How to install VW 2 0L Timing Belt

Wonder what it takes to line up a VW 2.0L timing belt? Here's how I've been doing them for years.
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DO YOUR HOMEWORK before making a decision based on information you find on KZbin here, or anywhere else when it comes to your car or your safety. Failure to follow this counsel could result in a Darwin Award. While this video is educational, it's up to you to fully understand the topics discussed here or seek advice from professionals familiar with your situation.
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[@dangollbeater]

Best video I've found yet on the 2.0 timing belt install.

[@wavydave5001]

Damn dude.....best vdub timing belt vid i've ever seen But you left out the hard part. Getting that damn motor mount off....lol. Awsome job brian

[@johnpickens448]

Thanks for the video! Last year I got a 2002 New Beetle GLS 1.8T for $400 with a crashed head from the PO not changing the timing belt. 141k miles, then Wham!. Long story short, I got a reman. head for $500 on eBay and did the install myself. I'd never done such a complex engine job before, but your videos helped me make the decision to pull the trigger. I know you hadn't done this job on your videos before, but just the overall learnin you laid on me gave me the confidence to proceed. Thanks again.

[@wyattoneable]

Your one of the best at explaining the process, highlights and tips along the way. I don't own this type of vehicle but I stay for the comments. You never know what's coming. :)

[@mechanicone4327]

Awesome video very straight to the point and very detailed. I'm a mechanic as well about to do a timing belt on a 03 Beetle 2.0 never done so I'm watching videos to know what to expect beforehand.

[@paulmg4916]

Great video. I used snap ring pliers with electrical tape on the handle as a "special tool" for the tensioner

[@ororion]

took me months to find this; the most helpful timing belt video for this car. cheers

[@ezra8761]

This was so much useful straight detailed an calm voice to listing .. next time if u could start from the beginning and what to take off

[@keithgandy6748]

Thank you... you just made life so much easier with your explanation. Everyone says use a zip tie on the camshaft but never explain what why or how. Awesome video!

[@bbstacker70]

Great video, Brian. Good audio, and nice camera work. You're going to spoil us who have to watch videos that are so poorly done.

[@jhenson5168]

I did this last night. Was watching a different video, I found that marking the top tooth and the bottom tooth to that peg on the crank pulley, then matching the teeth to the new belt helped a bunch. Also, if you run everything up top, you can easily slide the belt onto the crank pulley. Figured that out after an hour of messing with it

[@endurday108]

I would like to see more on this. very cool video!!

[@lancelacroix5690]

Much more useful than the AllData description!

[@nikadoo3]

Thanks for the tips. I have successfully changed my timing belt.

[@alg1717]

Dude!, just changed the timing belt and water pump on my old ladys 2000 vw beetle, thanks a million for your video saved my bacon, made thing so much easier, keep up the great videos, your a natural at it, easy to follow along, great tips to, cheers bud

[@ReydioTube]

Great job, wish this vid was around when we did the timing service 😅

[@shannonbradley6396]

Keep up the vids Brian, you have very well rounded experience working on many different makes and models and not to mention the tractors, three wheelers and chainsaws. Also your vids are clear and well shot! I have learned much! Thanks

[@briansmobile1]

Thanks so much!

[@ikcilpazc9142]

I would like to see more footage on how to make this job easier!

[@andrewthompsonuk1]

I have learnt lots of stuff from your videos. You perfecally bridge the gap between confusing and unnecessary factory procedures to just getting it done properly. Also like your flying videos.

[@johnmauriks9991]

Thanks Brian! Your trick to get the new belt on the pulleys was the help I really needed. Runs like a charm!

[@cdoublejj]

DUDE!!!! Thank for showing how to check timing on the bottom crank GEAR!!!!!! you're the best!!! i look forward to just lining up the top tooth with the buttress.

[@THEMACINTOSH25]

This is by far the best video to explain what and why of how to do this job right!

[@ase2060]

This guys teaching method even a dog can do it. No joking.

[@neohere3986]

This video helped me a ton, very specific info and close ups are clear. Thanks dude

[@thebountyhunter2783]

The best video I have seen where you can see and understand how it is done.

[@rootbeer5539]

Best video out there. I’m super scared to attempt this

[@HAL-dm1eh]

Rocket surgery is amazing stuff, especially when you start getting into the osmotic pressure equation of blinker fluid!

[@mr__No]

Brain science is much more amazing.

[@charredskeleton]

Hey that's static pressure!

[@mccwho]

Thank you for removing the mystery around this job!!!!!

[@dave1135]

I wish more cars had that style of tensioner, I did a Hyundai and while it had a spring style tensioner that you pulled a pin out to release, the manual said to use a special tool and a inch pound torque wrench to set the preload on the belt, tighten the pivot on the tensioner, then pull your grenade pin. not too bad, but still more difficult than this

[@mc8976]

Best video I've seen on this....thank you. I would very much like to see your way of doing the whole job start to finish - thinking what's left out is the basic tear out of the engine to get to the timing belt. I've seen a few different ways so far.

[@romiehall8061]

I must say I love the way u put this video together well done good god am all the way in Jamaica and this was a good help to me to get my car back on the road

[@anthonybowling6309]

excellent video. thanks for explaining things in laymans terms. this video is very useful. thanks

[@shannonbradley6396]

Thanks for another great video Brian. If you can another toolbox tour would be awesome. Thanks!!

[@briansmobile1]

Sure, mine's not that great, but I've fixed a lot of cars with what I've got.... spread out among MANY tool boxes.

[@brackenwheatley4059]

Awesome thanks. I like how you get in depth with every step, I don't have to guess what you do because you explain perfectly, 😊

[@SGTPJ]

You saved me so much time thank you!!!

[@ReydioTube]

Woah dude 😯 (bonus footage)

[@paulgianni8528]

I would like to see more footage to make this job easier

[@brysonmurray9211]

Show us the mountain of extra footage! also thanks for the great walk through.

[@aygwm]

This is by far the best vid on this on KZbin. Good quality video and good narration. I can’t figure out where the observation window on the auto trans is though.

[@scottmorgan2155]

Aaron Garcia look at Astral Auto KZbin channel they cover over this in much greater detail.

[@auxmike]

Scott Morgan that’s a great video. Those two guys are hilarious, too! I really enjoyed that one...

[@OtisFlint]

Brian, When measuring the distance between pins or holes (like you were when giving the dimensions for the special tool) it is usually easier and more precise to measure the distance between the outside of the pins and subtract the diameter of one pin, or measure the inside dimension and add the diameter. Eliminates the guessing game of getting the caliper in the center of the pin. I get that you weren't trying to be super precise here, but just a tip!

[@briansmobile1]

Thanks Beans!

[@jeromevaneersel8491]

even better: measure pin - reset caliper-measure over pins to get the right distance straightaway... @@briansmobile1

[@lunasilverfangs989]

I'm buying a 2000 VW beetle that has this timing issue and the way you explain this it looks simple.

[@lopezmoreno100]

thanks for saving my day saw few videos and you the only one explain the marks. God bless you.👍

[@briansmobile1]

Thanks, you too!

[@thrasher305]

Thanks for the video. Turning the cam slightly definitely did the trick for install. Cheers

[@bobbobby5724]

Fantastic job Brian .

[@spelunkerd]

Excellent description, Brian! I liked that tip about how to identify direction of crank rotation by the relative location of the tensioner. Has that rule of thumb ever let you down?

[@briansmobile1]

Nope. That would be too risky for any manufacturer who dared a warranty on it.

[@RyanGralinski]

i always use the binder clips doing timing belts they work great!

[@kenmollison8288]

Agree with Wavy Dave- Best VW video. Second, Yes show more videos. Third- I have the BBW engine which has no marks and they say to use a bar to align the camshaft on back of the Cam. Any input on this? I have made my own marks so I think I'm good on the Cam. Yes the motor mount is the PITA.

[@rolshawnwilliams4426]

Just bought a trek and I appreciate this

[@mr__No]

I'd like to see more like taking the cover off and putting it back on and so on... I have so many questions... And when do you really know you water pump is broken.

[@DrDre001]

Good video! I had paid a shop to do mine since I was scared I might mess it up and cause damage to the valves or piston lol

[@briansmobile1]

Thanks! Hopefully I can help put that fear to bed.

[@mauriciofiladelfo3027]

I believe this is a non intefirance engine. So piston will never hit. Any body knows if I'm right?

[@jameswilliams7345]

I’ve had my tensioner slip due to improper install and had the motor turned all the way over on the cam to get it back In time and not a single issue. Def hard to turn the cam tho.

[@auxmike]

Dr Dre how much was the timing belt job cost?

[@karmatose]

This is timely. I just bought a beetle with a 2.slow motor.

[@AltruisticWarrior]

Super damn reliable. There's a video here on YT of a teardown of one and there's very few internal components to break compared to most modern engines. I've heard story's in the vw vortex forum of these engines lasting well over 500k. I guess they are super popular in South America and also used in some forklifts that get well over 600k running hours before needing a rebuild. Mine(CBPA variant) has had zero issues, knocking... nothing and I'm at 200k. Pair that with a manual like what I have and they last an extremely long time with minimal maintenance.

[@josephlofaso5746]

You took the mystery out if doing this. Thanks so much.

[@srlbotanical]

Excellent. I really appreciate you putting this together.

[@x-man4702]

Great video! Very helpful! Thanks for posting!

[@akliludebas9001]

Nice and clear video with excellent details good job bro

[@masonpugh3637]

This is a great video very instructive very thorough

[@KingHyp3]

I found an indentation on the bottom wheel, and another mark on the shield behind it, line the marks up for timing, I was lucky to find them, hope you are too

[@dirtydavesgarage8251]

This worked great, thanks for the tip!

[@silverado2500wr450]

So I had a customers 2013 Jetta 2.0 gas towed in for no start. 155,000 on the clock. timing belt teeth stripped off. Since there's no definitive mark on the crank, and it was out of time already, I set the crank to where you have it (lined up with the bolt hole). I see there's supposedly a notch in the bellhousing that you can use to find TDC. I found the notch under the bellhousing area of the flywheel, but don't see any marks that would identify TDC. cam is a pretty straightforward alignment setup. started engine, and isn't running very well. I've rechecked timing marks, and everything is still in alignment. So I'm assuming it's got bent valves. I ran it without the front covers and so forth, just to check to see if it would start and run good. If it did, i would have continued to put it back together. Was just wondering if not having the other pieces on would make it run any differently. In other words, just put a new belt on the pulleys and fired it up to see if it ran good. Was gonna try compression test, but plugs are not easy to get to.

[@Vacmasterthegreat]

Hey Brian, do you know if these are interference motors? Don't want to quote someone on doing the belt if they toasted valves.

[@billgrant906]

Great demonstration. Thanks much.

[@Bluestarseed1]

Thank you so much for the clarity

[@maxreigert3801]

Thanks for this video. I'm getting ready to do my timing on my Golf this weekend. Really appreciate this. If you have other info available on this I would like to check it out.

[@formulized94]

Awesome video, tremendous help!

[@tebohodiphoko9545]

Thanks Brian it was very helpful - much appreciated

[@jorgetapia439]

I wold like to see more of the footage I actually need to do this job to my car because my water pump is liking.

[@Codyhldn]

Your spelling 🤢

[@tdrewman]

OMG a VW without the Check Engine light on. I didn't know that was possible.

[@AltruisticWarrior]

Lol I've had mine 10 years, 200k miles later the only time I've had it come on is when the distributor failed at 180k and caused a misfire on 2/4. I have the 2.0 CBPA paired with a 5 speed standard on a base model. It's the perfect basic car really. Heater core is an hour labor, fuel pump? 30 min. The whole car is like that. A rare thing in the automotive world truly.

[@joerodriguez6048]

plain and simple thank you

[@danielngugikamau6757]

Very informative and helpful.......i really need that specialized tool for tightening the VW timing belt tensioner,question is how?? they are not available in Kenya......much appreciation form Nairobi,Kenya

[@patrikwengelin1079]

Thank you it is the same on my vw transporter t5 2,0 gasoline engin

[@jeffreymoore7729]

Im buying a vw beetle from a family member...needs lots of work, rumor on the street is=cars with these 2.0 have timing belt issues, judging by your video, I see why, if not done right, a driver can destroy an engine very easily...I guess a lot of shops do this incorrectly???

[@bdrichardson403]

Do u mean 'rocket SCIENCE' ? ...I think I'll start using 'rocket surgery' cause I smile each time u say it...and I like to mix up sayings just for the hell of it :-) Thanks for posting this and all your helpful, educational and easy to understand vids. Do you have an Indiana license plate?

[@briansmobile1]

I mean rocket surgery for the same reasons as stated. Thanks man! I used to live in Indiana, but getting a plate from you would still totally make my day!

[@paulgianni8528]

Great video

[@jifi-0178]

More mountains, please. More is betterer.

[@briansmobile1]

Can do! Do you like music, motor sounds, narration? What kind of watching experience do you want to see?

[@Geoffwhite18]

yes.. of course we want more flight footage!

[@briansmobile1]

I'm working on a winging it Wednesday video now.

[@palovlm07]

can i see the bonus footage to make the job easier ...i like your videos best.

[@bradnimbus4836]

Thanks Brian!

[@santanar79]

Thanks Brian.

[@superbobk12]

Exactly what I needed! Thanks! I subscribed to show support.

[@Clampmann]

just starting this job. Thanks for the info

[@LetsFixIT]

Good video

[@josefernandez2279]

Thanks man great help

[@hcooper267]

Thank you for this very good video,now I can do my after watch this amazing video.

[@jonsochiwara8233]

good video dude want to see more

[@02LM7]

Great video. How often do timing belts need changing on the 2.0L turbo?

[@subramanyamsarvepalli5294]

Cool job.

[@timothybuckley1176]

Excellent video

[@pietrangelozampicinini6988]

Very good tutorial!! Tho I lack that tool that looks like a beer opener....question....can I use something else? Diy style?

[@SamSam-ih6nt]

Another quality vid

[@fernandoramalho3644]

You need to replace the tensioner screw!!! Everytime you do a timing belt kit... if the the screw breaks....BANG....good bye! Dont forget the torque spec from the tensioner nut!!

[@PistonShack]

Thanks a lot Brian! I have done many timing belts done, I watched your video, then put need timing belt and tension process right easy. All work done right. Cheers! P.S: I was doing head gasket, new head . I filmed everything as well)

[@leapfrog4561]

PistonShack wow you used film? Lol

[@frayjc]

Will the Jetta timing marks have to line up on the compression stroke ??

[@migueltrejo3731]

This is a perfect video 💯💯

[@davejames2015]

Right to the point

[@donshade]

Nice! Did you have to remove the belt again to reinstall the motor mount support?

[@thetalentconnect3027]

Curious, could someone give a percentage chance of your timing belt failing but the valves don't bend etc? Or is it more than likely the case with an interference motor?

[@nicky85926]

If you think you messed up your valves perform a compression test or you can do a leak down test if visually inspecting it doesn’t provide sufficient evidence

[@AceHart91]

Can I just take off the tensioner pulley off without takin off belt also without taking the motor mounts off cause stretch bolts are supposed to be replaced each removal of the engine mount right

[@victorarenas128]

Tijuana B,C. ,México,, gracias.

[@mrmercedes-benz2145]

Awesome video thank you Boss

[@ernestlee9543]

Very informative, 💪

[@briansmobile1]

Glad you think so! Thanks!