ALH Timing Belt Tensioning

Hello fellow DIY enthusiasts,

For quite some time, I've been reading in this forum and have already learned a lot.
My name is Borys, I am 33 years old, and I work as a database administrator near Trier.

Two weeks ago, I said goodbye to my Golf III, which had a 64 horsepower 1Y engine.
As you might be able to tell from my signature, I'm currently driving a Golf IV Variant ALH with 90 horsepower and 96,000 kilometers (you can really feel the difference!).

This vehicle is equipped with air conditioning.

Now I have a worrying feeling about the tension of the V-belt.
As far as I can tell, there are 2 V-belts on my [machine/device].

1. For the alternator and power steering, see below.
2. for the top of the climate control compressor.

Is it normal for the upper serpentine belt to be that tightly tensioned?
You can barely bend it with your finger.

Are the belts tensioned using automatic tensioners, or is it done manually?
Unfortunately, I couldn't find anything specific using the search function.

There is a very faint running noise coming from the grinder and the air conditioning compressor (pump).

I would be very grateful for a tip.

Regards,

Borys.

Hello again.

I've looked at everything again and realized that I still lack some knowledge about ALH engines.

1. There is only one type of V-ribbed belt, even with air conditioning.
2. This is tightened using an automatic tensioning roller.

Is there a pictorial guide available online for replacing the timing belt?
I only saw one on the bus, and I can't find it anymore.

What books would you recommend to me?
I have an 'So wird's gemacht' manual from Etzhold for a Golf 3 diesel, but I don't find it very good because it's missing a lot of information. (It sometimes includes pictures of cylinder heads from the gasoline engine).
Actually, what's needed is a workshop repair manual.

There is also a regularly updated repair manual, consisting of 2,500 pages on a CD, available from E**Y.
10 €.

By the way: For the Golf ALH, the timing belt replacement interval is only every 120,000 km (approximately 75,000 miles) starting with the model year 2002.

I have spare part numbers, among other things (I don't want to do any advertising here), available at:

http://www.contitech.de/ct/contitech/themen/produkte/antriebsriemen/kfz_ersatz/docs/TechnNews04_11_d.pdf

found.

So, in the technical articles, there's a linked guide on how to replace the timing belt, which describes the procedure for the Golf IV ALH engine.
Don't underestimate it, it's a lot of work. You have limited space and have to remove many parts. You'll need an engine support device because the right engine mount needs to be removed. Also, you'll need wrenches with an external hex key. And of course, the usual tools for a timing belt change, a ruler, and a setting pin.
The "How-to" guide describes the process partially, while the "DIY" guide does not. The best option is an original instruction manual from VW.

And then, a word of caution from me.

"Partially" described... back in the day, with my Golf 2, a camshaft cost me a fortune.
Not every step was explained, but the ones that were explained seemed to cover everything.

So, I ended up ruining the cam with the adjustment tool. Instead of saving money, I ended up spending a lot and learned a lot, but it was a painful lesson.

"I recently replaced the timing belt on my 1Z, but it's much easier than on the ALH engine because there's no engine mount in the way, and I had a former VW employee who's a mechanic helping me in the garage."

m;

Hello and thank you for the answers.

@Holger247

Yes, you're right, I definitely don't want to underestimate it.
My experiences so far:
Replaced the timing belt twice on a Golf 1 and a Jetta 1, both diesel models.
1 time ZR (timing belt) for a Golf 3 naturally aspirated diesel engine.
Engine set to TDC (Top Dead Center). All other measurements done without a gauge or mandrel, only a mark on the ESP (Electric Spark Plug) gear.
Certainly, it's not comparable to ALH.
Could the timing rotor be replaced on an ALH engine in this way? (And then taken to a workshop to have the injection timing adjusted?)
And what about those crazy nuts!? (Engine mounts?)

@dieselmartin

A Noke crumbled when I used a spirit level. How did that happen?


Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

'Hello'

Well, people often start using a ruler ("lineal") too early, either out of fear or because of a misleading description.

If you then turn the still-attached timing chain somewhere else, it will transmit more force than the cam lobe can withstand within the groove of the linear scale.

I already had the ruler when I was loosening the pulley.

m;