Hi all,

 

New to the forum, I have tried searching but cannot find an answer.

I went to change the timing belt on my 2007 140ps Diesel Octavia 4x4 estate and had some issues. My mate and I got it stripped down and had the locking tool etc. We spent over an. hour trying to get the timing marks to align. It is the engine with the elliptical crank pulley. Here are the issues;

1. When we got the cam marks aligned (we couldn't find a mark but the tech sheet suggested the 1 o'clock position) the crank pulley mark was nowhere near, but the cam locking tool hole aligned with the hole in the head at that position.

2. When the cam was in the right position we could see the hole for the locking tool but couldn't get the locking too to fully locate.

3. When we got the crank pulley mark into the correct position we couldn't get the crank locking tool to seat and lock, and obviously, the cam mark was out.

 

Has anyone else found any of these?

Am I missing something fundamental?

Is there a make of locking tool that anyone would recommend? Remembering that I am not a professional mechanic so would not be able to fully recoup the cost, but don't mind spending £20-30

 

Sorry if I am revisiting an old thread I just couldn't find it.

The last belt change was done one or more teeth out?

 

I would lock the cams as they are what would move on their own, then remove the belt and carefully rotate the crankshaft into the correct position and lock it in place then fit and tension the new belt.

 

If you are 100% happy with the current valve timing, engine performs as it should, economy etc, then slice the belt in half throughout its length with a Stanley knife, remove the outer part leaving the other half of the belt in place to maintain the timing, release and lock the tensioner just enough to slide the new belt on to butt up against the old half belt, cut off the old belt, slide the new into position and reset the belt tension.

 

Its a rough and ready but safe way of changing a belt without the locking tools or if there are no timing marks but only if the engine was performing as it should.

Edited 18 June, 20197 yr by J.R.