Cambelt cover

[frlrubett]

1988 Scala on an F reg.

Was told when my timing belt was changed the 'lower cam belt cover' was missing.

Spoke to heritage parts and they supplied me with this part. Went to have it fitted and my guy said the part was not correct for the engine, said he had to adapt it to get it to fit and even after that, it was rubbing. So took it off with some scorch marks on it!

He said it might be correct for the engine but it would not fit into the upper cam belt cover, so either I was given the wrong lower cam cover or my upper cam belt cover is incorrect meaning they do not go together correctly!

Does anyone have experience with this? have spoken to heritage parts and they are sure it is the right cover for the engine.

Is the cam belt cover essential? I always thought that keeping dirt away from a vital part would be a good idea.

Thanks!

[unknownmale]

Is your upper cover metal?

[mark1gls]

Have you got a picture of you engine and the cover?

Was this the part Heritage sent?
https://www.vwheritage.com/026109175a-l ... 8-vw-spare

Is your car a UK spec car without power steering and or Air con?

You have to remove the top part of the cover, alternator belt and crank pulley to fit the lower cover.

If you tension the cambelt and turn the tensioner the wrong way the lower cover does not fit.

Did they replace the tensioner as well as the belt?

I find with mine I have to space out the cover a little with a washer on the rear bottom fixing or the belt slights rubs the cover.

There is only 2 types of cambelt cover, early cars had a 1 piece metal cover and later cars had a 2 piece cover with a metal top part and a plastic lower cover and they fit all the big block VW engines (Golfs, jetta, Scirocco etc..) used from 1974 to 1992 ish so for a 1988 car it should fit.

Do you know the engine code stamped on the engine block below cyinder 3 because perhaps the reason it's missing is you have a different engine block from something like a MK3 golf?

Yes you really need some sort of cover fitted to keep the belt and you safe.

[frlrubett]

Is your upper cover metal?

Yes upper part is metal.

[unknownmale]

Ok, you have this set up - http://www.oemepc.com/vw/part_single/ca ... 900/lang/e

So the plastic lower cover wont fit up.

I'd suggest getting the plastic upper cover - https://www.vwheritage.com/026109107b-u ... 8-vw-spare as they're a bit nicer to work with, lighter, wont get hot and don't chip and go rusty!

It doesn't say it in that listing but it should also come with a separate plastic attachment to the bolts of the rocker cover...If it doesn't I have a bunch of these spare.

[frlrubett]

Have you got a picture of you engine and the cover?

Was this the part Heritage sent?
https://www.vwheritage.com/026109175a-l ... 8-vw-spare

Is your car a UK spec car without power steering and or Air con?

You have to remove the top part of the cover, alternator belt and crank pulley to fit the lower cover.

If you tension the cambelt and turn the tensioner the wrong way the lower cover does not fit.

Did they replace the tensioner as well as the belt?

I find with mine I have to space out the cover a little with a washer on the rear bottom fixing or the belt slights rubs the cover.

There is only 2 types of cambelt cover, early cars had a 1 piece metal cover and later cars had a 2 piece cover with a metal top part and a plastic lower cover and they fit all the big block VW engines (Golfs, jetta, Scirocco etc..) used from 1974 to 1992 ish so for a 1988 car it should fit.

Do you know the engine code stamped on the engine block below cyinder 3 because perhaps the reason it's missing is you have a different engine block from something like a MK3 golf?

Yes you really need some sort of cover fitted to keep the belt and you safe.

Thanks, Yes it was that spec.

Standard Uk Spec no air con etc.

From what I could see the mechanic had the correctly installed it, and also put a washer on to space it correctly.

I will check the engine code on the block against the log book and report back. Potentially mechanic was having a laugh also he wasn't the usual guy I use.

Thanks

[frlrubett]

Ok, you have this set up - http://www.oemepc.com/vw/part_single/ca ... 900/lang/e

So the plastic lower cover wont fit up.

I'd suggest getting the plastic upper cover - https://www.vwheritage.com/026109107b-u ... 8-vw-spare as they're a bit nicer to work with, lighter, wont get hot and don't chip and go rusty!

It doesn't say it in that listing but it should also come with a separate plastic attachment to the bolts of the rocker cover...If it doesn't I have a bunch of these spare.

The mechanic did say the upper housing was impeding him putting the lower cover on and they did not seem to fit correctly together. For the eight quid for an upper cover will give that a bash. I am away for a week so will order then get back to you net week if the rocker cover bit is not present.

Thanks

[GT_II]

My '92 has the plastic version - I suspect this was introduced around 1989 or 1990. The small backing filler is a separate part, 026109173A, also available as a reproduction part from VW Heritage.

[mark1gls]

Frlrubett..
"The mechanic did say the upper housing was impeding him putting the lower cover on and they did not seem to fit correctly together."

The top metal cover is the last thing to go on... so to fit the lower cover you must remove the top cover or it wont fit as the top cover fit's over the lower cover...
perhaps that's your problem... or a mechanic not knowing what they are doing?

[unknownmale]

Nah, the lower cover he has is the wrong one for the upper cover he has. He ordered it from heritage, they don't sell the lower cover he needs.

Easiest solution is to get the upper cover to match his new lower cover.

[mark1gls]

Oh right...

That's why pictures are very helpful as it stops the mix ups.

[frlrubett]

Thanks for everyones help. Would have been running around in circles for ages with this!

[frlrubett]

So assuming my engine is the DX then...

https://www.vwheritage.com/026109107b-u ... 8-vw-spare

+

https://www.vwheritage.com/026109175a-l ... 8-vw-spare

+

https://www.vwheritage.com/026109173a-u ... 8-vw-spare


+ some washers and fitting.

EQUALS....... A fully protected cam belt.

[unknownmale]

It'll fit your car regardless of the code assuming it's an 8v uk car

If you're in the UK and you have a carb it's likely an EX and DX if fuel injected. But the cover will fit regardless.

[PeteGLi]

What part number did Heritage supply? 049109175 or 026109175A, because I think you will find that they are exactly the same.
The picture on the oemepc site referred to above, looks nothing like the actual part!
It will fit the top metal cover, but as mark1gls says - you have to remove the top cover in order to fit the bottom cover.