I have just changed the Cam Belt on a 2009 2.0 Tdi VRS CR CEG engine. 125k miles

 

When locking in TDC there was the following problem.

 

The locking Pin for the CAM went in ok but I was unable to lock the High pressure sprocket, the attached photo shows that it was off by about  20 degrees to the right from where it should be.

 

SO... I decided to put the new belt on exactly the same and did not to move the pump sprocket back.

 

I marked the belt and 3 sprockets and transposed these marks to the new belt, I also made sure that the number of teeth on both belts were the same between marks.

 

Its back on the road and running perfectly.

 

It would seem that whoever fitted the previous belt got it wrong.
 

As the manual says these positions are critical , why with this offset does it work, in fact the performance of this car is outstanding both before and after belt change.

 

 

The high pressure pump isn't " timed " to the engine as such.

It just provides a flow of high pressure fuel to the rail.

 

There may be an ideal position for the sprocket, to even out the load on the belt.

20 minutes ago, PipH said:

The high pressure pump isn't " timed " to the engine as such.

It just provides a flow of high pressure fuel to the rail.

 

There may be an ideal position for the sprocket, to even out the load on the belt.

Ah ok thanks. Thought it may be timed to valve openings. 
so next time I can just move the sprocket manually to its ideal position?

2 hours ago, Ratcatcher said:

Ah ok thanks. Thought it may be timed to valve openings. 
so next time I can just move the sprocket manually to its ideal position?

The timing comes direct from the ECU to the injectors.

If this is how it has been since the belt was last changed, I wouldn't touch it until it needs doing again.