Well, the timing belt was extremely loose.. so I figured that it probably jumped a tooth to get the timing off. I have not turned the crankbolt counter clockwise to try lining up timing so I haven't loosened it.. not sure if it was done by previous owner.. Let's hope not.
It does take like 150 ft-lbs to break the crank bolt loose, for what it's worth. I still wouldn't want to use it to turn the engine backwards though.
LOL. at the 150ft-lbs... seen and delt with way too many old style 1.5/1.6 crank sprockets to say that.. one of the reasons they went with the newer style ones that fail on aaz.. its just a weak design.. that was improved till aaz.. then still was not good enough.. so tdi design came out..
and no i was saying incase a po did it.. you not had the vanagon long enough..