VR6 timing - priming the tensioner

How to prime the new hydraulic chain tensioner in your VR6.
#vr6 #diy #vw #volkswagen #car #build #project

[@nickrobinsonaws732]

I had a Jetta with a 5 speed vr6 when I was like 20. I didn’t even know what I had, I’m so upset with myself for treating it like shit and blowing it up. I went to buy it thinking it was a 1.8 not knowing anything about VW’s, I got a stupid deal on it, and then ran it into the ground. I’ll never get over it 😂 2003 Jetta 5 speed vr6, black, black leather everything, wood grain, clarion touch screen, all JL Audio speakers, JL Audio 4 channel amp, JL Audio stealth box, nice drilled/slotted rotors, Long Beach wheels, all for $2800. The guy was loaded and just didn’t want it, I was kind of upset it wasn’t the 1.8 at first until I read about the vr6 a little but I just wasn’t as into cars as I am now. Goddamnit now I’m mad 😂

[@BonusParts]

Aint that how it goes. I treated my first Mk3 Vr6 like that, and now I have another one just the same that I'm trying to well care for. Dying breed

[@jeffkoch8612]

Good tip Matt

[@maxrudy8830]

Im ngl... ive never done this. Kill power to fuel pump and crank it for a bit. (Pull fuse or unplug whatever you wanna do) fire it up and power is back and good to go. Sometimes i just bump the key a bunch before it fires a bunch. Works everytime

[@BonusParts]

The point is to have oil in the tensioner to begin with so when you crank it over (without it firing) the chain has some actual tension vs just the spring inside the piston

[@maxrudy8830]

@BonusParts I really am not trying to get too argumentative but the spring is tension. That's why it's there. It might not be as much but under cranking/cold start the spring does more than enough. Oil pressure acts as a linear growth in tension that naturally comes with rpm under acceleration. It's designed that way. Do you think that that tensioner holds oil overnight when you shut it off? I can tell from experience with taking them apart that they are not full of oil on a cold motor. They bleed down very quickly(could depend on the motor) after they are shut off.

[@maxrudy8830]

@BonusParts BUT... it doesn't hurt to do what you did. So at the end of the day I'm arguing with myself 🤣

[@BonusParts]

@maxrudy8830 I can tell you first hand they don't bleed dry of oil. The one from this engine had oil in it after having sat for 2 months without running. Quite different than having a dry tensioner with nothing but air and a spring in it.

[@maxrudy8830]

@BonusParts right right. They definitely don't bleed dry. But if you think filling them with oil gets oil pressure quicker all I'm saying is marginally so. Oil pressure comes all the way from the sump. Simply filling it with oil does not give oil pressure on start up.

[@ethandanecki7835]

Damn I just sent mine in 😂😂😂

[@BonusParts]

Always wise to prime, same thing with valve lifters always wanna soak em so they're full of oil