Engine running strange after timing

[MattC]

So changed my timing belt myself, worried I'm slightly out of time?? STUPIDLY I didn't check the readings before changing like Pudding said to in the DIY guide.

On idle only, it seems like it's misfiring. However, no codes and coincidental that it's started playing up after changing the belt.

From what I have read phase position is way out should be +/-4°, mine is -14° so potentially chain stretched...
And camshaft adjustment should be 28/28, mine is 24/24. Crankshaft sprocket and top pulley did not move, marked before checked after new belt installed.

EDIT: Seems like 24° is correct for AXX, which is my engine code.

Opinions?

Thanks!

[MattC]

For anyone interested, it is a tooth out of time.

I'm wondering if this is due to overtightening the tensioner which then turned the bottom sprocket?

[pudding]

Possibly down to how you wrapped the belt around the sprockets, which caused a slack spot when turning the engine over.

I'm not sure you can overtighten the belt as the tensioner pulley has a very clear alignment notch when it's set correctly.

[MattC]

So I fixed it this morning. Turned engine over until I could see pistons at TDC using a long screwdriver then advanced (? clock-wise) valve timing to TDC using the factory mark on the cover.

Turned the car on after fitting the engine mount, checked OBDEleven and the figures were even more out! But the engine sounded great so checked errors and timing on block 91 and 93...
I had code P0011 so cleared that, restarted and the figures are all correct now 24°/24° and 0°KW. Phew!

I don't know what I did to retard the valve timing, possibly had too much tension on the left side of the belt and it got pulled back when tensioned.

Thanks for your insight @Pudding.

[GVK]

VW engines as far back as even as far back as the mk2 16v have this issue where you need to be careful that the tension of the belt turning the crank putting the timing out. Always had to compensate turning the crank 'back' to put the timing 'right' and double check after.

[LC5F]

Well done - I had a miserable time when I did mine after foreign object entering the timing belt cover, this stopping me from using best way of replacing timing belt:
Mark the old belt with all the timing marks, plus make additional mark on crank, then transfer the marks to the new belt - counting the teeth in-between to be 100% sure.

Plus it doesn't help that the crank pulley mark doesn't line up TDC, below is where mine ended up fully aligned:

[breeze]

I thought this video was quite good:

Seemed to give a bit more information than most of the others.

[MattC]

Well done - I had a miserable time when I did mine after foreign object entering the timing belt cover, this stopping me from using best way of replacing timing belt:
Mark the old belt with all the timing marks, plus make additional mark on crank, then transfer the marks to the new belt - counting the teeth in-between to be 100% sure.

Plus it doesn't help that the crank pulley mark doesn't line up TDC, below is where mine ended up fully aligned:

Thanks. Yeah, reading about your slipped belt was interesting as you wouldn't, at least I wouldn't, think about the auxiliary belt interfering with the timing belt. Seems pretty stupid putting TDC marks on a movable plate with room for error. But what do I know lol.

I thought this video was quite good:

Seemed to give a bit more information than most of the others.

I saw this video too, it's pretty good definitely worth reading the DIY guide here posted by dazza and Pudding's notes though.

[pudding]

The best you can do is get it as close as you can. Considering how slack the cam locking tool is, and how far off the belt cover arrow can be, it almost gives the impression the timing isn't that critical    The VVT can take up any slight timing drift on the intake side, but not the exhaust side unfortunately.