Author Topic: do you make youre own timing tools?  (Read 4082 times)

November 08, 2005, 05:28:37 pm

Master ACiD

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do you make youre own timing tools?
« on: November 08, 2005, 05:28:37 pm »
just wondering how i could go about making a good timing belt tensioner tool. instead of buying one.

i was thinking of making a dogbone out of a piece of 2mm thick steetmetal, and drilling 2 holes in the end, for which i would put 2 long bolts with nuts.

does anyone make their own tool?

Reply #1November 08, 2005, 06:33:29 pm

vwmike

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do you make youre own timing tools?
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2005, 06:33:29 pm »
I finally bought the tool a few years ago....I still think it was $25 well spent.

Reply #2November 09, 2005, 12:45:20 am

Maarten

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do you make youre own timing tools?
« Reply #2 on: November 09, 2005, 12:45:20 am »
If you can find a Midlock dealer where you live, the correct tools set me back 12 euros...

It gives you much better feel about the tension applied to the tensioner.
Audi A3 TDI '98
VW cabby '79
VW T3 1.9TD '91

Reply #3November 13, 2005, 08:05:34 am

dieselweasel

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do you make youre own timing tools?
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2005, 08:05:34 am »
I like the drill bit and screwdriver method.  Myself, I use a pair of snap ring pliers with 90 degree tips.  Works great.  I've heard of people stealing a dinner fork from the kitchen and bending two of the prongs.  That would likely work well if it was a good fork.
'94 Jetta TD dusty mauve-302,xxx kms

Reply #4November 13, 2005, 10:39:29 am

935racer

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do you make youre own timing tools?
« Reply #4 on: November 13, 2005, 10:39:29 am »
I'm with vwmike, the right tools are pretty cheap and you don't have to feel so ghetto. You can buy vw diesel timing tools on ebay for dirt cheap although I can't speak for the quality.

Reply #5November 13, 2005, 12:57:45 pm

vwmike

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do you make youre own timing tools?
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2005, 12:57:45 pm »
I bought a metric dial indicator with the adapter and extension off ebay. It also came with the cam and pump locks which I didn't really need (already had them), but the whole thing was something like $70 shipped from Germany. I can't complain. It has worked well so far.

Reply #6December 21, 2005, 08:47:59 pm

HJAlbert

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do you make youre own timing tools?
« Reply #6 on: December 21, 2005, 08:47:59 pm »
I bought the cheapest kit I could find on ebay.  It came with the Dial indicator and the adaptor, the cam locking tool, the injection pin, and the timing belt tensioner.  It was $75 plus about 8 bucks for shipping.  the quality of the guage is not great, and the tools are not "ergonomic" to the grop like some expensive tools (sharp edges) the locking plate and pin were perfect fits, and the guy has them with a buy it now of $75.  I got mine about 4 days after I paid.

Heres a link to his auctin page.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VW-Diesel-Injector-Pump-Timing-Gauge-Tools-Volkswagen_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43989QQitemZ4599272329QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Reply #7December 21, 2005, 09:08:24 pm

vwmike

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do you make youre own timing tools?
« Reply #7 on: December 21, 2005, 09:08:24 pm »
I've got a similar dial indicator adapter and I think I might buy a better one in time. I find it difficult to get repeatable results so it takes twice as long to time the pump. The lock bolt is not sufficient to hold the dial indicator still.