300k_logician
Well-known member
Hello everyone, I'm new to the forum (full disclosure: I have been reading it anonymously for a while), and I have an issue with my timing belt.
I replaced it at 298,000, and it was probably overtensioned for 30 miles or so before I realized that was why the engine was making an odd 'roar', when I released the excess tension.
I have put 9,000 miles on it since, and reading in the TDI FAQ section, I was informed that inspecting the timing belt at every oil change is a good best practice.
I was bit bit complacent my last oil change, and I didn't double check the oil level after getting my car level on the ground, and I drove about 100 miles with less than appropriate oil levels. The next day before work, I checked it and panicked and dumped too much oil in. Sooo it was overfilled for 3,000 miles or so.
And now when I approached the engine to change the oil again, lo and behold, there was a nice splatter of oil right on the upper timing belt cover. And the belt appears to be about 3-4 mm offset around the injection pump (towards the engine). The camshaft pulley seems to have the belt on straight. The water pump is a bit offset. I can't see the crankshaft from the top. I didn't fully investigate which way the belt was rotating (it started to rain).
Typically, I baby the engine and keep it under 2,000 RPM unless I'm on the freeway or getting on. One such time in particular had the intercooler clog up and push it in limp mode (it was a steep on-ramp), and since the upper timing belt cover is warped directly over the injection pump where the oil splatter was, I'm inclined to think that it was related to the breather being over-pressurized. A few drops of oil did end up on the injection pump hoses.
Anyways...
Do y'all have any advice? I have drained the excess oil out, wiped the oil off the timing belt cover, taped the warp over with duct tape, and no new oil has shown up. Should I go ahead and change the belt? What rollers/pulleys would be the most likely to need replacement?
Thanks.
I replaced it at 298,000, and it was probably overtensioned for 30 miles or so before I realized that was why the engine was making an odd 'roar', when I released the excess tension.
I have put 9,000 miles on it since, and reading in the TDI FAQ section, I was informed that inspecting the timing belt at every oil change is a good best practice.
I was bit bit complacent my last oil change, and I didn't double check the oil level after getting my car level on the ground, and I drove about 100 miles with less than appropriate oil levels. The next day before work, I checked it and panicked and dumped too much oil in. Sooo it was overfilled for 3,000 miles or so.
And now when I approached the engine to change the oil again, lo and behold, there was a nice splatter of oil right on the upper timing belt cover. And the belt appears to be about 3-4 mm offset around the injection pump (towards the engine). The camshaft pulley seems to have the belt on straight. The water pump is a bit offset. I can't see the crankshaft from the top. I didn't fully investigate which way the belt was rotating (it started to rain).
Typically, I baby the engine and keep it under 2,000 RPM unless I'm on the freeway or getting on. One such time in particular had the intercooler clog up and push it in limp mode (it was a steep on-ramp), and since the upper timing belt cover is warped directly over the injection pump where the oil splatter was, I'm inclined to think that it was related to the breather being over-pressurized. A few drops of oil did end up on the injection pump hoses.
Anyways...
Do y'all have any advice? I have drained the excess oil out, wiped the oil off the timing belt cover, taped the warp over with duct tape, and no new oil has shown up. Should I go ahead and change the belt? What rollers/pulleys would be the most likely to need replacement?
Thanks.