OT - '88 Jetta (dohc) need new timing belt
 

Just got an '88 Jetta and I need to replace the broken timing belt. The front cover is totally kicking may @ss and I thought maybe someone might have a hint or two. Is the crankshaft pulley bolt on there with locktite? Is it left handed threads? I can't get the timing belt cover off because I can't get the main pully off. Help!!

Hello,
I don't know if it's the same as a SOHC GTi, but for mine it was also kicking my ass. Bentley manual wasn't of much help either. I found out there was a nut with a big round flat top (I'm sure there's a better name for that) that takes a 6mm allen wrench. For mine it was where the timing belt cover dips in a bit. If you need more help just ask. Good luck.

I have a 89 Jetta 8V. The timing belt cover is 2 parts. Upper and lower. It will be easier to get to the lower hex bolt if you remove the air box and air hose.

If the timing belt was broke on a 16V you will probably be doing a lot more then just the belt. They tend to react in about the same way as a 911 to a broken chain. A little cheaper but the same damage:(

PLEASE . . . tell me that the pistons weren't punching into the valves while the bottom end turned independently from the cams. Say it isn't so...http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/smileys/wat5.gif

How much is just a "little cheaper"??

I specialize in watercooled VW's so here's the scoop. You have 12 to 16 bent valves. Sorry! The 16v is an interference engine, unlike the 8v.
About the crank pulley, don't remove the 12 point 19mm bolt in the middle or else you will be pulling the crank timing gear with the pulley. Instead, you have to remove the 4 6mm allen bolts that secure the crank pulleys on the timing belt gear. Once those are off, the pulleys come off by hand. To remove the lower cover, there is 3 bolts and one nut, assuming the upper cover is off. You will have to remove the water pump pulley (3 6mm allen bolts) in order to remove the lower cover. The lower cover has a 5mm allen bolt just over the crank timing gear, a 10mm nut to the left of that, a 10mm nut to the right of that.
Hope this helps.

Thanks, Mike. One more question... Is it worth pulling the head off in the hope that the pistons and rod bearings are still good, or do I need to remove/overhaul the engine? About what would it cost in parts and machine work to do the job? Is it worth it for an 11 year old car? It's got about 130K miles; good body. By the way, you mentioned the 12 point 19mm crankshaft bolt. It has the old 6 point bolt. Happy holidays!!

Hey sms, I have done over two dozen broken 16v timing belts and never has it caused any damage in the bottom end. If the car is in good shape, it is worth it to fix it. I am not sure of the US models but here in Canada, the 16v Jetta is GTX/Trophy, which is a fully loaded, power windowed, heated Recaro seats, etc. car which is sought after. If you do the job yourself, feel free to email me any questions.
Happy Holidays