way to do time one of these engines if im not mistaken is like this, set your timing belt onto the crank, injector pump, intermediate shaft, and tensioner. leave it off the camshaft, now what you do is you remove the camshaft sprocket, (should not be keyed) this can be removed with a hammer and punch (theres a small hole in the rear timing cover for this purpose. Once you have the cam sprocket off, slide it into the timing belt ensuring that there is very little slack between the cam sprocket and injector pump. Next re-install the cam sprocket LEAVING IT LOOSE ON THE SHAFT. (dont tighten the bolt). now you want to put tension on the timing belt, as you do this the cam sprocket should rotate ON the camshaft, but because its loosely installed it wont rotate the camshaft (camshaft is locked). once you have tension on the timing belt, tighten the cam sprocket onto the camshaft, remove the locks and rotate the engine 2 over and makeshure everything still lines up.


okay the reason for leaving the cam loose and applying tension, is this: if you tension the timing belt with the cam tight, you will end up rotating the crankshaft, because its not locked, (toothed belt, in order for it to tension up, is must rotate on one of the shafts).

as for the vw specialty tools you can get them from vw or most tool suppliers, or do what I did and make your own.

hope this helps!!!!!!!!!

 

What war machine said!

I've only done 2 timing belts: my '96, and the '06. I have over 22k miles on the '96 TB and 11k miles on the '06 with no issues. I have and use the proper tools. If you search the tdiclub for 'mark and pray' you sill find MANY timing belt failures. You get more than 1 tooth off in crank to cam timing, and you risk pistong-valve contact! Timing is that tight on these motors!

Tony

 

What everyone else said......you got some good feed back here.....

 

Make sure when you pin the pump, it is in the right hole.

 

I second the "go to TDIForums and read all you can about the procedure" suggestion. There's a wealth of info on there and someone, somewhere has done what you are about to. Learn from their mistakes before you go making your own.

Good luck! The VW TDI is an awesome little engine, and will last forever if ya treat it right.