Told Timing belt should be loose

AdamLalana

AdamLalana

Member
After my recent drama of getting my timing belt changed, I thought I would have a look and this is what I found.


After contacting the mechanic I was told the timing belt should be this way:
Screenshot_20230327-205156.png
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20230328-193654.png
    Screenshot_20230328-193654.png
    1.2 MB · Views: 58
  • Screenshot_20230328-210036.png
    Screenshot_20230328-210036.png
    1.3 MB · Views: 51
Last edited:
Providing he has fitted the belt tensioner correctly then all should be good.


Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals > A2 > Power unit | 4-cylinder petrol injection engine (1.4 ltr.), mechanics | Enginecrankshaft group, pistons | Toothed belt drive | Removing and installing main drive toothed belt

A2 > Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals > Power unit | 4-cylinder petrol injection engine (1.4 ltr.), mechanics | Enginecrankshaft group, pistons | Toothed belt drive | Removing and installing main drive toothed belt
workshop-manuals.com
 
audifan said:
Providing he has fitted the belt tensioner correctly then all should be good.


Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals > A2 > Power unit | 4-cylinder petrol injection engine (1.4 ltr.), mechanics | Enginecrankshaft group, pistons | Toothed belt drive | Removing and installing main drive toothed belt

A2 > Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals > Power unit | 4-cylinder petrol injection engine (1.4 ltr.), mechanics | Enginecrankshaft group, pistons | Toothed belt drive | Removing and installing main drive toothed belt
workshop-manuals.com
Click to expand...
I'd say it hasn't been. Too much slack in that belt.
 
My immediate reaction was that is too lose.

My A2 experience though is with a TDi which has a much thicker timing belt. So I checked out my petrol Golf and found a similar deflection to that in your video.

For confirmation / peace of mind use the guidance provided by Audifan to check it is tensioned correctly.
 
philward said:
My immediate reaction was that is too lose.

My A2 experience though is with a TDi which has a much thicker timing belt. So I checked out my petrol Golf and found a similar deflection to that in your video.

For confirmation / peace of mind use the guidance provided by Audifan to check it is tensioned correctly.
Click to expand...
Hi thanks for the reply, where can I find the guidance you mentioned
 
The belt will not exhibit the same tension for the duration of a revolution. My first reaction would too be; that is looks a tad on the loose side.

Try and turn the engine with a spanner and see what happens as you progress. At some point it should tighten, then let go and so on...

It is possible that the tensioner hasn't been done up right.
 
Evripidis said:
The belt will not exhibit the same tension for the duration of a revolution. My first reaction would too be; that is looks a tad on the loose side.

Try and turn the engine with a spanner and see what happens as you progress. At some point it should tighten, then let go and so on...

It is possible that the tensioner hasn't been done up right.
Click to expand...
Take the plugs out, before turning by hand.
Mac.
 
Well I can't as the mechanic will state I altered his work.
He already said I shouldn't be check, prodding and poking to find fault.

Added further conversation to the ongoing saga.
 
Last edited:
Howey said:
What made you check the belt?

If it was my car I would not dare to start it, don't think much to your mechanic tbh
Click to expand...
Because it already went back once as car was hunting on idle.
And he gave me a car which ran out of MOT for over a month, as a courtesy car.
I was checking the coolant level and thought to have a quick look, it's only 2 clips
 
No I don't know them, but any garage supplying a courtesy car without an mot is a huge red flag, then not willing to double check a serious valid concern only question why you were checking their work, to me are totally beyond useless!!

I have fitted hundreds of timing belts, your video would send shivers down my spine if it was my work and knowing a had already made myself look a pillock with the courtesy car!!
 
It does seem a bit loose, to have that much deflection right next to a pulley.
He mentions "the longest run", that's generally where you measure the deflection, in the middle of the longest run. I would imagine that it will turn nearly 180° at that point.

I would take my car elsewhere.
 
It sounds to me rather like that the car should not be driven until it's been checked out by somebody who knows what they're doing. The consequences really don't bear thinking about.
 
simon martyn said:
It sounds to me rather like that the car should not be driven until it's been checked out by somebody who knows what they're doing. The consequences really don't bear thinking about.
Click to expand...
Just to add to this comment, if you did drive it and something catastrophic happen, I don't think he will be very forthcoming with help or repairs for free...I love my indi even more now I have seen it. Oh, I too think it looks too slack.
 
hi there, defo to slack, it will jump teeth if you rev it hard. did the same belt on mine a couple of years ago too the letter of the audi manual,
little or no deflection shown when fitted correctly. your belt is NOT tensioned correctly.
hope this is of some help
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top