I replaced de HG on my 82 Rabbit, but now I'm having a hard time to put back the timing belt, I didn't take it from the engine, just the top portion, to remove the head.
My question is if is possible to put back the timing belt this way, or I have to remove the belt entirely?
I didn't want to replace the timing belt, because was changed recently.
Thanks
I believe if you loosen off your tensioner a bit you can put it back on.
You don't need to remove the belt. Loosen the tensioner and remove the cam pulley. You'll need to slide the belt onto the cam pulley (as well as all the others) while the cam pulley is still off.
You defintly can do this, I did it a few weeks ago for the exact same reasons
Make sure everything is in time, the slighest tooth off and the motor will take a kick harder than you think.
The easiest way is to leave the tensioner loose, and slowly edge the belt onto the IP, Cam, Crank and Tensioner....
Make sure the belt is tight, a quick way to check, is by taking the belt by your fingers and checking to see how flexible or how much vertical movement the belt will have ( this is hard to explain). as long as it is with a 1/4 " then you are good........
start the car with the timming cover off and make sure it is ridding straight, no wobble and no flapping belt's ( lol if they are flappin the motor is prob done), check the belt for marks, chips, holes, etc and if it looks ***e just change the belt for piece of mind.
Also make sure the cover for the timming belt does not have any sharp edges, over time this will cut the belt and well..... Crunch
Turn the engine twice by hand before even thinking of touching the key though
Yes I forgot to mention that, make sure there is no clearance issues, Ie valves interfering with Pistons.
Make sure you line the pump up perfectly aswell, or it will run like junk.....
If you touched the fuel filter at all, and there is air in the lines, the car with make alot of noise and smoke, until the air is purged out of the pump......