New timing belt and glow plug stripped

I just replaced my timing belt yesterday. (98 A3 AHU). I have Vag-com but I am not exactly sure how to check to see if the timing is in spec. It runs great but I want to double check it. I am driving 14 hours to Vermont Wednesday morning to go catch up with the storm so I'd like to look into this before then.

Also, I replaced all 4 glow plugs as one was throwing a CEL. I tightened them with a T-handle to make sure I wasnt stripping them. The far left (passenger side) plug is quite stripped and could be turned with the T-handle without much effort( looks as if previous owners mechanic was a hack job). I have put about 100 miles on the car since installation but I'm a bit worried about it. Is it necessary to remove the head to fix this?

Thanks in advance

Dave

Ginster17 said:

I just replaced my timing belt yesterday. (98 A3 AHU). I have Vag-com but I am not exactly sure how to check to see if the timing is in spec.

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Do you have a registered version? If so, VAG-COM now has a graph function that will show you where your timing is. So easy.

If you're not registered, there's a measuring block that shows how much the ECU has to adjust the pump to achieve the desired start of injection. You can adjust the pump to minimize that value; that will put you right in the middle of the proper range. I forget the block name, though...

Look at blocks 2 and 9 in field 00, basic settings. One number fuel temp, the othe timing. Aim for the timing in the 50-50 range.

If the glow plug is holding, and you're not leaking big compresison, don't dink with it. It can be helicoiled in place if you're very careful about the shavings.

I do have a registered version of Vag-com. Fully warmed up I am showing 23-24 and 194 in blocks 2 and 9 respectively.

My Bentley came a few days ago. Unfortunately its only a 97 and earlier version and does not include any info on the TDI engines. Is this within specs? Thanks for the help

Nope, timing is pretty retarded. Take block 2 up to 55-60 by adjusting the pump. Push pump toward rear of car to do so.

Ginster17 said:

I do have a registered version of Vag-com. Fully warmed up I am showing 23-24 and 194 in blocks 2 and 9 respectively.

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You're in Basic Settings, right? After you've logged in?

If you have the latest VAG-COM, you should be able to find the TDI Timing graph: http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-scope/TDIGraph.html