93 Eurovan Timing

[Diar33]

Hi there everyone,

The timing belt on my 93 EV broke and took some valves with it

I've already managed to change the head and am back to timing it. I'm having a really hard time trying to figure out what the correct timing is. Looking at the flywheel through the little window on top, I've tried timing it to several places in between what I believe are the "VW Special tool" marks, but it wont run at a decent rpm(it's usually at 2k or so). There is a dash mark (like | ) which I think is usually the 6deg BTDC on VWs. There is also a dimple (usually TDC), but it's far away from the VW Special Tool area and wont even start when timed to that mark.

I think this was probably put back together wrong at some point before I owned it. Is there a way to time it by looking at the front pulley?

Is there anyone who can point me in the right direction or show me some pictures? This is the 2.5L 5cyl AAF engine.

Thanks in advance!

[tds3pete]

I am suprised you lost some valves with a timing belt break on an AAF. To my knowledge it is a non-interference engine, unlike the ACU which came over in 95.

I believe they both share the same timing marks. At TDC there are three indications: On the balancing pulley at the crankshaft there is a mark, on the camshaft drive pulley there is a line visible through the slit in the shroud, and the flywheel has a mark above the teeth.

When I replaced my timing belt, I just made sure that I was at TDC and could easily see the one on the camshaft pulley and on the balancing pulley. I did not check the timing porthole for the one on the flywheel. The Bentley shows a mark there.

It could be a PO did not get the timing belt on properly and the camshaft is off. That's what I would check first.
_________________
'58 Westy camper-come and gone
'73 Westy-bought new in Holland,now gone
'86 Syncro weekender-come and gone
'79 Westy...Oscar
'95 Eurovan Camper/5 spd...Marsha Mellow

[Diar33]

Thanks for the reply!

On the balancing pulley, what does the mark look like? There is one "spoke" that looks different than the others, does that line up with the line on the lower timing belt cover? Also, should it be pointing towards the ground or upwards towards that line?

I've found the camshaft timing mark, my trouble is with the crankshaft mark

I ordered the Bentley CD today, but I would love to get it going as soon as possible.

Thanks again!

[tds3pete]

The balancing pulley has a notch in the "back" lip as you are facing it. The notch lines up with a line behind it. I think it is about at "one o'clock" as you face it, but I really don't remember exactly.

The picture will be in your Bentley on page C 13-15. That picture shows all three TDC locations. I marked these locations with a dab of bright paint so it is now easy to get back to TDC.
_________________
'58 Westy camper-come and gone
'73 Westy-bought new in Holland,now gone
'86 Syncro weekender-come and gone
'79 Westy...Oscar
'95 Eurovan Camper/5 spd...Marsha Mellow

[Diar33]

Thanks, I'll see if I can find that mark as soon as I get home!

I'll let you know how it goes.

[Diar33]

Alright, I'm fairly certain I have the timing right. I used the error-proof method of putting the first piston ALL the way up, with the valves completely closed. I was also able to find all the marks and put the belt on just right so that they are lined up perfectly.

It seems to run a lot like it used to, though it's hard to say. I only drove it 2 weeks before the belt went last November and it's been in the garage since then, so my memory of it is a little fuzzy.

My one remaining concern is that it still seems to idle very high. I have it timed with a timing light and turned down the accellerator cable as far as I could without having it run rough. It still seems to stay around 1500RPM or so? Anyone have an idea on this?

My bentley still hasn't arrived what should I expect the idle to be? I was thinking something in the 900 range was appropriate.

Also, I did see in several places on the internet that this shouldn't be an interference engine. I also saw somewhere (I'll see if I can find it) where someone else reported bent valves. I can clearly see on my old head (I just got a good used one to replace it) 3 bent valves with piston marks on them. They're not bent so bad that it's easy to see but if you try to close one of these valves you will notice it doesn't quite seat correctly. Please don't take the chance, do your timing belt maintenance!

Thanks again!

[tds3pete]

Idle of 900 is right. I can't give you a lot of help on the idle issue, in that I haven't had to troubleshoot that problem.

From the chatter is see on idle issues, there are several reasons possible since the ECU gets idle speed input from more than one source.

You might want to post this idle question on the EV Update site on Yahoo, also.............it gets a lot more Eurovan traffic.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/ev_update/
_________________
'58 Westy camper-come and gone
'73 Westy-bought new in Holland,now gone
'86 Syncro weekender-come and gone
'79 Westy...Oscar
'95 Eurovan Camper/5 spd...Marsha Mellow

[Diar33]

Thanks, awesome link! I've been going through older posts for a few hours now and I've found a lot of great info and a few things I'd like to try before posting myself. I'm pretty confident I'll be able to figure this out with the wealth of information there.

Thanks again!