timing belt

[Seatman]

@ Jostal Why the attitude? You sound like you're really annoyed because people care wether or not your car runs good. As said you can do it without tools, a lot of people can but you also have to remember that the majority of people who come along looking for advice don't neccesarily have as much experience at working on cars. The idea of the tools (which you can make yourself) is to aid in doing the TB, to make sure things go together as accurate as possible. You DON'T have to take advice, that's your call. I have installed many TB's on loads of cars and when it comes to most diesels there's no room whatsoever for any mistakes. As said there's no clearance a tooth either way, try it if you don't believe it. Also these tdi cars are designed to be a lot more efficient than the older machines and getting the timing spot on really can have fairly big effects. Starting issues, economy, not burning a hole in a piston etc.
Also
[quoteI didn't fine tune my car with a VCDS and it doesn't make a difference[quote]
you can't say stuff like that unless you've actually tried it. I for instance have improved my mpg and 0-60, my car starts better than it used to and I have more top end power all because I used vagcom to fine tune things.

[Ol'Rattler]

With the "Mark and Pray" method you can get close but the probability of getting it wrong is very real. The cost of the tools needed is really insignificant so that is what I do.......................

[Jostal]

First off! enough with the it will cost you $2,500 in engine damage (complete long block) if you don't use the tools. YES that is a possibility, but then also the Russian Space station could fall and hit my house too. The fact is any dumb " GUMP" who works on his or her own car runs the risk of damaging something that will cost them money no matter what instruction or tools. OK now that were done with the obvious that you COULD POSSIBLY do damage so work on your own cars at your OWN risk.

@seatman- yea I have tried it. I just did it on my car with no "noticeable" difference in gas mileage or performance.
" remember that the majority of people who come along looking for advice don't neccesarily have as much experience at working on cars."
Yes that is correct that's why I try to be one voice saying yes it can be done, because that's what i was looking for when I came here. All I was trying to say is that it can easily be done without tools. Everyone on here seems to be sooooo upset about that. YES is is worth the money I saved. I would do it again any day. Vacuum is a great way to tune but it's no more accurate then doing the t_ belt minus tools. soo what exactly is your point, you use the tools to do the belt then adjust it with vacuum. I'm not seeing how that's up to your so accurate standards.

OL rattler again don't criticize other people because you can't. Your ignorant " Mark and Pray" remark really shows how much experience you don't have. maybe your the person seatman was referring too.

[Ol'Rattler]

Originally Posted by Jostal

OL rattler again don't criticize other people because you can't. Your ignorant " Mark and Pray" remark really shows how much experience you don't have. maybe your the person seatman was referring too.

"Mark and Pray" is a well understood term coined by a very experienced TDI mechanic from another forum that has fixed numerous botched timing belt jobs.

Usually these car show up at his shop on a hook or running poorly after having the T/B done by a shop that doesn't have a clue about TDI's. These FUBARed cars will usually have paint marks on the T/B sprockets.

So, about all I can really say is congrats on using the "Mark and Pray" method and not FUBARing your car................

[P.h. Diesel]

"no affect to gas mileage" Jostal

Why in the world would you put gas in a TDI?

Your mileage would definitely suffer!