rabbit timing marks

Oops- It looks like I was side tracked in my first paragraph. The pulley that I meant to name is the crankshaft timing gear. Sorry about that. thanks

-chris

Did you reread your post totally? I do not see any reason why you would think that that sprocket might need to be replaced. I never replaced a crankshaft timing belt sprocket or a camshaft sprocket.

You remove the number 1 sparkplug. You look inside the hole to see if the piston is close to the top. You insert a long screwdriver. You slowly turn the crankshaft and watch the screwdriver rise. You keep turning and watch the screwdriver go down. You go back until you see it go as high as it can go. If you have a good eye you can see Top Dead Center within a degree or two. Look at your flywheel to see if it has any marks. The Bentley repair manual specifically mentions the no timing mark issue and tells you where to make a mark. You are using the Bentley repair manual?

After you figure that out you make sure the camshaft is correct and the rotor in the distributor is pointing to the correct place. After you assemble and tighten the timing belt you turn the engine 2 complete turns and check the flywheel, distributor and camshaft. If you are skillful the car will start. Even with the camshaft off one tooth the car can start and idle but may lack power.Set timing with timing light. Test drive. I know when I goof up with one lap around the block as the car lacks power.

I do all the seals which is just three when I do a Rabbit timing belt. If you do not then you will have leaks.

You are replacing the idler pulley as they are almost always shot or will be soon?

I apologize. It was late and I was tired and must have deleted part of my post before submitting it. The reason why I would need to replace the crank shaft pulley is because it is chipped and cracked. It looks like it was a bad casting ans another chunk is ready to fall out.

Thank you for the help. I'll take your suggestions and give it a go. I have spoken to an ex- vw mechanic and it seems that I was looking for a timing mark on the crankshaft pulley instead of behind the inspection plate?? I am sure that is where the confusion came in. In fact ,my manual -Haynes- is not much help and probably led to further confusion. I bought it the day I purchased my car and it was the only one in available at that time. I repeatedly hear that the Bently is far superior and will look into getting one.

Than you for the tips on the seals although I am not sure what seals you are talking about. I will also take a look at the idler pulley. Obviously I am no mechanic, only just beginning to learn.

Thanks again and sorry for the incomplete post. I should make a note to myself to only write messages before my brain shuts down for the night.

Yes you look through a hole in the transmission bell housing. Sometimes there is a plug you need to unscrew. A pair of Channel locks is usually big enough to unscrew the plug.

There is a crankshaft seal, an intermediate shaft seal and a camshaft seal. I replace all three on Rabbits as they are going to leak and make a mess. If you are inexperienced you might want to get someone who knows how to do VW seals to teach you.

Yes you want to replace that lower timing sprocket if it is messed up. The idler pulley is what you twist to apply proper tension to the timing belt.

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Thanks alot Jim. As always you have given me some really useful advice. Take care.

-chris