Cambelt replacement advice 1992 EX

[NebToast]

I'm doing the cambelt on my new to me roc. I've got the alt belt off and I'm trying to get the lower cam cover off to get at the belt. The Haynes is a bit unhelpful here, from what I've read you have to take the lower pulley off, the one with 4 allen bolts and a big 19mm in the middle. I've got the 4 off, do I have to take the big 19mm centre bolt off or is the pulley just stuck on and needs a bash with a rubber mallet?

My last project was an 89 polo with similarly annoying cambelt covers, though the Rocco has much more room to work in which is good.

Any other adice for this job?

Cheers
(I'll put a build thread up for this one soon)

[mr.brown]

Bash with mallet to get the pulley off. That centre bolt holds the crank gear to the crankshaft so leave well alone.

There is a cheat way to do this job - slice the existing cam belt in half LENGTHWAYS, slide the new one on and then cut off the old one. There might be a video of this online from a Car SOS episode.

[mark1gls]

Just the 4 bolts need to come off, when putting it all back together smear a little copper grease on the back of the pully to stop it sticking again, I also smear a little copper grease on the bolts as they can rust in place.

Make sure you turn the tensioner the right way as you wont be able to get the plastic cover back on as the tensioner will be in the way.

[NebToast]

cheers, with a bit of wriggling the pulley came off. New belts both back on (fingers crossed I didn't cock up the timing). I've ordered some circlip pliers to tighten the tensioner as that seems to be the recommended tool.

I've got my strobe timing light, any advice on how/where the timing marks are on the EX engine? Is it the little arrow on the top cover and the dimple on the sprocket I have to line up, or the little arrow and the LT(?) | OT mark I have to line up?

[mark1gls]

What year is your car as timing marks moved on later cars which had a plastic back cover on the cam shaft?

[NebToast]

What year is your car as timing marks moved on later cars which had a plastic back cover on the cam shaft?

1992 EX 1.8

[mark1gls]

Pictures from my Mk1 Golf DX engine.

https://vwgolfmk1.org.uk/forum/index.ph ... sed-timing

On the cam shaft is there a plastic cover with timing marks on it?

You can search Mk1 golf timing as it’s the same engine fitted.

[mark1gls]

Look at rubjonny post, he knows everything...

https://www.clubgti.com/forums/index.ph ... es.271614/

[mark1gls]

To check everything is ok bebefore starting the car turn it over by hand to make sure nothing locks up, put a 19mm socket on the bottom pulley nut you was trying to undo..

[Eagle1]

If you've got the locking tool it may foul the top engine mount. I've now bought the adjustable version. Also make sure the pulley bolts are secure. Mine decided they wanted to undo even after being double checked.

[Nate]

I've ordered some circlip pliers to tighten the tensioner as that seems to be the recommended tool.

I use a universal angle grinder tool such as https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 3403200271

Some of them need the pins tickling down a little with a file or grinder