Dash Christmas Tree, Car Loses Power, Home on Roll Truck

[Black Turbo S 2002]

Two days ago the check engine light came back on Yesterday it lost power and the EPC & ASR/ESP lights came on, it was barely running & wouldn't drive further so she turned it off & called AAA, they got the car home fine.

What I found when I got home was when you turn the key to start it sounds as if the starter is spinning by itself.

When you lose a timing belt you can at least feel the bottom half of the engine turning.

If indeed a timing belt I will need significant help with documentation and procedure to complete task, I can pretty much fix any car, just like to have as much info as possible so any PDF's and such are welcomed and appreciated.

2002 Turbo S, 104,000 mi


Dave

[pencilneck]

Pull the timing belt cover back some and have some one crank the engine over... does the timing belt move? If not, time to pull the cylinder head off. I've done this repair many times.

[Design]

I would start here:

they have good prices on complete kits including the better water pump, tool rentals if you buy there kits and complete instructions.

Let me know what you find out my 2003 Turbo S has but 3k miles more than you and although I have been told that the timing belt looks good it worries me.

If the belt let go though you usually end up with severe problems as this is an interference engine (damaged pistons and valves).

you can easily find out the condition of your belt by popping the cover off the top end of the engine on the belt side. Two spring clips are all that hold it on. You will see the top of the belt and the cam sprockets.

Do you have access to someone with a Vag-com. You really need to pull the codes and see what happened.

[Black Turbo S 2002]

Got a buddy coming with a plain OBD2 so that should help a little I know I won't be able to see airbag stuff. I also really need documentation, anyone got some SW or pdf's for this car?

Thanks for the replies, I'll keep u posted

[Black Turbo S 2002]

Just popped the cover, the Timing Belt appears intact! But when you try to start car is as if the starter just spins, as doesn't engage. the TB has a little slack but if broke I would figure I could pull it out, which I can't

[VDubYah]

Does the starter engage or just spin? The starting gear can hang up on the shaft due to dirt and not engage in these cars. Seems to be a relativly common problem. Most remove the starter and clean and lube it. Works with some, some need new starter.

[pencilneck]

Does it sound like this guy's car when you crank on it?

AJ's VW timing belt broke, and watch him crank and bend the valves - YouTube


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That is bent valves, no compression. Without compression, the start just twirls the crank around without any problems so you get a smooth sound instead of the normal starting noise:

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When driving down the road, if your starter just "fails", the engine doesn't die. When the starter fails, the engine doesn't crank over next time you try to start the engine. I've seen where timing belts shred off some teeth, get out of time, bend valves then gets a grip again and start spinning the cams. Remove the crank pulley and lower timing belt cover, look for shredded timing belt teeth.