TheSamba.com :: View topic - 1996 jetta

Mon May 15, 2006 10:57 am

Just got my first water cooled vw - 96 Jetta - and have a couple questions I couldn't find answers to:

1. Are the spark plugs very hard to change? they look like they could be, do I need to remove a lot of stuff to get to them?

2. is there any way to idnicate how long ago the timing belt was changed? I have no documentation of it being done
edit - would a "conti" belt on there and not a VW belt indicate it HAS been changed?

3. Are the distributor cap clips suppossed to be a huge PIA to put back on?

thanks!

Mon May 15, 2006 5:50 pm

You have a waterboxer in a Jetta? :wink:

You probably don't know this but a boxer engine is a flat engine, and the only ones that VW made were the 1.9 and 2.1 liter engines in the 83-92 Vanagons. Subaru is the about the only other company that makes watercooled flat-4's. Your Jetta has an inline 4 cylinder. I'm assuming it's a 4 and not a VR6.

First of all, Ye Olde Stardard Advice: Go talk to Bob, or Robert if your prefer, as in Robert Bentley, publisher of the Offical Service Manual:

http://www.bentleypublishers.com/product.htm?code=VG99
(you can find older printings and used copies cheaper on eBay and other online used bookstores)

1. Spark plugs are kind of a pain - not nearly as easy as on earlier watercooled VW's. Plus if you try to pull the spark plug wires off without a proper tool that reaches down and grips the metal sheath, you can ruin them.

2. I'm not sure if VW used belts without the VW stamp on it on the later model watercooleds. How many miles are on the car, by the way? Does the belt have any "dry checking" on it?

3. You're right, distributor cap clips can be a PITA. Espcially if where the clips engage underneath gets a bit corroded or gunky. If they are stiff in movement, and with the cap out of the way, I'd spray some good pentatrating lube like PB Blaster at where those clips attach at the bottom, then "work" the clips back and forth til they move easier. That can help. I prefer to leave the dust shield in place under the distributor cap. Some people take it out so the cap sits further down and the clips pop on easier, but I'd rather have the shield on there, which also sort of functions as a gasket between there to keep moisture out as well. Anyway, back to getting the clips on, just make sure the cap sits firmly down with one hand, and it's a matter of contorting your body so you can lever both upward and inward on the clip with the other hand to get it to pop on there. Sometimes I've been able to find a way to use a long screwdriver to help in leverage, depending on what all happens to be in the way.

-Andy

Tue May 16, 2006 5:39 am

AHH, see shows how much I know - I thoguht ANY water cooled VW was referred to as a water boxer. Good to know!

It is a 2 liter 4 cylinder that just turned 105,000 miles.

Yeah I spent 4 hours putting the distributor cap back on... So much for a 10 minute job.

The belt doesn't look to be cracked, looks in good shape to my eye.

And to my wife's joy announced I am no longer working on anything in the engine compartment myself. I am planning on getting a manual as soon as I can though, just because I can't stand to not know how stuff works.

Thanks for the reply!
- Bill

Thu May 18, 2006 8:03 pm

as I own a 97 jetta and a 95 cabrio - both 2.0L's. I have owned the jetta since 99 when it only had 33k and now is at 206k with minimal expense over the last 7 years.

You should also replace the water pump when/if you do the timing belt.

Fri May 19, 2006 10:47 pm

bugsville wrote: would a "conti" belt on there and not a VW belt indicate it HAS been changed?

'Conti' is Continental, and they make the OE belts for VW. A Conti belt without VW markings means that it was likely changed at some point, and the person who did it cared about quality.

If you have no clue when it was done, I say do it ASAP; that way you know exactly when it was done, and can move on.

Wed May 24, 2006 6:34 pm

plasticman1432 wrote: bugsville wrote: would a "conti" belt on there and not a VW belt indicate it HAS been changed?

'Conti' is Continental, and they make the OE belts for VW. A Conti belt without VW markings means that it was likely changed at some point, and the person who did it cared about quality.

If you have no clue when it was done, I say do it ASAP; that way you know exactly when it was done, and can move on.

And write the mileage, on the belt's protection. This is what shops do in France, to know about timing belt changes.
BTW Have you checked about such numbers in yellow or white paint, near the belt ?