Crank Bolt Thread Coating?

[commuter boy]

We've got a local independent shop here with a VW trained mechanic, and he's just had a wobbling crank pulley come back on one of his installs.  

He's claiming that proper VW procedure to install an AAZ crankshaft bolt is to use red Loctite on the bolt in copious quantities.

I was always following the Bentley recommendation to use a light coating of oil.  Is there some sort of TSB from VW spec'ing red Loctite that I don't know of?  Is the torque spec then changed to compensate for the thicker Loctite?

Oddly enough, the mechanic is now claiming that someone else must have changed out the bolt since he did the last timing belt as he didn't see any Loctite on the bolt.  I've seen Loctite crumble away quite a bit in a higher than spec's temperture environment.

What say ye?

[BlackTieTD]

what says me? mechanic is full of *** and tryin to pass the buck. that's why we do our own work around here  :lol:

[jtanguay]

does he not know about the AAZ crank wobble???  not a very good mechanic if he doesn't.

[jimfoo]

AFAIK, my AAZ crank bolt was never removed before and it had no locktite on it. I don't think I would have been able to remove it if it had. Also why would he remove the crank bolt to do a timing belt? :?

[zukgod1]

Also why would he remove the crank bolt to do a timing belt? :?

DING DING DING!!!!!!!!!

That's the million dollar question no?  

[CoolAirVw]

I was always following the Bentley recommendation to use a light coating of oil.  Is there some sort of TSB from VW spec'ing red Loctite that I don't know of?  Is the torque spec then changed to compensate for the thicker Loctite?

VW has a bulliten that there is an upgraded 12 point "stretch" bolt that retrofits back to other vehicles.   Thats the best thing to do but most folks wouldn't remove the crank sprocket when doing a TB.  So if he didn't remove it its not really his fault.


Edit:  Opps!  I see now you have AAZ motor.  12 point stretch bolt may not apply.  I assumed 1.6 cuz thats what I got.   :roll:

[commuter boy]

Just found out as well that he used a "special high power gun" to put the new bolt back on.   :shock:

He's aware of the new spec bolt, and the need not to re-use the old one, but I think he's off a bit in his shop practices.  The shop markets themselves as the local diesel tuning experts, go figure.  They also tore a strip off of me on a local VW board when I suggested they might have made an error in their previous install because "they do everything by the book".    Nice people  :?

[935racer]

IMO, this shop should be mentioned on here, despite their claims they have a plethora of angry customers, hence my stack of their company branded license plate frames sitting in my shop

[commuter boy]

I'll leave that for the board member who's car it was to do so if and when he feels it appropriate.  He may still have some unfinished business with them before this is all over and I don't want to queer it up for him.

[935racer]

I'll leave that for the board member who's car it was to do so if and when he feels it appropriate.  He may still have some unfinished business with them before this is all over and I don't want to queer it up for him.

Good call. Hopefully his crank gets repaired properly in the end.