How do I set the timing belt? Vehicle has a 1

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1990 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
180,000 MILES

How do I set the timing belt? Vehicle has a 1.8l I have the engine on tdc timing mark on the flywheel is showing through the inspection hole on the trans I just dont know where to set the camshaft mark and intermediate pully marks any help would be appreciated thanks

Thursday, March 7th, 2013 AT 6:44 PM

2 Replies

EXOVCDS

MECHANIC
1,883 POSTS

Camshaft should have a dimple on the inside half of the pulley that should align flush with the valve cover.

If there is no dimple, then there is a cutout between one set of teeth on the front side of the camshaft that aligns with the arrow on the
plastic cover.

The intermediate does not matter as long as the rotor is pointing at the #1 slot in the distributor housing.

Post some pictures and I will edit arrows on them so you can see what I am talking about.

Timing is set / checked at 2300 rpm with the temp sensor disconnected. Do that after you set the belt timing.

Thomas

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Thursday, March 7th, 2013 AT 6:58 PM

EXOVCDS

MECHANIC
1,883 POSTS

Camshaft sprocket dimple:

Rotor at #1:

Crankshaft TDC at flywheel: https://www.2carpros.com/images/external/Pic003a.JPG

These are all generic pictures I found using google search.

Post pictures of what You see, and I will confirm.

Thomas

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Thursday, March 7th, 2013 AT 7:03 PM