Timing belt, mark and match method question?

[Midwest_beetlebug]

Hi, after reading allot of posts on this site I am attempting to replace the T-belt, tensioner, and H2O pump on my 1999 2.0 beetle. I will attempt to do it without moving the crank or cam gears and marking the new and old belts, counting teeth, etc.

My question is this: If I don't need to find TDC because I will not be moving the gears, is there any reason to remove the spark plugs?

I just bought this car, (my 1st water cooled beetle), 300 miles ago from a private party. The car has 79000 miles, I only went 300 before the pump went out. I am glad to find this site, and have learned allot in a few days!

Thanks!

[Midwest_beetlebug]

Ok, so I'm almost ready to take the timing belt off, if anyone cares to chime in....? I am planning on not adjusting anything in relation to TDC or removing the plugs to aid in spinning the motor, since it seems I do not need to. I'm I right on this??? As long as I mark up the old and new belts with ref. to the cam and crank gears and count teeth to match I should be ok right???

If anyone has an opinion I would appreciate it!!

Thanks!

[bugasm99]

you don't not need to remove the plugs or worry about aligning with TDC if you are mark and matching. I would suggest marking multiple teeth on the cam gear as well as the crank gear with different colors so you know exactly what goes where. Line up the crank teeth first, then move up to the cam gear. You can use a wrench to spin the cam gear slightly to align with the markings on the new belt.

[Midwest_beetlebug]

Great thats what I thought, and I plan to mark the heck out of it, just needed a little reasurance, as this is the first time for me.


Thanks!

[Midwest_beetlebug]

I have been following the great DIY post I found here.

Its all going well, but I am confused on one part. Part #4 of Step #11 (as listed below)? Why do I need to rotate the crank after instal, what does that do??

Step 11 (Verifying Things):

1. Make sure that the 13mm nut on the tensioner is tight
2. Check the timing belt tension by observing the little finger on the tensioner. It must align with the tension mark (a Y shaped lever)
3. Verify all timing belt marks one more time
4. Now, with 19 mm socket and wrench, turn the crankshaft clockwise slowly.
You must make at least 2 complete turns. The last 1/4 of a turn or 90 degrees must be non-interruptible.

Thanks!

[bugasm99]

you want to do this to make sure that the entire motor can spin freely without the valves hitting or interfeering with the pistons. There will be some resistance as the pistons will try to compress. But you should still be able to rotate the motor.

The reason you make twho full rotations of the crank is that it is a 4 stroke motor and for every 2 rotations of the crank, the cam only makes one rotation. You want to make sure everything runs through correctly.

[Midwest_beetlebug]

That makes sense, thank you!