Hello everyone! I am new to this forum. I just bought a 2001 TT as a project ride and thought I would join up. As a hobby I do instructional car videos on YouTube. The first thing I look at when I buy a project ride is all of the maintenance items that have not been done. I always start with the Timing since it is so vitally important. Anyway. I wanted to share my firs major video on the TT. I hope it helps anyone that might be looking into a DIY job on it to same some money.

Here it is:

Thanks!

Ry the Car Guy

 

While many will appreciate the effort you put forth in producing your video, like most no charge videos, it can mislead and sometimes omit steps that can cause bad results.

The $200.00 timing belt replacement kit that includes a water pump can't be anything close to being dependable as OEM parts. Metal impeller or not, it will likely leak at the bearing before the recommended belt replacement interval. I know the kit says Gates, and Gates is a good brand (AFAIK, both Gates and Conti were the OEM belt suppliers to VW/Audi for the 1.8L AWP, BEA etc engines). But that water pump can't be close to OEM quality, OEM remanufactured ones cost about $200.00 alone and have a core charge so they can be rebuilt.

Also, you should have pointed out that the green coolant that drained out of the engine was incorrect and the engine required a good flushing before closing the drain valve back up and the procedure for adding the proper coolant which is pink/red or purple.

As for the floor jack/wood block versus the proper engine support bar, those aluminum oil pans are pretty delicate, there is a risk of breakage. Harbor Freight has one that is quite a bit cheaper than a floor jack. ECS Tuning offers an even better one for not a whole lot more.

The proper steps, shown in the Bentley service manual instructs you to raise and lower the engine slightly during certain steps to easily remove and replace the engine support and to align the belt on the marks on both the crank & camshaft pulleys. I don't understand those paint marks you made either. I've replaced five of these belts on both a TT and New Beetle and simply used the mark on the valve cover as well as the lower cover back plate.

You just need to mention to rotate the engine by hand via the crank pulley four or five complete revolutions to verify no contact between the valves & pistons. Then verify the timing marks still line up perfectly.

A video needs to show the biggest PITA step, actually installing the belt onto the cam & Crank pulleys as well as the water pump and idler. The service manual indicates a different order than you show which is the proper way to perform this.

Again, I, as well as others appreciate your efforts here. It's just that these videos seem to have the intent of replacing a service manual. There is no substitute, unless you cover everything including the tightening torques especially the water pump mounting bolts as well as as a detailed procedure for the Stretch Bolts (AKA Torque to Limit bolts) installation.

The timing belt tensioner pulley as well as serpentine belt tensioner have torque specs that need to be followed. Maybe a note to follow the service manual procedures is mandatory and use the video as a secondary reference.

One more time, thanks for the video. You should consider at least mentioning refer to the Bentley manual for detailed steps or AllData, which uses the Bentley Manual procedure and diagrams etc.

 

A few things. First off, thanks for your honest feedback.

First, my videos are never a replacement for the manuals. I think that is obvious when I get to the point of replacing the belt then end the video by saying "reverse your steps". I use the Bentley manual for all of my work and my videos serve to help visualize the steps. I'm sorry you think that this is meant to replace a manual. No where did I ever say that.

Next, the coolant. It must be the lighting in the video but my coolant is orange. Not sure where you saw green. I didn't mention it because it was not green.

The engine mount. We can agree to disagree there. Everyone has a floor jack, the engine mount is extra $$. Engine holders don't replace jacks.

Next, You asked about the markings. You not have to rotate the motor 5 times when you use the marking method because if you mark the belt, transfer the markings, and replace the belt using the markings it's impossible to be out of time. Unless one of the two gears made an entire revolution with you noticing it. Which is also impossible..

Lastly, I didn't show the belt going on because it was easy, I just explained the order of the gears to put it on and how to do it. To be fair, the Bentley manual does not even tell you that much. I think it says something to the affect of "replace the toothed belt"...

Again, Thanks for the feedback!

 

I also threw this into the description of the video.

REFER TO AN APPROVED MANUAL FOR FULL STEP OUTLINE AND DETAILS FOR THIS PROJECT. THIS VIDEO IS NOT MEANT TO REPLACE A FACTORY SERIVCE MANUAL.

I totally agree that it should be clear that its not a replacement.

 

Welcome and thanks for the video! I have a 150,000 mile 2001 coupe that I have paid my mechanic to do the TB service twice. Each time I bought the kit from Dieselgeek with the metal impeller water pump. No problems.
I just bought a 52000 mile 2001 Roadster and plan to do that one myself. I'm retired now and have time to do it. Your video will come in real handy. I have the Bentley manual and wasn't worried but it is nice to have the video too. The only warning I would give folks is that it is simply a helpful guide and does not contain every specific that an inexperienced person might need to perform this rather complicated procedure.
Several years ago BlueTTop posted a how to here with lots of photos. Many have used it but the photos are not accessible any more.
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/tt-...steps-1961739/
I'm gonna post a link to your video over on Quattroworld.com TT Mk1 too as most of the old TT crowd is over there.
Thanks again and enjoy the TT. They are kind of special. ( and habit forming :-) )

 

Thanks. I appreciate the link.