How to Change a Timing Belt on a 1996 VW Jetta
- 1). Disconnect the negative then the positive battery terminals. While working on your engine and handling components of the electrical system, it is important to disconnect the battery to prevent electrocution or being harmed by the cooling fan, which may still engage when the car is turned off.
- 2). Raise the passenger side of the vehicle with a jack and place a jack stand underneath the car. Remove the tire. Also remove the plastic splash shield which covers the lower pulleys to access the timing belt.
- 3). Loosen the adjuster nut on the power steering pump with the socket wrench so that you can remove the power steering belt. Also remove the alternator belt and the water pump pulley assembly before attempting to get to the timing belt cover. Consider replacing the water pump, power steering belt and alternator belt since you are already taking off those parts. You will also need to remove the airbox and the air injection pump assembly. The connections for the airbox can be snapped off then later clipped back on. The bolts connecting the airbox and air injection pump assembly can be taken out with a socket wrench.
- 4). Remove the bolts or clips from the timing belt cover. Use a socket wrench to remove the bolts securing the lower belt cover. Using an impact wrench, remove the bolt from the lower pulley. You will need to remove three Allen bolts connecting the lower pulley first to remove it. Then remove the valve cover to access the camshaft.
- 5). Remove the lock bolt for the timing tensioner underneath the camshaft gear with a 13 mm box wrench then loosen the timing belt by turning the tensioner counterclockwise.
- 6). Use a 3/4-inch socket to rotate the engine clockwise until the top dead center markers are in alignment with each other. When viewing the camshaft gear, you will see a mark notched into the gear. This should be rotated until it is in alignment with a similar mark on the engine block on the cylinder head cover mounts.
- 7). Remove the distributor cap and look for a groove or mark in the housing that points to the distributor gear. The mark on the distributor cap should line up with the mark on the distributor gear. Rotate the gear until the cap mark and the notch on the gear are in alignment with each other.
- 8). Rotate the intermediate shaft and crankshaft until the dimple on the intermediate shaft gear teeth is lined up with the notch on the crankshaft pulley wheel.
- 9). Place the new timing belt on the crankshaft gear prior to wrapping it around the camshaft gear. Tighten the belt by turning the tensioner clockwise until you cannot tighten the tensioner by hand any longer. Replace the timing tensioner lock nut so that the timing does not change with the engine vibrations.
- 10
Verify that the timing marks on the camshaft, intermediate shaft and crankshaft are still lined up correctly with each other. If they are not in alignment, you will need to remove the timing belt and put it on again. - 11
Reinstall the timing belt covers, valve cover, alternator belt, power steering belt, water pump pulley, air intake hoses and pump, then the battery terminals.
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