MK4 GTI Timing Belt

[bullsta]

Hi all. I just had VW Dealers change my timing belt. I checked the tension of the old belt before removal and the new belt seems to have a lot less tension on it.
I can move the belt sideways on the cam (with a little effort) and twist it a fair bit to the right of the cam where it goes down towards the water pump etc.
Is this normal?
I have concerns the belt may slip and the mob working on it did not inspire me.
Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks

[Lito]

You should really be only able to turn it 90 degrees, sounds like a bad tensioner. I'd be taking it back but on a tow truck. When we were building my engine I had to slide the timing belt of the cam gear, it was REALLy difficult though

[Umai Naa!!]

90deg twist on a timing belt is a bilt on the loose side.

It's possible the hydraulic tensioner has failed, or is about to.

Worth returning it el pronto, before the belt slips.

[h100vw]

In the olden days we checked for 90 degrees in the longest run, like you say from the cam pulley to the water pump. Can you really get close to the middle of it?

[bullsta]

Tensioner was replaced.
I tell you it has turned me off VW Technicians forever.
Unfortunately I am in Darwin and I have not seen any other GTI,s up here to compare, but my gut tells me its on the loose side.
Especially noting that this is as tight as the belt will ever be, being new.
If anybody knows of a proper VW specialist in Darwin, please let me know.
Back in Sydney in December but am concerned it may jump b4 then.

[h100vw]

They have to warranty the parts and labour if they supplied them. Obviously that won't make it any better to stomach if it were to fail somehow.

On VWVortex, I was reading about a phone app that can listen to the belt and assess tension.

Gavin

[bullsta]

Hi Gav. Mate wish I had bought from you and fixed myself.
Dealer had my vehicle for 6 days and the whole experience was horrific.
First ordered wrong parts, then forgot to order tensioner and more.
I do not have a lot of confidence in their knowledge of my vehicle and i'm sure the old belt was tighter.
Might have a look at their warranty policy ASAP.
Just wish there was someone up here who knows our cars.
I,m a Google mechanic and I have more of a clue than these(Technicians)

[bullsta]

PS thanks for your support guys.
Appreciated

[h100vw]

Mate, I feel for you. It seems to be the same countrywide. Unless its the current model, they can't do it.

Yet they would have access to all the documentation to build a car from nuts and bolts.

Check the warranty, but I am sure it'll be 2 years on the parts. Then if anything broke, they'd be up to set it straight.

Gavin

[bullsta]

Sweet. That seems to be the case Gav, but as you said these clowns have no clue. 5 years I have kept my car running via google, Watercooled and common sense. Then my only experience through so called specialists is a debacle.
Also nice to here a young bloke from the Service desk tell you how your car is really fast. True story!!

[bullsta]

Also Gav wheres that app?

[h100vw]

VWVortex.com - Gates Racing belt failure....Fun times

Maybe don't read the whole thread.

Gavin

[Lito]

VWVortex.com - Gates Racing belt failure....Fun times

Maybe don't read the whole thread.

Gavin

Haha yeah that thread scared the crap outta me, such carnage

[blackers10]

IF you don't have a race engine don't waste money on a race belt.

[blackers10]

I did my own timing belt and pump. I had soooo much trouble just getting the belt to slide onto the pulleys let alone before I pulled the tensioner pin to go tight...