Timing Marks

[Truckdriver09]

I have a 1997 volkswagen passat TDI

I am in the process of removing the timing belt to replace it and I looked at the timing marks on the timing belt tensioner that is already on the car and they seem like they are way off.

I am not familiar with this car at all and I just wanted to make sure that the tension on the belt is created by lining up the slot and the tab (what I circled), correct? If I line up the 2 marks and there isn't very much tension, does that mean that the tensioner is bad? Also, I see in the timing belt removal guide, it mentions that you need to loosen the tensioner all the way counterclockwise before tightening it...how far counterclockwise will it go? will I know when it has loosened up all the way?

Thanks

[Seatman]

Loosen the nut that holds the tensioner counter clockwise.

Don't worry about where the marks are now, it's where they are after you've fitted the new belt you need to be concerned with. The belt stretches over time so it'll always be out and it is recommended to replace the tensioner at the same time as the belt. You usually just by a timing belt kit with everything in it.

[chittychittybangbang]

What does "they are way off mean" how far, 3 mm or 2 cm?

Tensioner has internal stops, once you turn it you'll immediately feel them.

[Truckdriver09]

Sorry I completely forgot to post up the picture. So, lining up the timing marks is what sets the tension for the belt?

[chittychittybangbang]

yes, if you check out mk4 TB DIY, it has a short vid of tensioner action.

[Truckdriver09]

I was setting the timing to be on TDC so I can prepare to remove the timing belt and this is the result that I got. The marks on the transmission are not lining up, it almost seems like the belt may have possibly jumped a couple of teeth. The camshaft lobes are not touching the lifters and they are creating a "V", and the camshaft lock is in the groove in the camshaft and still the marks on the transmission are off.

Any suggestions on what to do from here?

[chittychittybangbang]

Good question! That's nothing to worry about. Remove belt and manually move crank(flywheel) back to TDC. The belt has stretched or the timing was a little off from the last change. One timing belt tooth is more than a single gear tooth on the flywheel if you count the degrees. I'll reread the article to see if it needs any more edits to make this clear.

[Truckdriver09]

Thank you very much! I think it is because the belt has stretched. When I was rotating the motor to get TDC, I had to apply downard pressure on the belt while I was rotating it, otherwise it seemed like it was going to start jumping the teeth.

Thanks!

[Truckdriver09]

When I loosen up the bolt holding the camshaft sprocket, if the camshaft rotates a little once the bolt breaks loose, is it safe to rotate the camshaft counterclockwise to once again line up the timing marks, or do I have to rotate it clockwise?

[Seatman]

Haven't you locked the cam shaft first? You lock it then loosen the cam bolt to allow the sprocket to move when tensioning the timing belt, once done you retighten it.