TorqFix

Timing belt replacement: Skoda Felicia, Octavia 1.6 (AEE)

Step-by-step timing belt replacement for the Skoda Felicia, Octavia 1.6 (AEE): 43 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.

This is the timing belt routine for the 8-valve AEE petrol engine in the Felicia and Octavia 1.6. The upper belt cover comes off, the belt is removed and refitted with the marks lined up, and tension is set at the tensioner pulley until its mark moves sideways into position. On the bottom end, the tooth with the ground-down end must line up with the mark on the oil pump, which is the reference that catches most people out if they only look at the camshaft. Two things decide whether it runs right: setting the tension on a cold engine, and handling the new belt without bending, twisting or stretching it. Afterwards the engine is turned through two full rotations clockwise, the marks are checked again, and the ignition timing is verified.

43 steps 1 engine code

🧭 Before you start

Remove the upper timing belt cover, line up the timing marks and take the belt off. Fit the new belt, set the tensioner so its mark moves sideways to the correct position, and turn the engine 2 rotations clockwise before checking the marks again. Refit the belt covers, crankshaft pulley and ancillary drive belt, then check the ignition timing.

Fits: Audi A3 (8V, 2012–2020); platform codes 1.6, |, 1.6I

  • Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job

Don't miss

  • The ground-down tooth on the crank sprocket must align with the mark on the oil pump.
  • Set belt tension only with the engine cold.
  • Do not bend, twist or pull the belt by hand during fitting.
  • Turn the engine 2 rotations clockwise and recheck all timing marks before refitting covers.
  • Check the ignition timing once everything is back together.
  • Never turn the engine backwards against a freshly tensioned belt; it can upset the tensioner setting.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

AEE

📐 18 workshop diagrams for AEE

Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.

Felicia/Octavia 1.6 (AEE) — AEE · diagram 1
Felicia/Octavia 1.6 (AEE) — AEE · diagram 2
Felicia/Octavia 1.6 (AEE) — AEE · diagram 3
Felicia/Octavia 1.6 (AEE) — AEE · diagram 4
Felicia/Octavia 1.6 (AEE) — AEE · diagram 5
Felicia/Octavia 1.6 (AEE) — AEE · diagram 6
Felicia/Octavia 1.6 (AEE) — AEE · diagram 7
Felicia/Octavia 1.6 (AEE) — AEE · diagram 8
+ 10 more diagrams
🔒 18 workshop diagrams for this job Ask about your Skoda AEE — free or sign up free to see the drawings

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

  1. Note: The engine must be cold before timing belt adjustment
  2. Note: Avoid bending, torsion or traction
  3. Remove the timing belt upper cover
  4. All models up to:
  5. Remove the timing belt
AEE? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →
  1. Tensioner pulley:

Installation and checks

  1. The tensioner mark should move sideways
  2. Turn the engine 2 rotations clockwise
  3. Note: The tooth with the end ground down must align with the mark on the oil pump
  4. All models from:
  5. Check the timing marks
  6. Refit the timing belt covers
  7. Refit the crankshaft pulley
  8. Fit the ancillary drive belt
  9. Check the ignition timing
Workshop diagrams

Ask TorqFix about your Skoda AEE — it answers with the exact sequence for that engine and the workshop drawing for each step. First question is free after a 20-second sign-up, no card.

Ask about your Skoda AEE — free → or sign up free to see the drawings

Other SKODA procedures

Who makes these pages, and how

TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.

The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.

Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.

Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com

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Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.