[Vwdiesel] Rabbit droppings # 82 --- ( Timing belt jumpings )

[H.Hagar]

The sudden tragic death of a fine 2000 TDi       more or less got me to write
this thread.

The timing belt is a source of paranoia , to lot of us.  The very first VW diesel
I saw had no beltcover in place. And knowing how close the valves in a diesel
gets to pistons , I got paranoid. Like NO trip anywhere without a new belt.
At the same time there were at least two VW's here in the sticks that I saw
personally.  Both with valves bent all over the place.Due to broken belts.

Very important :  If you have valves kissing pistons  -------- remove cam folower
and inspect carefully with magnifying glass. (mechanical lifters) Look for minute
cracks radiating from center.

As soon as I get out of sick-bay -(if I ever) I shall do a test on the engine in front
(on test-stand) to see how many teeth can be slipped on belt before valve contact.

Hagar.

PS :  The VW's I looked at - both pistons and heads survived.(not a pretty sight).