MK2 GTI 1991, timing belt replacement

[Ben Lessani]

It is near impossible to put the crank or cam pulleys back on wrong, however, setting the engine to TDC for a timing belt change isn't necessary. Mark up the current positions, stick the car in gear, pull off the belt and throw a new one on (with tensioner), messing about lining stuff up shouldn't be necessary if you are a remotely capable diy'er.

Following the book sucks, we'd be removing the +ve battery lead every time we open the bonnet

[Scoobydoogolf]

This pulley only drives the alternator, but has the reference point on it to set up the timing with the dot on the intermediate shaft pulley for the distributor   

[Scoobydoogolf]

As Ben said I could have marked the belt with tipex, but in this case the belt snapped due to oil contamination and I had no reference points to go by so I had to do it by the book   

[AudiA8Quattro]

It is near impossible to put the crank or cam pulleys back on wrong, however, setting the engine to TDC for a timing belt change isn't necessary. Mark up the current positions, stick the car in gear, pull off the belt and throw a new one on (with tensioner), messing about lining stuff up shouldn't be necessary if you are a remotely capable diy'er.

Following the book sucks, we'd be removing the +ve battery lead every time we open the bonnet

Thats your opinion, and yes that method is fine.
However i personally i would much rather use the factory marks, that way i know the timing is totally spot on, as any previous owners could have changed it, and may not be totally spot on.

[rubjonny]

as above, cant always rely on anyone else to do the job properly! my digi mk2 timing was way off, very fun on roundabouts! foot down... nothing....nothing...OMGIMGONNMADIE....vroom...newpantstime!

[DarnPB]

You would have to work really hard at fitting the bottom pulley incorrectly as the bolt holes need to line up, and they do only in one position. Same with the camshaft pulley. The intermediate shaft that drives the oil pump and the dizzy can be fitted wrong, but that is unimportant as the dizzy can be moved accordingly. A bit gash, but it works. The flywheel position I am not sure about. I though this also could be fitted in only one position, but TBH, never tried altering the position. I have always put these back on by the book.

[rubjonny]

the flywheel at first glance looks liek it can be fitted 1 of 3 ways, but there are 2 locking dowels that should prevent this.
however sometimes this doesnt prevent someone from fitting it wrong anyway then winding the bolts on squashing the dowels and bending the pressure plate

[Diamond Hell]

Following the book sucks, we'd be removing the +ve battery lead every time we open the bonnet

There's little harm in doing that, especially as it takes approx 10 seconds to do and is a bloody good safeguard (unless you're working on a Golf3 diesel).

I think some of us on here are in the position of having been bitten by taking shortcuts like this, while others still have lessons to learn.

To be honest, you're best off lining the pulleys up according to the book, if you can and then time the dizzi up afterwards.  That way you'll know it's set up right to start.  It's all too easy to slip a tooth when trying to do something wearing a stetson and spurs and if you don't know what you were aiming for to start with it's going to be tough knowing what to do when things go wrong (as they inevitably will).

[AudiA8Quattro]

There's nothing wrong with doing things by the book, at least then you get piece of mind.
I suspect many people do take lots of short cuts, for example, how many people on here actually use a torque wrench for everything?

[mattneck(Beavis)]

Following the book sucks, we'd be removing the +ve battery lead every time we open the bonnet

There's little harm in doing that, especially as it takes approx 10 seconds to do and is a bloody good safeguard (unless you're working on a Golf3 diesel).

Haha. Smoke, more smoke.. Riiip.

BTW Don't you remvoe the ngeative as the chassis is earth? If you remove the positive and it touched anything would it not just short?? :/